Rise and Serve
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Rise and Serve: Junior High Summer Serve Days

RISE and Serve 2025 is a three-day local missions experience for Junior High students (Grades 6–8) at Living Gospel Church. From June 26–28, students will serve with various community partners to share the love of Christ through practical acts of service—from landscaping and light cleaning to organizing ministry spaces and helping with church projects.

Each student will serve one half-day per day (morning or afternoon) and will be paired with leaders and teammates as they step into meaningful opportunities to serve, grow, and reflect Christ in action.

This trip is designed to help students live out their faith, build team unity, and see how they can make a difference in their local community. Students will be responsible for their own lunches each day and will need to complete a general medical release form. Transportation and tools will be provided.

This form must be filled out by the parent/guardian of the student registering.

Thursday, June 26 Serve Options

Morning: Sharing the Bounty
Students will head to Sharing the Bounty, a local ministry that provides fresh produce and resources to families in need. They'll help with outdoor projects like planting, prepping a u-pick flower garden, and even constructing a windbreak using trees and fencing materials. It’s a great chance for students to work with their hands and see the impact of sustainable ministry.

Afternoon: Transformation Ministries
In the afternoon, students will serve at Transformation Ministries, which supports underserved families through community care and spiritual growth. Tasks may include organizing donation spaces, tidying up the kitchen area, and preparing the facility for future outreach. This location allows students to serve behind the scenes in a meaningful way.

Evening: RCC VBS Meal Service
To end the day, our students will help with dinner service during Redemption City Church’s VBS. They’ll serve meals, clean up, and bless another church body in action. It’s a fun and fast-paced evening, and a great way to build teamwork and humility.

Please note: Students should bring their own lunch and water bottle for the day. Dinner will be provided during the VBS meal service. Leaders will handle transportation and supervision for each part of the day.



Friday, June 27 Serve Options

Morning Session: Sharing the Bounty
Students returning to Sharing the Bounty will assist with indoor projects at their church facility. Tasks may include:
  • Installing new flooring in a hallway
  • Prepping and painting areas in the basement (pending completion of foundational sealing)
This session is a great fit for students who enjoy hands-on work and contributing to long-term improvements in a ministry space.

Afternoon Session: Cultivate Food Rescue (TBD)
Students will partner with Cultivate to support their mission of rescuing surplus food and redistributing it to families in need. Specific tasks will be assigned that afternoon and may include:
  • Sorting or packaging food
  • Organizing storage areas
  • Light cleaning or facility prep
This option is great for students passionate about fighting food insecurity and helping ministries run efficiently.

Please note: If you select Cultivate, there is an additional form required by the ministry. We also encourage parents to complete it on behalf of their child to ensure you're fully informed!

Saturday, June 28 Serve Options

Morning Session: LGC & FCDC Projects (Nappanee)
Students serving at Living Gospel Church and the Family Christian Development Center will assist with outdoor and indoor projects that directly support local families. Tasks may include:
  • Landscaping and yard work (mulching, raking, planting)
  • Cleaning and light maintenance inside the facilities
  • Visiting shut-in members of the church community to offer encouragement
This session is a great fit for students who want to serve locally and make a visible, personal impact in their church and neighborhood.

Afternoon Session: Transformation Ministries Outreach (South Bend)
Students will return to Transformation Ministries to support their outreach efforts through neighborhood engagement. Specific activities will include:
  • Conducting short, friendly surveys with local residents
  • Distributing care packages or flyers
  • Assisting with basic facility organization if needed
This option is a great fit for students who are willing to step out of their comfort zones, build community connections, and support ministry follow-up efforts.

Evening Activity: Celebration Hangout (Details Coming Soon!)
After Saturday’s serving sessions, we are planning a fun celebration hangout for all students who participated in Rise and Serve. Details are still being finalized, but we’ll share more information closer to the trip dates. All students are invited to join!

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