Engage in God's kingdom work in Aurora!
Monday, June 09, 2025 - Friday, June 13, 2025
Email Event Coordinator, Ethan Wentzlaff
Team Leader: Ethan Wentzlaff
Who: Current 6-12th Grade Students
Dates: June 9-13, 2025
For several years, our student ministry has served in a variety of projects, partnering with Wayside Cross Urban Youth Ministry, a local ministry our church supports that does amazing work in the community all year long. We will help run the day camp in the early afternoons and also have a meal at Wayside Cross on one of the evenings.
Why Aurora?
We want our Student Ministry to be introduced to, exposed to, and immersed in the ongoing ministry in our neighboring community of Aurora. We want our students to gain an understanding of and a renewed passion for the work that God is doing in their local community, with the hope that they will come to see how God is at work all around them and around the world, and so continue to foster an emphasis on missions. This trip will involve a variety of opportunities for students to serve. It is great exposure to see that serving God can involve so many different activities that cater to all the different skills and passions God has given each one of us. The week will be a great experience for teenagers to learn that they can find a place to serve now and do not need to wait until they are older. We desire to see this week transform the hearts and minds of students, igniting their desire to be involved in serving God in creative ways all year long.
While this is mainly a student trip, we would like to invite all who are interested in serving to join us! In fact, we need adults who have a heart for Jesus and teens to help facilitate this trip.
What will we do?
1. UYM Day Camp
We will run a Vacation Bible School type of ministry. This will take place at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, which is located in the Aurora/Montgomery area. Students will be responsible for Bible stories, crafts and game times not to mention sharing the love of Jesus with the students.
2. Fellowship & Growth
Each evening will focus on fellowship and spiritual growth as a team. In recent years, we’ve had limited time to truly connect and build relationships, but this year will be different. Instead of going home each night, we’ll stay together for a full week—sharing meals, serving, and engaging in activities that strengthen our dynamic as a team. To create this immersive mission experience, we’ll be housed at our Naperville Campus, living life together in a way that deepens both our faith and our relationships.
The Cost
$165
For the past few years, this trip has been a day-only event (Monday–Friday), but this year we’re bringing back the overnight trip! We will be staying at the Naperville Campus, and the total cost for the trip has increased to $165 per student. While you are responsible for the $25 non-refundable deposit, you can either raise the remaining $140 and/or pay the amount out of your own pocket.
Note: Mission trip payments & gifts, are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. If you are unable to participate in this planned ministry, your funds will be used to support the missions program of the church per its discretion and control.
Who should come on this trip?
We’re looking for mature students, GRADES 6-12, and adults who have a passion for serving their local community, love children, and are willing to do what it takes to show the love of Christ to those around them.
Important Dates
March 16: Info Meeting | 9:40 & 10:50 AM
March 19: Info Meeting | 8:30 PM
March 31: Application & $25 Deposit Due
April 10: Team Finalized
Team Meetings | 1-3 PM
Apr 27, May 11, & June 1
Aurora Mission Trip Application: Due March 31
Due to limited space, we will only be accepting 15-20 students to come on the trip.
For your application to be considered complete, you must turn in all of the following:
- Application/Deposit of $25
- Parent Reference
- Leader Reference
Click here to apply
Click here for Parent Reference Form
Click here for Leader Reference Form
Questions
Ethan Wentzlaff