If You Think Youth Can’t Make An Impact, Read This!
Impacting Lives Year After Year!
For years, the sophomore class at Mitchell Christian School has embarked on an Urban Plunge weekend, immersing themselves in service and ministry. This year, their journey took them to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for a transformative experience that stretched their perspectives and deepened their faith.
From Friday evening to Sunday morning, the students worked alongside local missions, serving meals, cleaning facilities, and engaging with those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. Teacher Dawn Hogue witnessed her students stepping beyond their comfort zones, realizing that knowing about struggles is far different from personally meeting those affected.
“The students were surprised when we saw some of the same individuals at different missions,” Dawn reflected. “They were challenged to think beyond what they saw and consider what life might really be like for these families. Watching them jump in, serve, and interact with both the workers and those in need was a joy.”
A pivotal moment came during a Saturday morning prayer walk. Dawn, along with students Alissa and Trudie, braved the chilly weather to pick up trash and pray over the community. A woman walking parallel to them caught Dawn’s attention. Feeling prompted by the Holy Spirit, she hesitated at first but finally approached her.
“When we asked if we could pray for her, her face lit right up,” Dawn recalled. “I have no idea what happened to her after, but I pray that God will use that little seed.”
For Trudie, 16, the experience was a powerful reminder of the joy in serving Jesus.
“My favorite part was helping at Salvation Army,” she said. “But a big moment for me was having conversations with people at The Banquet and Church on the Street. It was fun to connect with unfamiliar people.”
Urban Plunge, though brief, leaves a lasting impact. The students returned home reminded of what truly matters—compassion, connection, and the call to serve.
Jonathan, the Omaha Urban Plunge facilitator, saw a shift happen. “By the end of the trip, they truly became the hands and feet of Jesus—not just to the people they served in Omaha, but to each other,” he said. “I believe they will carry that attitude back to their school and community in Iowa.”
Adrian saw the power of prayer in a whole new way, understanding that hurt is real, but so is hope—and we’re meant to be part of that hope.
Now is your chance to experience the life-changing work of Christ For the City International in person! From June 26-30, we invite you to join us in El Salvador to witness firsthand the incredible transformation happening through our ministries. But hurry—
This is more than just a trip. It’s an invitation to see the vision and join the mission. Whether you go, give, or pray, there is a place for you in the story God is writing in El Salvador—and we’d love for you to be part of it.
“To hear an inmate sentenced for murder confess that he is forgiven in Christ—this has been one of the most powerful moments I have witnessed,” shares Mubaiwa Mangwende, CFCI Zimbabwe’s base director.
These marked Bibles are now being used in rural and urban communities—and even reaching Kenya and Zambia. With plans to impact over 4,000 inmates, the ministry needs continued prayer and support, especially for transportation to reach more prisons and remote villages.
After we prayed, he told me he finally felt happy and relieved, like he could wake up in peace instead of sadness,” Riley said. “It gave me so much joy knowing the Lord worked through me to comfort him.
“The work being done here is not only helpful but life-changing,” Riley said. “Many people have so little, but what we provide gives them a way out of physical and spiritual poverty. The joy on their faces makes every bit of effort worth it.”
“These women are fighting to rise above vulnerability and become independent,” said Amos, the CFCI Mali Director. “Seeing them work with joy and efficiency, knowing they are building a better future, is truly inspiring. We pray that this support continues so even more women in Mali can find hope and dignity through this program.”
For Eleanore Hyvonen, missions never was just a calling—it’s a way of life. From a young age, she knew she was meant to serve the Lord, not just in words, but through action. That passion became a reality when she first connected with Christ For the City International through an internship at Wheaton College.
But missions isn’t just about the places we go—they’re about the people we meet, the lives we impact, and the hope we share. Through Global Teams, Eleanore has seen the power of faith in action, the beauty of communities coming together, and the undeniable truth that when Christ is at the center, lives are changed forever.
When Xavier, a college student from Pennsylvania, felt the call to serve internationally, he had no idea where to start. With limited time between classes, he needed an opportunity that fit his schedule while allowing him to make a real impact. That’s when he found Christ For the City International.
Xavier also joined local pastors for street evangelism, sparking deep conversations about faith and leading Bible studies for young adults. At a healing with horses program, he saw the incredible impact of therapy animals—helping disabled youth improve their speech and mobility. And on his final day in Zimbabwe, he experienced a moment he’ll never forget—three boys at the orphanage gave their lives to Jesus.
