YouthWorks 2026: Stepping Out in Faith

This year, we made the decision to take the youth group on a YouthWorks trip to Wilmington, NC, and it was better than I could have ever imagined. God always has a tendency to show up in huge ways on trips like these, and blow every expectation out of the water, and this trip was by no means an exception.

At first glance, Wilmington may not seem like a city in desperate need of mission teams and service projects. But the truth is that it is a city much like our own. Everywhere we look there are people in need of support, community, and basic necessities, and there are countless opportunities to show up and serve. Wilmington is also a city that has been deeply impacted by hurricanes, and rebuilding efforts can take years to complete — something many of us have seen firsthand in Western North Carolina in recent years.

That being said, there was no shortage of tasks that our group was able to help with. One of our groups was able to work on a home for a lady who had been living there since the ‘70s. They helped her with her flooring that needed replacing, and many other smaller tasks that she just was not able to do by herself, and she left them with the parting words, “I hope to see you again in glory.”

The group I had the privilege of serving alongside rebuilt a rotting platform and staircase behind a trailer home, power washed the exterior of the house until it looked brand new again, and replaced flooring in the kitchen. Because we partnered with WARM NC, they were able to accomplish so much more for this homeowner than would have otherwise been possible. WARM NC was an incredible organization to work with. Their construction leaders were patient, kind, and intentional — not simply teaching our students how to finish a job, but how to do it well.

Our third team had the opportunity to serve in a different ministry setting each day. Throughout the week they volunteered at a local thrift ministry, a food bank, a diaper bank, and spent time helping repair and beautify a home through painting and yard work.

This group was also given an unexpected opportunity to bless a stranger they encountered on the side of the road with food and prayer. It was a beautiful moment as students stepped out in faith, prayed with him, embraced him, and spoke hope and encouragement into his life. In that simple act of obedience, they showed the love of Christ to someone they had never met.

But this trip wasn’t just special because of the projects that we were able to do, perhaps the best part of the trip was what happened back at homebase. This was when we all came together, shared about our days, and processed through what happened. And on the last night, we had the privilege of washing each other’s feet. This is perhaps one of the most holy moments we can experience together, as we do exactly what Jesus did for his disciples. And it was on this night, that every single student and leader heard very specific words from the Lord. He spoke and rested upon all of us — you could touch his presence in the air. It was one of those moments you never forget. And as we walked away from that moment, we all felt light, as our souls had truly found rest and restoration in his presence.

Anyone can go on a construction trip. But what makes these experiences transformative is not simply the work that gets done — it is the opportunity to share and experience the love of Jesus. Jesus is the one who makes the lasting difference, and these students get that.

One student said “I didn’t know that I could grow this much in 5 days.”

This trip was incredible not only because of the projects we completed, though those were certainly meaningful, but because every student and leader came home changed for the better. We came home different because we encountered Jesus.

So as you hear stories from our students and the faithful team of adult volunteers who served alongside them, I invite you to ask them not only about the projects they worked on, but about their experiences with Jesus during the week.

Ask them what they learned.

Ask them how they were changed.

Ask them where they saw God move.

Because at the end of the day, that is what youth ministry is all about.