What do serving hot meals to seniors, cleaning up Central Park, and sorting clothes at a homeless ministry have in common? The Middle School Urban Plunge in NYC! From our mission base at Brick Presbyterian Church, this year's middle school mission trip has taken place in the city that never sleeps, with our group of youth tirelessly serving a number of organizations.
We have partnered with the Project Find Senior Center, NY Common Pantry, Jan Hus Presbyterian Church, the Central Park Conservancy, and Emmaus House of Harlem. As Chef Raymond from the NY Common Pantry remarked, "We serve over a hundred hot meals three times a day and it wouldn't be possible without volunteers like you." Each project has offered a fulfilling opportunity to meet real human needs with Christ's love. Our Christian call to serve and follow Jesus has been at the forefront of our service. Through conversations with strangers and new friends, we have shared our faith and testified about why God cares for those we serve. We served a meal to the homeless and then worshipped with them at Jan Hus Presbyterian Church and Neighborhood House, where we were received with open arms.
On the subway, overlooking the city from Rockefeller Center, and strolling through Central Park, we have had an authentic NYC experience, and have contributed to the work God is doing in this bustling city. One of our youth summed it up best when she said, "Serving those in need helps me to grow closer to God." The Urban Plunge is a memorable mission experience for our middle schoolers and they are great ambassadors of BMPC's heart for outreach.
Check out the blog for our trip here.
