Youth Missions

       Our ultimate goal at FFWBC in Seffner is to get our young people established in the Christian faith, engaged in Christian ministry, and equipped for Christian service. One of the ways to reach that goal is through our youth mission trips. It helps build a foundation of faith and service that young people can build upon in their walk with Christ.(Prov 22:6) It also teaches the importance and responsibility of reaching out to others.(Mat 28:19-20)

     These are working trips where they must roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. We participate in community service projects that directly help the people we are ministering to. The trips also include community outreach which allows interaction and one on one time with those who need Christ. These activities let us share the love of Christ not only in word but in deed. A lesson these young people can use their entire lives for the glory of God.

     These trips not only contain a working aspect, a witnessing aspect, but it also allows a worshiping aspect. Each day/night we set aside a time of worship; a time these young people not only grow closer to each other, but they develop a deeper relationship with the Lord. One of the sweetest services I’ve ever experienced was during worship time on one of these trips. Lifelong bonds are formed and life changing decisions are made as these young people open up to the Lord and to each other during on these trips.

  Mission Trip 2009 – The Navajo Nation – Dilkon, Arizona

     During a week of service our young people were able to completely sand, scrape, and paint a small local Nazarene church on the reservation.  They also did some minor roofing repairs, and installed some siding. We were able to upgrade the camp/church which we were staying, by forming and pouring sidewalks and handicap parking spaces. We helped build a shower for future workers to use. We did repair work on an elderly woman’s porch.  Our largest project of the week was to start construction of a Hogan (house) for a Navajo lady (Charlotte).   Our group completely dug (by hand) the footer for this house, laid rebar, mixed and poured the concrete footer and began moving block into place.

     All of this was done at a remote section of the reservation that had no electric and no running water.  Quite a challenge!

     The week also included time to witness and work with Navajo children and young people. From making witness bracelets to playing games and telling Bible stories, our group was able to make an impact on these people.

     As we wrapped up the week and left the reservation we spent a day at the Grand Canyon. God’s power is on display at this amazing place. Although the kids experienced an amazing week, the highlight of the trip had to be the worship services. God not only worked through our group, He worked on our group!

Mission Trip 2010 – The Blackfoot Nation–Brownsville, Montana 

      These Native Americans have an urgent need for the love of Christ. We served in an area where alcoholism, drug abuse, and poverty are a way of life. Only through the Lord can this cycle be broken. Our primary objective on this trip was to build a Christian camp for young people on the reservation. We worked on a building that will house the kitchen and chapel, and also a building that housed showers, bathrooms, and storage. Our group jumped in with both feet and it was amazing what they accomplished in such a short time frame. We completely wired the buildings, installed insulation, did frame repair work. We hung drywall in both buildings. Some built a deck and a handicap ramp. We painted and installed siding. We did minor plumbing work, dug and laid pipe for a drain field. We did our best at an extreme make-over!  Along the way we established a friendship with the Navajo family that was donating the land for the camp site. They have plans of having several hundreds of kids through each summer and sharing the Gospel with each one! (and to think God blessed us with an opportunity to have a part in that!) After each day of work we headed straight to the local high school where the summer day care programs went until 6pm. We were able to interact with children from 5 years on up to high school age. We played everything from video games to basketball games. Before leaving we had time to share Bible stories and witness. These young people were starved for attention and our group was able to share with them. God blessed and the Gospel was shared! I can’t wait to meet someone in heaven one day who received Christ at this children’s camp we helped to build. The amazing part of these trips is that the impact on our group is just as great as the people we minister to, God is amazing!

     Please remember us in your prayers as we seek God’s guidance in our 2012 trip. Raising funds is always a challenge. The expense for these trips can be very costly. The youth strive to raise as much of the cost as possible through fundraising activities. If you would like to make a donation or help out in any way please let us know.

Brother Johnny Saunders

Youth Pastor
FFWBC Seffner