Mission Trip 2006

In 11 days, Lisa and I will be taking 5 girls from the Sr. High Youth Group to Benton Harbor, Mi for our summer mission trip. I am excited to go because every year our students are really impacted by God. (I think that is the coolest thing about serving God, when you go into something to serve someone else and hopefully make an impact on them, God turns it around and impacts you as well...it's awesome) This year we decided to stay in the state of Michigan as opposed to going out of the state, which is normally done over the years. I really wanted our students to see that there are people in the state of Michigan who need God's help just as much as people out of our state. I know that sounds like a given, but sometimes we get so caught up in our own little world that we think that it couldn't happen and it so easily can. So, I am excited to see how God is going to work in the lives of our group and in the lives of the people that we are going to serve. While we are we will be working with some of the local ministries who are already fighting for the salvation of Benton Harbor. I am personally excited to join with some of the these ministries to serve Benton Harbor.

Here is an excerpt from an article about Benton Harbor, Mi that I received from YouthWorks (the organization we are doing our mission trip through).

"After its start in 1865, Benton Harbor became the thriving economic center for Michigan's fruit industry. At one time, the community boasted of the largest non-citrus fruit market in the world, as well as a popular tourist industry. Even such notorious personalities as Al Capone and his entourage were known to vacation in Benton Harbor, staying in the splendid downtown hotels.
Today, the city is struggling to overcome economic issues; many factories and auto parts manufacturers have shut down due to worldwide competition. As businesses closed, Benton Harbor suffered a severe population loss. The town was nicknamed the "plywood capital of the world," because of the number of boarded-up buildings downtown. Much of the available housing in Benton Harbor is substandard and in serious need of repair.
Benton Harbor's "twin city" - St. Joseph - lies just across the river. Benton Harbor stands out in stark contrast to St. Joseph. St. Joseph is a popular tourist spot known for its quaint shops and beautiful beaches, which gives the town the feel of a New England style coastal village. It is a 95% white affluent town. In contrast, Benton Harbor is a struggling 92% African-American community. These stark differences have caused bad feelings over the years. Much hurt and suspicion exists between these two very different, neighboring communities. This summer, your group has the opportunity to minister and serve the people of Benton Harbor."


Below are some statistics about Benton Harbor

• Population BentonHarbor 11,200
• Population of St. Joseph 8,800
• Benton Harbor - Racial Makeup: 92% African American, 5.5% White
• St Joseph - Racial Makeup: -90% White, 5% African American
• Married couples living together 20.8%
• Single parent house holds headed by a woman 42%
• 42% households have children under 18.
• Percentage of total population under 18: 39. 6%
• Median income: $17,471
• Only 49% of the population are High School graduates.


We could use your prayers and we would love for you to join us in prayer for our trip.

• Safety in traveling to and from Benton Harbor
• That God would work through us and touch those we are serving
• That God would give us the strength to serve
• That our faith would be challenged and we would grow closer to God

Here are some prayer requests for the city of Benton Harbor

• Pray for continued economic renewal and community rebuilding.
• Pray for a change of heart with community and church leadership.
• Pray that when people come to Benton Harbor they will see less of the racial breakdownbeing just a black and white issue, but rather would see more of Jesus.

I pray that this Mission Trip will be glorifying to God that He would move through the city of Benton Harbor like wildfire.