Each spring, our ministry has the privilege of welcoming a team of high school students to Phoenix for a week of serving alongside our staff and refugee neighbors. Throughout the week, they jump into English classes, help host community events for refugee children, complete service projects, and most importantly, build relationships with people from cultures and backgrounds very different from their own. As the group leader told us, what made the experience so meaningful was that students weren't simply observing ministry—they were invited to participate in it from day one, discovering that people are never projects but neighbors worth knowing.
We often talk about investing in the next generation, but one of the best ways to do that is by giving young people opportunities to experience God's heart for the nations firsthand. Cross-cultural ministry stretches comfort zones, teaches humility, and builds confidence to engage people with curiosity, compassion, and the love of Christ. Throughout the week, we've watched students grow from hesitant observers into young leaders who initiate conversations, ask thoughtful questions, and form genuine friendships. Those lessons don't end when the trip does—they continue shaping how these students see the world and the people around them long after they return home.
We've also seen the impact come full circle. A couple of students who first served with us on these spring trips later returned as college interns, and one now serves on our full-time staff. That's a reminder that exposing young people to God's work among the nations isn't just valuable for one week—it can influence the direction of an entire life. As the global mission field continues to grow, so does the need to raise up the next generation of believers who are ready to step into it with open hands and open hearts.
If you're a youth pastor or ministry leader looking for a meaningful spring or summer mission experience, we'd love to start a conversation. A week of serving refugees in Phoenix offers students more than a chance to volunteer—it gives them the opportunity to encounter God's heart for all peoples, build lasting relationships, and discover how He may be inviting them to be part of His mission for years to come.