Family Mission Trip 2011

Point of Grace Community Church, Broward County, Florida

What a priviledge it was to work with a church who wanted an on-going relationship with Parkridge!  Even before starting to work with the people at Point of Grace, they were interested in a "mentor/mentoree" relationship.

Our High Schoolers started off the work with a youth rally and then leading the Sunday services.  The work continued with nightly children's ministry, door-to-door surveys, and various work projects.  Unique to this trip was the connection with the worship ministry. 

Special mentions go to Dennis Brossette who served as our "foreman", Force flooring for donating flooring and installation, and to the many who invested much sweat!  Parkridgers proved themselves to be a serving church once again!

Family Mission Trip 2010

Homestead/Florida City - USDA Housing with Esperanza in Cristo

 For 2010, our church stayed closer to home but went further in culture when we decided to reach out to residents of the migrant farmer camp in Homestead, FL.  Those some resident had lived in the housing facility for up to 3 years, most adults did not know much English.  However, the children and youth were fluent and interested in interacting.  Our church helped the core group from Esperanza en Cristo hold a Vacation Bible School.  The theme was western - Saddle Ridge Ranch.  Once again, Parkridgers executed beautifully under the guidance of Stacey Boyette.

In addition our group, handed out fliers for a church starting in the Homestead Area - Bridgeway Church.  We also held a block party and age group ministry at the site.  Some were able to do two nights of ministry in local prisons, as well.

Family Mission Trip 2009

Lake Yale Assembly - Camp of Champions with Florida Baptist Childrens Home

 IN 2008 our pastor saw an article of a young adult group help the Florida Baptist Childrens Home put on their annual camp for the children living in their facilities accross the state.  God laid on his heart the idea of our church doing the same thing - with our kids and all!  The concept was welcomed and we began working to provide the program for the approximately 150 children that would be present with their House Parents.  The them was "Mission Possible".  We encouraged the children to think about the possibility that God could use them for His work of spreading the Good News around the world.

The camp was a blast and the relationship made with the Children's Home was so good (especially with the Miami campus) we considered ministering together in 2010

Family Mission Trip 2008

Gallery Church - Baltimore, MD

 Our second family mission trip focused on a new church start in Baltimore, Maryland.  The church was a part of the North American Mission Board's  Startegic Focus City emphasis.  Of the many opportunties there, we chose to help Ellis Prince with starting Gallery Church - Baltimore.  Ellis had a a great plan and modeled some of his outreach after Gallery Church- New York.

Our tasks focused on a Sports Camp in a park not far from Johns Hopkins Hospital.  The park was on a border of an upscale neighborhood and a less priviledged neighborhood of government housing.  Once again our families raised to the occaision.  "Flexibility" was fleshed out.  The entire community could see our love displayed there - at the park, and at a few community clean-ups.  One project was whipping a charter school into shape through some heavy-duty clean-up.  Our t-shirts asked the question, "What if we decided everyone matters?"  A couple of time people thanked us for work prior groups had done.  God was building a great reputation for a church that didn't even exist yet!

Since that time, Gallery church has grown to 3 meeting places, an official church office, and has hosted several "City Uprisings" along side the New York congregation.  As of December 2010, they are now gathering in 9 small groups in various neighborhoods.

Family Mission Trip 2007

Urban Impact New York - Queens, NY

 Our first Family mission trip was to work with a ministry called Urban Impact New York.  What seemed like a simple trip to New York was truly a  world missions event.  We focused on sharing with Pakistanis and Indians in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens.  Our team's main assignment was a Mission VBS in the afternoons.  We were generating interest in an upcoming community center for Pakistanis/Afghans and other.  Our families handled public transportation with joy.  We were an entertaining group on the buses and subways!

Since our trip the community center was established and ministry continues from that location.  Now Urban Impact is seeking to establish another communbity center further south in Queens. 

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