Southland's Global Missions team has partnered with Orchard Group and Ozark Christian College to provide a unique experience to young people interested in pursuing urban ministry opportunities.

For ten days, Orchard Group teaches a class called "Strategies for Church Health and Growth" that provides a snapshot of what it is like to serve in an urban ministry such as New York. One of the students recently shared some of his thoughts on this class.

My first thought when I got out of the airport and into the cab was, "Whoa, this is so busy!" You could feel the fast paced life, and that we were strangers to it. It was crazy for me to see so much diversity. It really opened my eyes to the vision of a diverse church culture.

It was great to hear from all the different church planters. It made me excited and anxious to see what God has in store for my church planting future. They challenged us to step out of our comfort zone and live where we are going to serve. They challenged some of us to join pre-existing missions instead of always feeling the need to create a new church plant.

Some of the students who came through this program are already serving in the relief efforts in Japan. Others are preparing to plant another church in Osaka, Japan. Thanks for investing in the lives of young people through Southland's Global Mission team!

Global Missions team