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NEW ORLEANS?More than 100 people ages 6 to 72 loaded up the Glenview Baptist Church mini-bus and vans to participate in their fourth consecutive spring break family mission trip.
“The trip made a difference in our lives, not just [the lives] of the people in New Orleans,” said Zach Zettler, a Glenview associate pastor.
This year marked their third trip to New Orleans for rebuilding and relief work; last year the team offered assistance to Hurricane Ike-ravaged Galveston.
While there are numerous options available for mission trips, a trip focused on doing skilled labor “was an excellent way to mix older and younger generations. The older generations teach the younger ones how to do the skilled labor,” Zettler said.
“We noticed that there are a lot of people in our congregation with construction experience. We decided to take a mission trip where they can use their talents and abilities,” Zettler added.
According to Zettler, a family trip is an opportunity for parents and children to serve together and see each other as missionaries. Parents have a hands-on opportunity to disciple their children and show them how to share the gospel through the platform of serving.
David Henn was a team leader on a paint crew this year. His family (wife and three children) participates every year.
“We’ve been able to talk to people who walk up [when we are working] and share the gospel. They are very receptive and open to hearing why we’re there,” Henn said.
Henn’s daughter was able to share the gospel with a few girls she met in a low-income housing area. The Henns were in a low-income housing area to give away free socks. As they gave away the socks, more people from the neighborhood came to see what was going on.
“There’s an opportunity to share while you’re serving,” Henn emphasized.
The church’s associate worship leader, Sam Jones III, leads the 6th-10th grade musical group Chosen. The group uses step, dance, and trashcan/bucket percussion performances to attract listeners. This year, members of Chosen performed in New Orleans schools, a juvenile detention center, and Jackson Square.
With the approval of school principals, Jones “brought the gospel in the schools ? they let me share what we are about and why we do what we do,” he said.
Providing an opportunity for the entire family to participate in mission trips benefits the church and family.
The trips “intentionally move the church across age barriers ? and cross generations in our church so that we do not separate kids and adults,” Zettler said.
“Our church rallies around the mission trip. It’s brought our church closer together,” Henn said.
“Working side by side with my family ? seeing my kids catch a vision for mission trips is really an exciting experience,” Brenda Olson said.
The Olsons have “experienced bringing hope to hurting people” on mission trips.
For Brenda, seeing new families and individuals participate in the trip is rewarding; it continues to ignite a passion for missions within the church body.
Returning to New Orleans year after year has allowed returning team members to “see the transformation from studs to sheetrock, to now living in the home,” Zettler said.
The group is divided into small teams; each team completes distinct tasks throughout the week. Some teams sheetrock while others paint and do landscape work.
Regardless of the teams’ tasks, every location a team works, they find the opportunity to pray with homeowners and share the gospel, planting seeds within everyone who asks, “Why are you here for your spring break?”
“The people of New Orleans see people willing to give back during spring break. It’s been years since Hurricane Katrina but there are still churches that care about New Orleans?it’s opened doors for evangelism,” Zettler said.
“I’m proud of my church. People are excited about this trip and look forward to this trip every year,” Zettler said.
