Local Missions | Communications Department
Minnesota ministries are finding fresh excitement for missions opportunities close to home this year. Leaders across youth, children, and women’s ministries rally around projects meeting practical and spiritual needs in overlooked and underserved communities, both in Minnesota and nationally.
That passion for ministry in these communities has created excitement among Minnesota churches and ministries, refining focus on missions opportunities, right in our own backyard.
Nationally, leaders from Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge (BGMC) and Speed the Light (STL) are highlighting the Alaska Project this year, helping to provide practical equipment like generators, ATVs, and snowmobiles so missionaries can continue reaching isolated communities. Michelle Kocak, Minnesota Student Ministries (MSM) Administrator, explained that missionaries are “willing to go to the ends of Alaska to help people know the gospel,” but often need support and equipment to make those trips possible. Efforts through MSM’s Speed the Light initiatives and projects like 30 for Freedom continue as students give their time and energy to support missions efforts and anti-trafficking ministries.
Continued efforts through BGMC are also encouraging kids and families to engage with projects like Convoy of Hope, helping children and teenagers experience missions through its children’s feeding programs and disaster relief efforts.
Women’s Ministries is seeing similar momentum through Single Moms Retreat (SMR), as more churches begin treating the event as a local missions opportunity. Churches are sending volunteer teams, supporting the retreat financially, and helping serve single mothers in meaningful ways. “Churches are beginning to see SMR as a local mission trip,” Angie Goetz, Minnesota Women’s Ministries Director, shared. She added, “You can go to Alexandria for 48 hours … and serve.”
Minnesota leaders are excited to cast this vision to Minnesota Students and Children, knowing that the focus will be met with the same enthusiasm and passion among the next generation.
Whether it’s supporting missionaries in Alaska, serving single moms in Minnesota, or investing in the many local missions opportunities throughout our state and country, passion is being reignited for what God has placed right in front of us. Sometimes, the mission field is closer than we think.
