North Ireland Spring Break Trip
Students share faith with North Ireland youth
Philip Wilmot
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: News
Over spring break, eight Messiah students, known as the "Mess Team," embarked on a mission trip to Northern Ireland.
This trip, initially started by students, has been an annual undertaking of the Agape Center for nearly a decade. This year, students partnered with the Church of the Nazarene, located in Lurgan, approximately one hour outside of Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Most of the services performed by the group were done in public schools and at the church. According to second-time participant and student trip leader Meghan Holland, the youth were the primary emphasis.
"It's great for the kids in Northern Ireland to have older role models," said Holland. "We are able to be effective because the kids think that we are cool. We are older and from a different country, so they are interested in us. Many of the kids do not have good role models, so this means a lot to them."
Although the numbers in the Church of the Nazarene's youth group have diminished since last year's trip, Messiah College students say they had an excellent time working with the kids of the community.
"We were able to build relationships that are ongoing," said Jason Potoka, student co-leader of the trip. "We can still keep in touch through Facebook, and a few members of the youth group will be staying at my house for part of the summer."
After-school youth gatherings, including a lock-in event, were held for the Mess Team to have opportunities to play with, love, encourage, and guide the youth. Sometimes the goal was simply to have a good time, while at other times the Mess Team made it a point to communicate with the youth through serious discussions on such topics as sexual activity.
The team was able to demonstrate their faith and impact the community through public schools in Lurgan's community. In Northern Ireland, students and staff cannot simply talk about their faith in public schools. However, people are encouraged to dialogue about spirituality, especially through religious education classes.
This trip, initially started by students, has been an annual undertaking of the Agape Center for nearly a decade. This year, students partnered with the Church of the Nazarene, located in Lurgan, approximately one hour outside of Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Most of the services performed by the group were done in public schools and at the church. According to second-time participant and student trip leader Meghan Holland, the youth were the primary emphasis.
"It's great for the kids in Northern Ireland to have older role models," said Holland. "We are able to be effective because the kids think that we are cool. We are older and from a different country, so they are interested in us. Many of the kids do not have good role models, so this means a lot to them."
Although the numbers in the Church of the Nazarene's youth group have diminished since last year's trip, Messiah College students say they had an excellent time working with the kids of the community.
"We were able to build relationships that are ongoing," said Jason Potoka, student co-leader of the trip. "We can still keep in touch through Facebook, and a few members of the youth group will be staying at my house for part of the summer."
After-school youth gatherings, including a lock-in event, were held for the Mess Team to have opportunities to play with, love, encourage, and guide the youth. Sometimes the goal was simply to have a good time, while at other times the Mess Team made it a point to communicate with the youth through serious discussions on such topics as sexual activity.
The team was able to demonstrate their faith and impact the community through public schools in Lurgan's community. In Northern Ireland, students and staff cannot simply talk about their faith in public schools. However, people are encouraged to dialogue about spirituality, especially through religious education classes.
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