Mission Trips

Due to the pandemic, our trips will not run as previously scheduled.

Dear FPC youth and families,

For the past two months I’ve received text messages, emails, and phone calls (almost daily) asking about West Virginia, The Great Escape, and/or the Mystery Trip. At first, I thought it was crazy that people were concerned about trips that were three months out. As this pandemic has unfolded in our nation, my response has changed from “we’re still going” to “let’s wait and see.”  In my wildest dreams, I never imagined we’d be where we are today. In an effort to align ourselves with the four-phased reopening plan outlined by Mayor Cooper, the leadership of our congregation has made a decision about all church programming for the month of June.

The West Virginia Mission Experience, the Great Escape, and the Graduated Senior Mystery Mission Trip will not take place this summer.  

I can’t tell you how sad I am about this. The youth staff and volunteers have been looking forward to these trips and retreats all year. Our middle schoolers should be going to The Great Escape, our high schoolers should be going to West Virginia, and our graduated seniors should be going on the Mystery Trip. Our church leadership and youth staff are sad about this reality. Some of your kids may be just as sad as we are—if not more so. There’s nothing we can say to take away the disappointment and sadness they may be feeling around this news. Please know that you are not alone if you are grieving. We are right there with you.

Some of you have already paid in full for these trips. The Youth Missions Committee would like to offer full refunds– including the “non-refundable” deposits. Please reply to this email to let us know how you would like us to proceed. We can refund your payment, or you can donate your June trip payments to the youth mission fund. Many of our mission partners depend on groups like us to stay in business. We’ll use your donations to offer much needed financial support to those mission partners.

We don’t know what our summer youth ministry plan will be, but the youth staff is hard at work and committed to creating future opportunities for your kids to join in Christ’s mission in the world, to grow in Christian discipleship, and to practice servant leadership. If you have any ideas, questions, or just need someone to vent to, the youth staff is available. You’ve got us if you need us. My number is below. Feel free to shoot me a text or give me a call. As soon as we have finalized the plan for our youth ministry this summer, we will let you know. Until that time, keep us in your prayers, and share the burden of this disappointment with God and with one another.

God’s still up to something; . . . you’re still a part of it.

paz

Adam DeVries

Associate Pastor to Youth & Their Families

Spring Break Mission Trip: Waco, Texas

• March 14-20, 2020
• Cost
  • Total Cost: $850
  • Non-Refundable Registration Fee: $150
• Registration/Payment
  • Register
  • Make Payment (for those already registered)
• Forms
  • Waco Mission Trip Minor Form (need notarized)
  • Waco Mission Trip Adult Form (volunteer’s complete)
  • Waco Medicine and Allergy Form
  • Mission Trip Covenant Form
• Packing List

Current 9th – 12th graders are invited to join staff and volunteers as we travel to Waco, Texas. We’ll spend the week serving in the surrounding communities!

Sr. High Mission Trip: West Virginia

• May 29/May 31 – June 5, 2020
  • Rising Seniors attend leadership retreat May 29th – May 31st
  • Rising 9th-11th leave FPC May 31st
  • All return June 5
• Cost
  • Total Cost: $650
  • Non-Refundable Registration Fee: $150
• Registration/Payment
  • Register
  • Make Payment (for those already registered)
• Forms
  • Son Servants Medical Release 2020 (need two copies-  notarized)
  • Mission Trip Covenant Form
  • Medication and Allergy Form
• Packing List

Current 8th – 11th graders are invited to join us as we head to – you guessed it – PANTHER, West Virginia! We’ll are excited to see what God is up to in Panther, West Virginia as we work and worship there.

Graduating Seniors: Mystery Trip

• June 18-25,  2020
• Cost
  • Total Cost:$850
  • Non-Refundable Registration Fee: $150
• Registration/Payment
  • Register
  • Make Payment (for those already registered)
• Forms
  • Son Servants Release Form  (needs two copies notarized – if NOT over 18)
  • Mission Trip Covenant Form
• Packing List

For the very first time, we have decided to tell you where you are going… NOT! The whole trip is a mystery. Join youth staff and volunteers as we worship, serve, and spend time in fellowship together. We can’t wait to surprise you!

Junior High Summer Trip – Great Escape at Lee University

• June 7-12, 2020
• Current 6th – 7th Grade
• Cost
  • Total Cost: $650
  • Non-Refundable Registration Fee: $150
• Registration/Payment
  • Register
  • Make Payment (for those already registered)
• Packing List
• Forms
  • Mission Trip Covenant Form

This is an incredible opportunity for middle school students to be in fellowship with one another and in an environment that facilitates healthy, creative outdoor play and that also intentionally exposes them to engaging teaching and worship. During their week together on the campus of Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, rising 7th and 8th graders will stay in dorms and will enjoy great speakers, music, games, and self-reflection. Every year that we go to Great Escape, students have an opportunity to personally claim a life of faith in Christ. You will not want to miss it!