Youth

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Tag: Youth

Make Lasting Memories with Family Mission Trips

A 12-year-old boy stood in front of a soccer school in El Salvador, gripping his notes with sweaty hands.

Dozens of kids stared back at him.

Moments earlier, they had been laughing, joking, and chasing a soccer ball. Now they were listening closely.

He took a breath and shared a simple message.

“I used to think I had to be perfect for God to love me,” he said. “But I’m learning that He just wants me to keep giving Him my best.”

That was it.

No polished sermon.
No fancy words.

And somehow, every kid there could relate and connect.

“I stood in the back watching him talk to those kids and thought, ‘I would have missed this version of my son if we hadn’t come,’” Lindsay said. “I was watching him step into faith and compassion in a way I hadn’t seen before.”

A few days earlier, Lindsay watched her son teach local teenagers how to play chess.

Somewhere between explaining pawns and bishops, he connected the game to God’s kingdom, how every piece has a purpose and every role matters.

Later that same week, he quietly prayed for a woman inside her tiny home after hearing her share about her sick son.

And through every moment, Lindsay kept coming back to the same thought: I would have missed this version of my son if we hadn’t gone.

That’s the power of families serving together on mission trips.

Yes, communities are impacted.
Yes, churches are encouraged.
Yes, practical needs are met.

But something sacred also happens inside the family itself.

Over the last few years, Christ For the City International has seen more families saying yes to missions together, and the impact reaches far beyond what most people expect.

“The people we serve aren’t only seeing a husband or wife—they’re seeing the entire dynamic of a family,” Josue, one of our missionaries and coordinators in Costa Rica, said.

For many children in the communities we serve, that picture is rare.

Some have never seen a healthy family working together.
Some have never watched parents serve side by side.
Some don’t know what it looks like for a family to laugh together, pray together, and love others together.

So when families arrive on the mission field, it communicates something powerful before a single word is translated.

And children respond in ways that consistently surprise even the adults.

They connect quickly—through soccer, crafts, music, games, and laughter. Language barriers fade as relationships form naturally.

More than observers, children from visiting families often become active participants in ministry.

They pray for others.
They engage with local children.
They serve in practical ways.
And they often step into moments of ministry with a boldness that grows throughout the trip.

In the process, something important happens: They begin to realize that God can use them right now.

Not someday when they are older.
Not once they feel more prepared.
But in the present.

At the same time, parents often witness something just as meaningful—the unfolding of their children’s faith in real time.

Mission trips have a way of removing families from routine and placing them into environments where faith becomes practical.

Moments where a child prays for someone they just met.
Moments where joy is witnessed in places of lack.
Moments where compassion becomes lived experience instead of abstract belief.

These experiences often leave a lasting imprint long after returning home.

And while many assume mission trips require large teams or complex logistics, the reality is far simpler.

Six people is enough to form a team, which means families do not have to wait until everything aligns perfectly.

It might be two families from the same church.
It might be close friends who have talked about serving together.
It might be a small group ready for something deeper.

The invitation is simple: go together.

Serve together.
Experience together.
Grow together.

Because mission trips do more than impact the communities being served.

They shape the families who go.

And often, they shape the next generation in ways that cannot be fully understood until they return home changed.

Ready to bring your family—or another family alongside you—on a mission trip?

Visit cfci.org/go to learn more about upcoming opportunities and how to begin planning together.

Your Church was Made for Mission: 5 Ways to Partner with Christ For the City International

At Christ For the City International, we believe the Church was never meant to stay inside four walls. From the very beginning, God called His people to live on mission—loving their neighbors, serving their communities, and bringing the hope of Jesus to the nations.

Churches play a vital role in that mission.

Whether your congregation is passionate about going, giving, praying, or mobilizing others, there are meaningful ways to partner with what God is doing through CFCI around the world.

Here are five simple ways your church can be part of the story.

1. Go on a Mission Trip

One of the most powerful ways a church can engage in missions is by going together.

Mission trips allow youth groups, college ministries, young adults, small groups, families, and entire congregations to step outside their normal rhythms and serve alongside local ministries around the world.

Through Urban Plunge trips in U.S. cities and Global Teams serving internationally, churches can:

• Share the Gospel
• Serve practical needs in communities
• Encourage and support local leaders
• Grow in faith and unity as a team

There’s something powerful about taking what God is doing inside the church walls and living it out together in the world.

2. Give to the Mission

Missions move forward because of faithful generosity.

When churches give to the vision of Christ For the City International, they help sustain ministry happening every day in cities and communities across the globe.

Your giving fuels discipleship, leadership development, outreach, and compassionate service through our international bases.

Our vision remains bold:

No place without a witness.
No church without a vision.
No person without hope.

And we continue to believe God is inviting us to help create environments where 1 million lives can be forever changed through the ministry of CFCI.

When your church gives, you’re investing in transformation that reaches far beyond what any one team or trip could accomplish.

Become a financial partner!

3. Pray for the Mission

Prayer is one of the most powerful ways your church can partner in missions.

Across the world, CFCI teams are serving communities, discipling believers, and sharing the hope of Jesus in places that often require courage, perseverance, and faith.

Your prayers provide encouragement, protection, and spiritual covering for missionaries, national leaders, and the people they serve.

Consider setting aside time to pray for:

• CFCI missionaries and global staff
• The communities being served
• Open hearts to the Gospel
• Future leaders being raised up

When the Church prays, God moves.

4. Mobilize Your People

Sometimes the greatest impact a church can have is simply inviting people into the mission.

You can help mobilize others by:

• Sharing mission trip opportunities with your congregation
• Encouraging students and young adults to explore serving abroad
• Highlighting stories of transformation from the field
• Creating moments where missions becomes part of the conversation

Many people feel called to serve—but they just need someone to point them toward the opportunity.

Your church could be the place where that calling begins.

5. Build a Long-Term Partnership

Missions are most powerful when relationships grow over time.

Some churches choose to partner more deeply with CFCI by building an ongoing relationship with one of our ministry bases or returning regularly to serve in the same location.

Over time, these partnerships allow churches to:

• Encourage and support local leaders
• See long-term impact in communities
• Send teams year after year
• Watch God work in powerful ways

What begins as a single trip can grow into a lasting Kingdom partnership.

The Invitation

The mission of God is bigger than any one church or organization. But when we work together, the impact multiplies.

Whether your church chooses to go, give, pray, mobilize, or partner, you have a role to play in bringing the hope of Jesus to cities and communities around the world.

And together, we believe it’s possible to see 1 million lives forever changed.

Ready to explore the next step for your church?

Visit cfci.org/go to learn more about mission opportunities.

Shine Your Light: What Happens When You Say “Yes” to Serving

Sometimes all it takes is a simple “yes.”

With just two weeks of planning, a group of 10 students and leaders from Trinity United Methodist Church in Fort Dodge, Iowa stepped out of their normal routines and into a weekend that would challenge perspectives, deepen faith, and open their eyes to how God is moving in their own region.

Their team experienced an Urban Plunge in Omaha, Nebraska through Christ For the City International. What they found wasn’t just a trip—it was a powerful reminder of what it means to truly shine your light.

Serving, Listening, Showing Up

At The Beautiful Gate, a local ministry led by a street evangelist, the team stepped into a deteriorated storefront in a low-income neighborhood—helping prepare it for worship. They served lunch, sorted clothing and food donations, and helped distribute them to those who came.

But more than that—they listened.

They heard stories. They prayed. They experienced what it looks like to meet both physical and spiritual needs in a simple, meaningful way.

Later, at Open Door Mission, they served dinner to men, women, and children staying in temporary shelters. They spent time getting to know residents and offering prayer.

Seeing Needs Up Close

Monday morning began early at Siena Francis House, where the team served individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. They met people of all ages and backgrounds—many carrying everything they owned.

It was a perspective-shifting experience.

From there, the group visited Sozo Coffeehouse in Omaha’s Old Market—a space created to meet the needs of Gen Z by offering a safe place to gather, connect, and grow. The team joined in a 15-block prayer walk through the city, covering Omaha in prayer.

Their final stop was The Hope Center for Kids, where they helped create spaces for children to learn and play—building a pickleball court and assembling shelves for a tech room.

Simple acts of service. Meaningful impact.

What They Learned

When the weekend came to a close, the team gathered to reflect—and what they shared says it all:

  • “We are all similar people—just trying to survive and hopefully thrive, needing love and care.”
  • “Don’t take what you have for granted.”
  • “Service doesn’t need to be complicated.”
  • “Meeting basic needs shows people God’s love.”
  • “Church can happen anywhere.”

One truth echoed throughout it all:

You don’t have to go far to make a difference. You just have to be willing.

Your Turn to Go

Opportunities like this aren’t just for one group.

They’re for anyone willing to step out, serve others, and experience God in a new way.

Whether it’s across the street or across the world—your “yes” matters.

👉 Ready to experience an Urban Plunge?
Explore upcoming trips at cfci.org/go

8 Kids. 4 Families. One Mission: Why This Group Is Saying “Yes” Together

It started with a simple desire: To be a family that serves God together.

Now, that “yes” is taking four families—7 adults and 8 kids ranging from just 9 months to 11 years old—all the way to Costa Rica.

This June, families from Valiente Dual Academy will step into something bigger than a trip. They’ll step into the global Church.

And they won’t be going empty-handed.

Learning a Language… and Living It

Valiente Dual Academy began just two years ago with a vision: create a space where children could learn Spanish through fun, connection, and culture.

Games. Crafts. Laughter. Friendship.

But beneath it all was something deeper—the belief that language opens doors.

“We wanted our kids to learn about other cultures and languages while having fun,” Savannah Vasquez, co-founder of the school, shared. “But also to connect.”

Now, those lessons are about to come alive.

“I think they’ll be surprised how much they already understand,” she said. “And inspired to keep learning so they can continue building relationships.”

Because in Costa Rica, Spanish won’t just be something they practice.

It will be how they love people.

A Bigger View of the World

For Savannah and her husband, this trip is deeply personal.

Both have served in missions and lived overseas. Those experiences shaped something foundational in them:

God’s Kingdom is global.

“When you experience other cultures at a young age,” Savannah said, “you’re less likely to believe false ideas about the world. You’ve seen it. You’ve built relationships.”

And that changes you.

It reminds you that even across languages and cultures, we’re not so different after all.

We’re all searching for purpose. For belonging.

What They’re Really Going to Learn

Yes, they’ll be leading children’s ministry.

Yes, they’ll be serving.

But that’s not the full story.

“What I’m most excited for,” Savannah shared, “is that they’ll realize missions is less about giving of yourself and more about making room for God to work in your heart.”

That shift—from doing to becoming—is where transformation happens.

She hopes each person walks away seeing people the way God does:

Not as different. Not as distant.
But as reflections of His image.

Seeing It Through a Child’s Eyes

And maybe the most powerful perspective comes from the kids themselves.

“I think it will be like helping other people and telling them about God.” – Emmanuel, 9

“Because most of the kids speak Spanish, so I can communicate with them.” – Emmanuel

“To fly on an airplane and playing games!” – Jonathan, 5

Honest. Joyful. Expectant.

Even their fears are real:

“Flying.” – Jonathan

But so is their willingness to go anyway.

It Started in the Classroom… and It Didn’t Stay There

After spending the year learning about Spanish-speaking countries, the group decided to bring Costa Rica to their community through a fundraiser event.

Coffee. Crafts. Community support.

A glimpse of what was ahead.

But the bigger picture?

This isn’t just about one trip.

It’s about a way of living.

Just Go

Savannah said it simply:

“If God is nudging you to do it—do it. He will make a way.”

That’s the invitation.

Not just for these families.

For all of us.

You don’t have to have it all figured out.
You don’t have to go alone.

Grab a group. Bring your family.

Go across the street.
Go across the world.

Just go.

👉 Start your trip with Christ For The City International: www.cfci.org/go

Urban Plunge vs. Global Team — And Why We Need Both

When people hear the word missions, they usually picture one thing:

A passport.
An airplane.
Another language.

But what if missions is just as real in downtown Omaha as it is in rural Guatemala?

At Christ For the City International, we believe something simple and powerful:

God is at work everywhere.

And that’s why we offer both Urban Plunges and Global Teams — because each experience shapes you in a different way.

Urban Plunges: Seeing Your Own Backyard Differently

Our Urban Plunges happen in cities like:

  • Chicago
  • Dallas
  • Des Moines
  • Kansas City
  • Los Angeles
  • Omaha
  • Sioux Falls

You don’t need a passport. You need open eyes.

During an Urban Plunge, you serve alongside local leaders who know their communities best — people who live there, love there, and are invested long-term.

You might:

  • Serve at food banks
  • Build relationships with those experiencing homelessness
  • Encourage kids and families
  • Go on prayer walks
  • Share your faith in everyday conversations

Urban Plunges teach you something critical:

Missions isn’t far away.

It’s here.

You learn boldness. You learn compassion. You learn how to see your own city — and the people in it — through God’s eyes.

And when you go home, you don’t leave missions behind. You bring it with you.

Global Teams: Crossing Borders, Expanding Perspective

Then there’s the global experience.

Whether serving in:

  • Guatemala
  • El Salvador
  • Zimbabwe
  • Nicaragua

Global Teams immerse you in a different culture, language, and rhythm of life.

You partner with national missionaries and local churches — not to “fix,” but to come alongside what God is already doing.

You might:

  • Support children’s ministry
  • Participate in evangelism and discipleship
  • Help with community outreach
  • Serve in practical, hands-on projects
  • Encourage local pastors and leaders

International missions stretches you in a unique way.

You learn humility.
You learn flexibility.
You learn how small the world feels — and how big God is.

You discover that the Gospel transcends language and culture.

Different Experiences. Same Invitation.

Urban Plunges often grow boldness.
Global Teams often grow humility.

Both grow dependence on God.

Both help you:

  • Discover your spiritual gifts
  • Grow in compassion
  • Build deep friendships
  • Step into leadership
  • Live your faith in tangible ways

And both remind you:

You are sent.

Not someday.
Not somewhere else.
Now.

Why Both Matter

If you only serve locally, you may miss the beauty of the global Church.

If you only serve internationally, you may forget that your own city needs the Gospel too.

God’s heart is global.
And it’s local.

Sometimes an Urban Plunge awakens you.
Sometimes a Global Team expands you.
Often, God uses both.

Ready to Step Into It?

Whether you’re leading a youth group, gathering friends, or sensing God stir something in you personally, there’s a place for you.

Explore upcoming Urban Plunges and Global Teams at:

👉 www.cfci.org/go

Because the world is wide.
The cities are waiting.
And God is already at work.

Step Away from Screens: Why Urban Plunge and Global Teams Matter in a Digital World

📱 iPad. Xbox. Tik Tok. Screens everywhere. Notifications buzzing. Feeds scrolling endlessly.

It’s easy for teens’ lives—and even their faith—to get trapped in the digital world. But some experiences can’t be swiped, double-tapped, or streamed. They need to be lived.

That’s where Urban Plunge and Global Teams step in.

For a few days, a week, or longer, students trade the screen glow for sunlight, notifications for conversations, and feeds for real-life faith in action. They worship together, serve shoulder-to-shoulder, and discover what it really means to live out their faith—beyond apps, filters, and likes.

🌆 Urban Plunge: Adventure Right in Your Backyard

Urban Plunge takes students into the heart of American cities—Chicago, Dallas, Des Moines, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Omaha, and Sioux Falls—where they serve alongside local leaders in ways that actually matter.

Think:

  • Food banks, homeless outreach, and mentoring kids
  • Prayer walks and street ministry
  • Community projects—painting, cleaning, or park restoration

It’s about learning boldness, creativity, and compassion… all while discovering how to be the hands and feet of Jesus right where they live.

✈️ Global Teams: Adventure with Friends Around the World

For students ready to go further, Global Teams offer an international mission alongside friends. They serve communities in Guatemala, El Salvador, Zimbabwe, and Nicaragua—partnering with local ministries who know their people best.

From evangelism to children’s ministry, construction to community projects, every moment teaches humility, teamwork, and faith in action. And the best part? Serving together bonds friends in ways nothing else can.

Why Getting Offline Changes Everything

These trips aren’t just about travel—they’re about presence.

No swiping. No scrolling. Just real people. Real stories. Real faith.

Teens discover that life is bigger than their feed. That God moves in real, messy, beautiful ways when you show up. And that serving others—whether across the street or across the globe—changes the way they see the world… and themselves.

If you want your teen to step away from screens, step into service, and step into God’s story, Urban Plunge or Global Teams might be the perfect next adventure.

👉 Learn more and sign up today: cfci.org/go

Oh, the Places They’ll Go: A Graduation Gift That Shapes Who They Become

Caps fly.
Cameras flash.
Party invites stack up on the counter.

And somewhere between “We’re so proud of you” and “What’s your major again?” there’s a quieter question every senior is asking:

Who am I becoming?

Graduation gifts usually look like money in a card. A new laptop. Dorm décor. Maybe luggage for what’s next.

All good things.

But what if this year, you gave something that doesn’t wear out, power down, or get replaced in four years?

What if you gave an experience that strengthens their faith, builds their confidence, and gives them space to hear God clearly before the next big step?

At Christ For the City International, we see it every year.

When young adults step into mission — something shifts.

A Global Team: The “Trip” That Actually Changes Them

After graduation, many students plan one last big adventure with friends.

A Europe trip.
A beach week.
A “bro trip.”
A girls’ getaway.

And there’s nothing wrong with celebrating.

But what if their post-grad trip wasn’t just fun — it was formative?

A Global Team is designed to be done together.

Your graduate can go with friends, with their youth group, or build a small team of people they already trust and love.

Instead of sightseeing alone, they could spend a week or two serving alongside national missionaries in places like:

  • Guatemala
  • El Salvador
  • Zimbabwe
  • Nicaragua

They’ll participate in children’s ministry, evangelism, prayer walks, outreach, and hands-on community projects — partnering with local leaders who know their communities best.

And here’s what parents often notice afterward:

Serving together bonds friends in a different way.

When they pray together.
When they navigate another culture together.
When they step out in courage together.

The conversations go deeper. The faith becomes more personal. The friendships become stronger.

Ten years from now, they won’t just remember the laughs.

They’ll remember how God met them there.

A Global Ambassador: A Gap Year That Grounds Them

For some graduates, the invitation goes even deeper.

Not just a short-term team experience — but an intentional season set apart.

A Global Ambassador experience is more immersive. More personal. More formative.

Instead of rushing straight into college or career, what if your graduate had space to:

  • Live cross-culturally
  • Serve consistently alongside a CFCI base
  • Be discipled and mentored
  • Develop leadership and responsibility
  • Slow down enough to hear God clearly

They may go on their own.
Or with one close friend.

But this isn’t about group momentum.

It’s about identity.

In a culture that pressures students to “figure it out fast,” a gap year centered on Christ says:

Root yourself first.

We’ve seen students return from a Global Ambassador season more grounded, more mature, and more confident in who God created them to be.

Not because it was easy.
But because it was intentional.

Oh, the Places They’ll Go

Yes — new countries.
New cultures.
New friendships.

But more importantly:

Deeper faith.
Stronger character.
Clearer direction.

This isn’t just about geography.

It’s about formation before foundation.

Before lecture halls.
Before job interviews.
Before the pace of adulthood accelerates.

A Gift That Outlasts Graduation Season

Long after the cake is gone.
Long after the thank-you notes are written.
Long after the gift cards are spent.

An experience like this continues shaping who they become.

If you’re wondering what to give the graduate in your life this spring, consider something bold.

Give them the opportunity to go.
To serve.
To grow.
To listen.
To be stretched.
To be sent.

Explore Global Teams and Global Ambassador opportunities at:

👉 www.cfci.org/go

Because sometimes the best graduation gift isn’t something they unwrap.

It’s somewhere they go.

The 8-Year-Old Who Told Her Doctor She’d Be a Missionary

Most eight-year-olds dream about becoming astronauts, athletes, or veterinarians.

Ellie Hyvonen apparently had a different plan.

“At 8 years old, I told my doctor that I wanted to be a missionary when I grew up,” Ellie said with a laugh.

While that might sound unusual for a child, the calling on her life didn’t fade with time—it only grew stronger.

“My journey in missions started at a young age when the Lord tugged at my heartstrings for Haiti,” she said.

By the time Ellie was 11, that tug became impossible to ignore. When a devastating earthquake struck Haiti, she knew she wanted to help in some way.

So she did what any determined middle schooler with a big heart might do—she started a fundraiser.

Ellie began selling handmade jewelry and artwork at church and even vegetables from her family’s farm at the end of the road. Every dollar she raised went toward buying chickens for orphans living on the island of La Gonâve.

“When I saw the pictures of those little kids receiving meat and smiling so big, there was no stopping me,” she said.

Soon after, Ellie traveled to Haiti with her mom and church teams. Those trips became the beginning of something much bigger than she could have imagined.

Throughout high school, Ellie continued looking for opportunities to experience new cultures and serve communities in need. Spring breaks often turned into mission trips, taking her to places like Japan, Hungary, Philadelphia, and West Virginia.

“In each of these trips, I clearly saw how God was developing different spiritual gifts in my life through teaching, hospitality, administration, leadership, and compassion,” she said.

Then in college, Ellie committed to a six-month internship in Costa Rica—a decision that would eventually connect her with Christ For The City International.

During that time, she studied Spanish, lived with a host family, and served in a rehabilitation home for adolescent girls coming out of trafficking, drugs, and prostitution.

“I never knew at the time that my time grueling over learning the language and pouring into these girls would eventually lead to me leading the very same work with teams from the States,” Ellie said.

Today, Ellie helps lead mission teams with CFCI in Costa Rica and Guatemala, guiding others as they step into cross-cultural ministry.

“Every trip I have been on with CFCI has been so incredibly organized and well thought out,” she said. “It makes leading trips easy.”

Leading teams from different backgrounds and personalities has taught Ellie a lot about patience—and flexibility.

“It has taught me to appreciate how different each person is made,” she explained. “Every team is made up of such unique individuals, which means I have to manage a lot of personalities and intelligences.”

Thankfully, the Costa Rica base has a helpful motto for moments when things don’t go exactly as planned.

“I love the SFINC acronym they use: Smile, be Flexible, Improvise, and No Complaining,”She laughed. “That about sums it up perfectly.”

After all, life on the mission field rarely follows a perfectly planned schedule.

“Our timing is often not the Lord’s timing nor our plans His,” Ellie said. “However, I have learned that they can be His if we submit them to Him in humility.”

For Ellie, some of the most meaningful moments on the mission field happen in the quiet, unexpected spaces.

On a recent trip to Costa Rica, she spent time with a young mother at the Kairos Rehabilitation Home who had endured years of severe abuse and hardship.

After listening to her story, Ellie suggested they paint flowers together.

As they painted, Ellie shared a simple truth.

“I explained how if God cares for these flowers and thinks they are so beautiful, how much more does He see her as precious and beautiful,” she said.

The young woman asked Ellie to sign the painting before they finished.

“Sometimes it is the simple things that lead to the greatest transformation or perspective change in our hearts,” Ellie reflected.

Next, Ellie will lead a team from Jesse Remington High School to El Salvador from April 6–13.

She’s excited to experience a new CFCI base and explore a new culture.

“I am so excited to see a totally new base and do some island ministry,” she says. “It’s also such a small world—I know CFCI’s Communication Specialist from Costa Rica, but he grew up right there in El Salvador, so I’ll get to meet many of his missionary friends.”

For Ellie, each trip is another opportunity to see how God is working in communities around the world.

Through years of mission work, Ellie has learned that leadership is often far simpler—and more humble—than people expect.

“Leadership is just influence,” she said. “It’s doing the small tasks alongside everyone else.”

Her philosophy is straightforward.

“If a leader can scrub a toilet, the followers will probably have the confidence to do it even better,” she said.

Ellie credits mentors who modeled lives of prayer and gratitude for shaping her leadership.

“No matter how bad the situation seems, going to prayer and gratitude is always the answer,” she said.

Ultimately, Ellie believes God is the one building every team.

“He only asks that I bring those people and their skills to Him and be grateful for how He moves,” she said.

A Step of Faith

For those wondering if they should step into missions—or any calling God might be placing on their hearts—Ellie had a simple starting point.

“It can’t hurt to ask the Lord, ‘Is this for me?’” she said.

But following God rarely comes with complete certainty.

“It just takes a blind step of faith—and I mean blind.”

She pointed to Peter stepping out of the boat to walk toward Jesus.

“He didn’t know all the answers, but he trusted Jesus enough to take action when he could not.”

And even when Peter began to sink, Jesus was there.

“Missions will have moments when we sink,” Ellie said. “But Jesus is there. He isn’t looking for perfection—He’s looking for a heart that keeps reaching out for His hand.”

She left with one final question for anyone considering their own step of faith “Are you reaching out?”

Ready to reach out?

Learn more about upcoming Urban Plunges and Global Teams at:

👉 cfci.org/go

She gave her life to Christ—because a teenager prayed

It all started with a prayer.

Students in House Church’s youth ministry began asking if they could go on a mission trip. Together with their leaders, they prayed specifically for God to open the door to a Spanish-speaking country. The Dominican Republic, Cuba, El Salvador, Costa Rica—all were on the list.

Then came confirmation. A new friend—unaware of their prayers—began talking about his partnership with Christ For the City in Costa Rica. The church was barely two and a half years old, but they knew God was leading. They said yes.

That’s how four adults and twelve high school students, ages 13–18, found themselves serving with CFCI in San José. Their days were full—VBS, sports ministry, crafts, worship, street walks, food distribution, prayer, testimonies, and worship gatherings. Their evenings were filled with stories of how God was moving.

One unforgettable moment happened in Tirrases. While the team walked the streets, one student felt the Spirit urging him to stop and pray with a young mom caring for three children. She gave her life to Christ on the spot. Days later, her mother passed away. The team attended the wake, where Enrique, a CFCI leader, shared the news of her decision to follow Jesus. Because one student obeyed, the gospel was proclaimed to an entire family in the middle of their grief.

For Pastor Jordan Fuller, the trip was not only life-giving for his students but deeply transformational for him as a leader.

“I realized that trying to ‘do it all’ can actually rob others of the chance to be used by God,” Jordan said. “Watching Him work through our students grew my faith tremendously.”

The impact of the trip went far beyond Costa Rica. Just weeks later, tragedy struck when a student in their youth ministry passed away unexpectedly.

“The grief was devastating,” Jordan said. “But because of what we had just experienced in Costa Rica, our faith was stronger, our unity was deeper, and our hope in Christ was unshaken. God poured into us there so we could pour His love out here, even in the midst of grief.”

House Church’s trip is a powerful reminder: when you go, God not only works through you but also prepares you for what’s ahead.

Is God calling you to take that step?

➡️ Learn more about Global Teams and other opportunities to go!

 

One Purpose, Two Generations

Twelve years old and already teaching chess and sharing the Gospel. Eighty and still serving the Lord. What do these two have in common? They both said yes.

In a world that often says “wait until you’re older” or “you no longer have anything to offer”, Christ calls us differently. He invites us into His mission at every stage of life—whether we’re just discovering our gifts or looking back at a lifetime of service.

Susan and Carsen may be worlds apart in age and location, but their hearts beat with the same purpose—to serve the Lord wholeheartedly.

Still Saying Yes at 80

Susan Grosser first came to Costa Rica in 1970 to study Spanish. At the time, she had no intention of staying long-term—certainly not a lifetime.

“I remember boarding the plane to Ecuador and thinking, ‘Thank God He didn’t call me to Costa Rica!’” she laughs.

But God had other plans.

After serving two years in Ecuador, she returned to Costa Rica temporarily. One temporary step led to another, and soon Susan found herself going on medical caravans, then staffing a rural clinic without a doctor, then helping launch a new outreach ministry in Carpio alongside fellow missionary Sarita Bautista. That ministry eventually became part of Christ For the City International.

Today, 80-year-old Susan still serves in Carpio, a community of over 40,000 people. Mornings find her at the local clinic offering care, prayer, and a listening ear. Afternoons are for tutoring children, encouraging young mothers, and mentoring women through WhatsApp devotionals. She writes daily Scripture reflections for over 100 women in her “Amigas de Nicaragua” chat group.

“It never gets boring,” she says. “There are always new challenges. Most of all, I know I’m doing God’s will. That’s my motivation.”

Over the years, Susan has watched God transform individuals—like a young mother she once met through the clinic, who gave her life to Christ and now leads ministries of her own.

“It’s beautiful to see how God sustains people. Now she teaches Sunday school and runs our clothing ministry,” Susan said. “Her daughter is one of the most spiritually sensitive kids I’ve ever met.”

What keeps her going? Susan points to her daily rhythm of prayer and Scripture.

“Guarding time for my personal relationship with God sustains me,” she said.

But she’s also quick to name the need for younger leaders to rise up.

“We need a new generation of doctors, nurses, and teachers to come alongside and eventually carry on the work,” she said.

For those considering serving—even just for a short-term trip—Susan’s encouragement is simple: “Come and serve. Get to know us. You might just hear God calling you to stay.”

Just 12 and Already on Mission

Carsen is only 12-years-old—but already, he’s learning what it means to say yes to God.

On a family and young adult mission trip to El Salvador, he walked through neighborhoods handing out food baskets and praying with the elderly.

“There was one woman who cried when we prayed for her,” Carsen recalls. “That really stuck with me.”

During Sunday School, he taught a chess lesson at a local church for teens just a little older than him.

“It was exciting because I was able to do what I’m passionate about,” he says.

As he explained how each chess piece moves, he shared a deeper truth too:

“In chess, every piece has a special job. Some are small, some are strong, and some move in surprising ways. Just like in God’s kingdom, every piece matters—and every person does too!”

Teaching chess wasn’t just about the game—it was a chance to talk about patience, focus, and purpose.

“When you play chess, you have to think ahead and stay calm,” Carsen explains. “And that’s kind of like life with God. We all have something we’re meant to do—even if it seems small, it’s still really important.”

And at a local soccer school, he shared his testimony:

“For a long time, I felt like I had to be perfect all the time—whether it was in school, sports, or even just how I acted. I would get really anxious and stressed if I made a mistake. But one day, God spoke to my heart and told me something simple that changed everything. He said, ‘You don’t have to be perfect—your best is enough.’”

When asked how it felt to give that talk, he said, “I was pretty nervous—but afterwards, I felt proud.”

And he’s not done. “I want to go on another mission trip,” he says. “I loved seeing how the Lord shaped me.”

When asked what he’d say to another kid who feels nervous about going on a mission trip, Carsen doesn’t hesitate: “You will really enjoy it. It’s cool to see new places, eat new food, meet new people, and hear their stories.”

There’s a Place for You

Susan said yes. Carsen said yes.

And no matter your age or stage of life, you can too.

You are never too young to share God’s love.

Never too old to step into His calling.

Never too small to make an impact.

Never too late to begin.

Some are called to go—to step into neighborhoods, cities, and nations with the love of Christ. Others are called to give—to fuel that mission through prayer, generosity, and support.

Both are vital. Both are Kingdom work.

So what’s your next step?

FIND YOUR PLACE IN THE MISSION

Let’s say yes to God’s mission—together.

Because when we do, lives are changed. Including our own.

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PLEASE NOTE: Per IRS guidelines all contributions to Christ for the City International are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law and made with the understanding that Christ for the City International has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds.

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