Deputation
Deputation represents the idea of being empowered by Jesus to go in his name to love the world. Every year, we gather our group of high school students to go and do exactly that. Each year looks a little different. This year, we are staying local and partnering with the organizing Mending Wings for what they call a S.L.A.M. trip.
Mending Wings
Mending Wings is a nonprofit, Native American youth organization located on the Yakama Reservation in Washington State. Native people have the highest teen suicide rate in the Western hemisphere—62% higher than the national average. It’s the second leading cause of death among Natives 15-24 years of age (60% of Yakama Nation enrolled members are age 25 and younger). Native people have the highest alcoholism rate (510% higher than the national average), the shortest life expectancy (average 40 years of age), the lowest percentage of high school graduates, the lowest per capita income, the highest levels of unemployment and the 2nd highest teen pregnancy rate in Washington State.
One out of three Native females will experience sexual assault in their lifetime. Violence, bullying and gangs are epidemic. Native communities have also experienced significant levels of loss with respect to their language, family values, cultural values, spirituality, land and community roles due to colonization. Mending Wings works hard to improve these harsh realities through their tried, tested and varied programs.
Students Learning About Missions (S.L.A.M.)
An opportunity to have a cross-cultural experience on the Yakama Reservation where our group will be taught to think and function within an indigenous biblical perspective.
Experiences
Along with service projects
such as chopping wood for elders, cleaning brush and garbage from yards,
painting over graffiti and painting houses, the participant will also receive
cultural orientation given by local Native Americans, will participate in a
Native American worship service, and experience traditional Native American
food.
Reconciliation
There has been harm done
between our two cultures. We have a chance to adopt a posture of learning and
listening, and to live into Jesus’ blessing on peacemakers and His invitation
to be reconciled to our hurt brother or sister.
Spiritual Formation
Our service and cultural
immersion will provide us a different lens by which we interact with the
gospel. This will be exciting in some areas and challenging in others. But at
the center will be Jesus.
We offer several opportunities for youth to gather during the week. Below are a few of our more popular options, as well as a revolving list of current events and opportunities to gather.
Sunday Gathering | Sundays 9-10:15am
Middle school and High School students are invited to join us on Sunday mornings for a time of fellowship and digging into the Bible together. Students are invited to participate in the start of worship service, and then are released to their respective middle school and high school spaces just before the message starts.
MERGE | 2nd & 3rd Sundays through the Summer | 7-8:30pm
High schoolers are invited to join us on the 2nd and 3rd Sundays of the summer (starting June
21st) from 7-8:30pm for an evening of fun and games at the sports court on campus. Be sure to
wear your sunscreen and come ready for fun, fellowship, and faith!
Check Calendar for details
Basic | 2nd & 3rd Wednesdays through the Summer | 6:30-8pm
Middle schoolers are invited to join us on the 2nd and 3rd Wednesdays of the summer (starting
June 17th) from 6:30-8pm for an evening of fun and games at the sports court on campus. Be
sure to wear your sunscreen and come ready for fun, fellowship, and faith!
Dinner not provided.
Check Calendar for details
Sunday Gathering | Sundays 9-10:15am
Middle school and High School students are invited to join us on Sunday mornings Sept. 15 – Dec. 15 for a time of fellowship and digging into the Bible together. Students are invited to participate in the start of worship service, and then are released to their respective middle school and high school spaces just before the message starts.
MERGE | Sundays 4-6pm
MERGE is for High School Students (9th – 12th Grade) to come together for fun, fellowship, and navigating the merging of our lives with our faith. We believe that we are better together and enjoy bringing our different experiences together. We would love for you to join us and experience an hour of games, fellowship, and relevant conversations followed by an hour in small groups where we get to encourage one another and grow.
BASIC | Wednesdays 6-7:30pm
Basic keeps things, well, pretty basic for middle schoolers. We play games, we have a short, easy to understand lesson from the Bible, and we get into groups for conversation and fellowship. But just because things are basic doesn’t mean they aren’t loads of fun. MS youth will have a chance at participating in The Impossible Shot, get a treat from the Snack Shack, laugh and potentially run hard with crazy games, and hear about Jesus in a way that matters to their lives.
Alpha Youth | Wednesdays 6-7:30pm
BEGINS 1/15/25
Alpha Youth is a series of conversations that explore the basics of Christianity in a welcoming environment. It’s a place where you can share what you think and ask your questions in a judgement-free space. Everyone’s welcome no matter your background or beliefs. We’ll have dinner at 5:15 (NORTH) and then at 6 pm we will watch an interesting video and have great conversation with other teens who have questions about life and faith (SOUTH). Bring your friends! Both dinner and the course are free.
Open Door | Wednesdays 3:30-5pm
The Open Door Group is for middle school and high school students (6th-12th grade) who just need a place to hang out after school on Wednesdays. There are snacks, games, and most of all the freedom to just be you and hang.
