Every time someone encountered the resurrected Jesus in the New Testament, they changed. They did something, they didn’t just think about it.

This is the story of one of YouthWorks’ summer staff alumni, Danielle. When I originally applied to work for Youthworks, I had no intention of living in the community where I was placed for more than a summer. I was a 19-year-old from the suburbs of Minneapolis and a sophomore at a little private college full […]

Your students will have unforgettable experiences on your mission trip. Here are some really helpful ways you can capture their stories and use them to encourage others in your church. 

Executive Director Erica Schimelpfenig describes YouthWorks’ mission of connecting teens to God, one another and communities through life-changing, Christ-centered mission trips in this conversation with the ELCA Youth Ministry Network. Below are highlights from that conversation, or you can watch the full webinar above. A focus on teenagers “We make sure we are connecting with […]

Francisco Becerra-Lanza participated as a teen volunteer on two YouthWorks mission trips in Minnesota and South Dakota. He shares his reflections about communities and service: “I’ve learned that it’s rough all over. From the YouthWorks trips, I learned how important it is to humble yourself, be more appreciative of what you have and be kind […]

As we get ready to mobilize 25,000 teens and their leaders to do service this summer, I am struck by the fact that communities still need more volunteers. Week after week, we get calls or emails from new communities who are asking and pleading with us to come alongside them in serving the people of […]