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4:12 Summer Mission Trip Opportunities
Mission Trip Details:
2012 Theme: You Are Here. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength...Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." - Mark 12:30-31.
St. Paul
Grades: 6 to 12
The city of Saint Paul, is the capital of Minnesota and lies on the north bank of the Mississippi River. Scenic lakes offer year-round recreation and arts and culture are prominent in the city’s diverse neighborhoods. Look beyond the many downtown corporations, however, and you will find members of the community who struggle with poverty and homelessness. Your group will minister to children and elderly residents of Saint Paul, and partner with local homeless shelters and other social service programs to love and serve in Jesus’ name.
DemographicsSaint Paul is located on the north bank of the Mississippi River and is adjacent to Minneapolis, Minnesota. The population of Saint Paul is 287,151, and along with its “twin” city, Minneapolis, and their surrounding suburbs, the region has 3.2 million residents. Founded near historic Native American settlements as a trading and transportation center, the city rose to prominence when it was named the capital of the Minnesota Territory in 1849. Though Minneapolis is more nationally recognized, Saint Paul contains important institutions and the state's political activity. The summer months provide fun for visitors to enjoy the many parks and lakes of Saint Paul, in the winter months Saint Paul is known for the Winter Carnival, originating in 1886. The Landmark Center in downtown Saint Paul hosts many cultural and arts organizations. The city’s school district is extremely diverse with students from families speaking 70 different languages, with over 11 percent of Saint Paul families living below the poverty level. Come explore this beautiful city and enjoy a life-changing experience as you minister with and to the people of Saint Paul.
About the Ministry
Participants serve in a variety of ways during a YouthWorks mission trip. Students may spend all week at one service site or switch between sites during the week. Our goal in partnering with local service organizations and programs is to address the very basic needs of residents. Students may serve at places like: Children’s Programs, Elderly Centers, Soup Kitchens/Homeless Shelters and Thrift Stores. We cannot confirm until all groups arrive exactly what service opportunities your students will be a part of during the week. We ask that you come with a willing and flexible spirit!
Activities
Evening activities during a YouthWorks week are designed to give participants an insight into the lives of local residents and the culture of the area. A list of evening/cultural activities we have done in the past include: Tour St. Paul Cathedral and MN History Museum; listen to a community speaker; relax at a local park; and attend a community cookout. These are examples of what your group might partake in during your mission week. These examples are subject to change due to weather or availability. In case of change, suitable substitutes will be provided. We try to arrange for free evening activities, but from time to time, an additional cost may be required for an activity. Please plan to bring an additional $10 per person to cover any extra costs. We will confirm the details closer to your trip.
Ministry Week
Local Service Partnerships.
Mileage
Our site in St. Paul is 10 miles from the Minneapolis/St.Paul International Airport.
Transportation & Travel
Each group is responsible for transportation to and from the site, and during the mission week. St. Paul can only accommodate standard 15 passenger vans or smaller.
Additional Information
If you would like more information on what there is to do in Minnesota and surrounding areas before or after your trip, visit the following Web site: www.exploreminnesota.com.
First United Methodist Church
1298 Seventh Avenue
Marion, Iowa 52302
(319) 377-4856