David Barnes, Director of Youth and Family Ministries
Calvary Presbyterian Church, San Francisco
As a long-time youth director in California, it has often been quite an adventure to find a mission trip partner. Is it affordable? How much work will it take for us to get there? In addition to airfare, there are vans to be rented, and who knows what else?
“SSP practices joyful and committed community service in a way that allows volunteers to truly feel at home in these communities.”
When I first connected with Sierra Service Project, it was with the intent of serving people in a somewhat local community and being able to drive there. I had two trips to plan, two sets of forms, two communication plans, and was going crazy until I connected with the kind folks at SSP. They immediately listened to me, heard my concerns, and then went about making my life a lot easier. By the time we were done, our middle schoolers had been to Chiloquin, OR, our high schoolers had been to Stockton, CA, and I was surrounded by happy kids and satisfied adults.
SSP practices joyful and committed community service in a way that allows volunteers to truly feel at home in these communities. The days were long but well-managed. The spiritual content was commendable for how welcoming it was, without keeping God and Jesus at arm’s length. We loved being there, and hated leaving. When it came time to start thinking about our 2018 trip, I heard lots of requests for SSP and, “Can we go back again?” Music to a youth director’s ears!
If you want cost-effective, energetic, and meaningful programming with people that care about what you want for your youth, SSP is at the top of my list!
Editor’s Note: David served in 2016 alongside his middle and high school youth in both Stockton, CA and Chiloquin, OR. He is now preparing his group for Summer 2018. Sign-ups open October 9th, so read through our Summer Information Packet now to learn more about our programs and how to register!