God Sighting: Being a Blessing & Building the Church

It was a true honor to be asked by Ian to be a part of the 2021 Youth Mission Trip as a caring adult leader. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity for this mountain-top experience alongside my daughter, Kimbal, 39 youth and 12 adult and college leaders. And it was so much more than I ever imagined.

Before we left, I would tell you I was on the trip because my daughter was going. I have also been a committed leader at Sheridan – serving on Council and praise team, attending spring break retreats, leading Confirmation small groups and shepherding Sunday school. So, this trip would be one more way I could serve the church. My passion for Sheridan is no secret – and the experience of this trip has deepened it.

Throughout the week, I quickly realized that God put this opportunity in front of me to give me a greater understanding of our high school youth. They are simply amazing. Fun, silly and witty! Smart, loving and hard-working. But they are also deep, complex and fragile. They are supportive of, and compassionate with each other. They have struggles, including dealing with various family situations, school, jobs, mental and physical health, sexuality and thoughts of self-harm. The list is endless.

I am concerned that I, prior to this trip, have been over-critical and lacking in understanding and compassion. I have often been guilty of judging others by my version of “normal” – not giving the grace to others that our Father, God, has given to us all.

Ian frequently exclaims – “Thanks for being a blessing!” and “Thanks for building the Church!” I have learned that mission trips make both of these exclamations come to life. On this trip, our youth were a blessing to the citizens of Newnan, Georgia, as they helped clear debris from the F4 Tornado that caused massive destruction last spring. We were able to meet and talk with many of the homeowners and receive their thanks and see their tears of joy and relief. We were able to carry the message of God’s love to them through our service.

They were a blessing to the town of Tallapaloosa, Georgia, restoring a public park by removing graffiti, doing landscaping and cleaning and painting playground structures. They were a blessing when they cleaned the town museum – cleaning bathrooms, mopping floors, washing windows and dusting display cases. They were a blessing when they smiled at citizens we visited and shared our Father’s love by their mere presence. They were a blessing when they shared in devotion time with their small groups and leaders. They were a blessing when they handled multiple obstacles and setbacks that we encountered during our travels.

They were building the Church when they worked in community with each other – as we are all called to do – being the hands and feet of God. They were building the Church when they planned and participated in worship. They were building the Church when they supported each other as they shared their joys and struggles.

They were a blessing to me when they accepted me in. When they asked my advice, needed my help, accepted my mothering, taught me how to use new apps, held my hands in prayer and gave and accepted hugs.

I was building the Church when I said yes to Ian and stepped on the bus with my Bible and backpack. I will be building the Church at home by helping others to understand the importance of our youth. There are so many ways we can support them. We can listen, really listen, to them. Give grace. Pray for them and with them. We can reach out and offer help. We can be a blessing to them and WE will all be building the Church together.

Written by Jeanne McClure, Caring Adult Leader & Youth Parent