Students Raise Funds for Mission Trips | Summer 2026

Groups of high school students from four of our campuses are traveling abroad on mission trips to Kenya and Nicaragua this summer! In preparation, these students have rolled up their sleeves and held some creative fundraising events. “One of the things I’ve loved most about the process is seeing our church family come alongside these students,” says member Sarah Dersch. “It’s been a reminder that missions isn’t just about the people who travel—it’s something the whole church participates in through serving, giving, encouraging, and praying.”

Kenya Mission Trip

“We have ten students traveling, and we’ll be helping put on a vacation Bible school for a local community in central Kenya—including fun activities like skits, music, crafts, and games! We’ll also spend some time helping to build a home for a local family in need,” says Jadon, a high school senior from the Taylors campus. “I am looking forward to going with an open heart and seeing how God moves in my life through this experience.”

To raise funds for this trip, several high school boys held a pancake breakfast at our Taylors and Iglesia Gracia campuses. While the syrup-dunked pancakes were free for the taking, they used the opportunity to ask for donations and prayers for their trip.

Several high school girls were also busy with flour and whisks, raising support by holding bake sales at our Powdersville and Pelham campuses.

Nicaragua Mission Trip

“Our Nicaragua team consists of five students from Iglesia Gracia, and it’s especially exciting because this is the first time our campus has sent an entire team to serve in Nicaragua together,” says Sarah Dersch. The students plan to help with a Christian youth retreat for local teens. Adults also participating in this trip will provide a special opportunity to equip area church leaders with principles for healthy Christian marriages.

“To raise funds, we had a church-wide hamburger sale. What made it special wasn’t just the students who are going on the trip, but the way our entire church community rallied around them. Students, parents, ministry leaders, and volunteers all worked together—from grilling and serving food to handling payments and setup—to make the event successful.”

Students have also been holding bake sales featuring delicious items such as arroz con leche (creamy rice pudding), chocoflan (chocolate cake with a creamy caramel custard on top), and fresas con crema (strawberries with Mexican cream and sweetened condensed milk).

We are grateful for our partnerships with Champions for Jesus in Nicaragua and with Life Empowerment For International Transformation (LEFTI) in Kenya—helping us to share the love of Christ across borders. Please join us in prayer for the work that God will be doing in and through our students in the coming weeks.