My name is Johnna Cory and I went on a spring break mission trip to South Bend, IN. Our team served at Transformation Ministries. This was my second time to go, and I have brought something back with me each time. The first year, we went door to door in the neighborhood asking them what they knew about Transformation Ministries. Most had very busy lives. Some people were feeding their kids or dogs or weren’t home at all.
This year we got to hear of how those encounters with the neighbors had really changed the foundation of Transformation Ministries. The staff is now going out to meet and talk with people in their yard – meeting them as they are. We heard one story of a family who had felt the impact of the continued visits. They now go to church and have a community for their kids as they grow up. I got to meet this family last year and now see how their life has changed from just one visit at the home.
We came back to Kansas City right before Easter and I wanted to bring that same sense of belonging to my neighbors. I wanted to meet them where they are and bringing them the love of Christ. My Mom and I decided to make about 100 cookies and take them to our neighbors’ around us. We also invited them to church on Easter.
Often, a relationship starts with a little hello or act of kindness, which can eventually turn someone to Christ. These trips have helped me realize the importance of seeking out non-church-going families, going out into the community and showing them love and healthy relationships. ¨We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us.¨ 2 Corinthians 5:20
The Apostle Paul traveled repeatedly to Galatia, Macedonia, and Achaia on multiple missionary journeys. This was my second trip to Greece. Like Paul, there were a number of individuals with whom it was my pleasure to see and visit with again. It was encouraging to see them continue to walk with Christ as they minister and serve in their local churches.
Much of the anticipation and anxiety we felt on our first PV mission trip to Greece was erased on this trip. We learned that the unknowns of a trip become less than while the somewhat familiar become greater than. We went with the same anchor objective and focus from the prior year – to teach the ReEngage marriage sessions to a number of evangelical churches in Athens and also five hours north of Athens to two new congregations. Our team also helped with maintenance at the refugee house property and meal preparation/feeding for approximately sixty homeless and special needs individuals.
So, did we see God at work on this trip? Indeed, we did. Here are three highlights in no particular order or ranking.
PVBC introduced the concept of small groups to the evangelical churches in Greece. We attended one such group and joined in their study of the books of Acts. This particular group was led by the pastor in the pastor’s home. There was also a second small group led by a couple within the church at a different location in the city of Athens. This is a big deal, as their culture believes that the only the pastor should be teaching/leading.
While taking a tour of a refugee camp with a church elder who has a heart for refugees, we met a man from Africa. He quickly identified himself as a Christian and was open to begin a Bible study with the church elder. It was my pleasure to give up my English Bible to this individual who has been in Greece for a couple of years without a copy of God’s written word.
Our first ReEngage session this trip was with a group of refugees from Iran. They would like the materials printed in Farsi. In Matthew 28:18-20 we are commanded to “…go and make disciples of all nations,” and PVBC said yes to Greece and God threw in Iran.
Unequivocally, God is working in Greece and He permitted me/us to witness such on this trip. How cool is that? To God be the glory. -Joel Barcus
Today our team began our adventure with a mission trip serving in our own city! We are partnering with different local organizations who are already doing good work in KC. The goal of this experience is for students to see that you don’t have to travel far away to serve others. We can be about the good work of taking the Gospel from ’Neighborhoods to Nations’ right in our own city!
Our day started by partnering with KC Parks and Rec Department. We helped with a trash clean up event on Paseo Blvd. Spending 1.5 hours walking up and down the Paseo with trash bags goes by fast. We picked up some very interesting items and gathered nearly 5 large trash bags of trash!
We stopped for a quick lunch at Winstead’s and then enjoyed a tour of Abundant Life Crossroads campus. Before leaving Crossroads, we prayer walked around the area. We then left for our final serving location for the day-Police Athletic League (PAL).
PAL is an incredible organization run by the KC Police Department. They serve at-risk youth by giving them a place to play sports and receive academic tutoring. After a tour of their awesome facility we then got to work painting their front entry way. The fresh paint helped insure that everyone who comes through their door feels welcomed and at ease. We had a great day of serving, and our group was definitely worn out from all the work accomplished!
Day 2
Day two serving in KC was wild, and these students did an awesome job of serving wherever needed. We spent our morning and late afternoon serving at Shelter KC, and volunteered the rest of our time at Harvester’s.
To start the morning, we grabbed coffee and pastries at Messenger Coffee on Grand (we love the rooftop views!). While walking from the car to the coffee shop, we struck up a conversation with Mark. Mark is a homeless man who had just been displaced and kicked out of a storage unit where he kept his belongings. He was a bit aggravated and upset at the situation. Despite this, he had an incredible spirit and joy that was evident because of his faith in Jesus. We listened to him, prayed with him, and invited him to lunch at Shelter KC for lunch.
After a tour of Shelter KC’s facility, students wiped down sleeping mats and served lunch to 60+ individuals. Students then ate with the men in the shelter and got sit and pray with Mark, the gentlemen we met earlier in the day. Mark had even invited a friend to come with him! Hearing the stories of the men was heavy as many of them have struggled with addiction and prison time. Yet there is evidence of redemption and healing in their story and that God is at work in their life.
Day 3
This day was our longest day of the week – over 12 hours! After some breakfast and devo time at Blip Coffee (one of the coolest coffee shops around!) we began the day back at Shelter KC. This time we did a neighborhood clean up in the surrounding block, picked up trash and cleaned up the outside of their facility.
After serving lunch at Shelter KC, we made our way back to Harvesters where we sorted and bagged corn. Let’s just say we were up to our ‘ears’ in corn!
We celebrated Vivienne’s birthday at Shelter KC in the afternoon. We had cupcakes and played card games with some of the men who are in the addiction recovery program there. For dinner our team split up. Half the team went to Hope Center to help them with a big event and the other half stayed to serve dinner at Shelter KC.
Students were tired, but they would say it’s a ‘happy tired.’ Despite the long hours, this team has had great attitudes, shown a lot of humility, and have been very open to however God wants to use them. They want to continue serving at Shelter KC even after this trip ends, and are already making plans for how to invite their friends and small groups to join them!
Day 4
Today was our final day serving in KC and we ended our trip by going to two new places on the Northeast side of the city. Our first stop of the morning was Eleos Coffee, which is also the same building where Refuge KC has their offices. Carson Myers, the director of Refuge KC, gave us an overview of the refugee need in Kansas City, and then gave us a tour of the neighborhood where they do ministry.
A main stop along the way was a Buddhist Temple, where we were able to go inside and meet with the temple monk to learn a bit more about their religion and practices. We were also able to stop at several locations where Refuge KC teaches English class, does community events, and partners with refugees in the community so that they all know they have a friend who is a follower of Jesus.
After stopping at a local Vietnamese restaurant for lunch (delicious!), we made our way to Healing House, a recovery ministry for men and women who are getting free from addiction and abuse. They own 15+ homes and apartment building in the Northeast neighborhood where men, women, and families can stay during their recovery process. Our group did some work projects for them, cleaning up debris and moving old furniture and boxes. It was hard labor, but it was a big blessing to the small maintenance staff team who would’ve had to do these projects on their own otherwise.
Students ended their trip at the KC Wheel, playing mini golf and riding the ferris wheel. They took in awesome views of the city they had just spent the last four days doing ministry for. Praying that these experiences stay with them and that this is not the last time they serve the city they call home. I am hopeful that the individuals and organizations they’ve come in contact with the past few days will be catalysts for not only their faith in Jesus, but that they’d see their school, friendships, and own neighborhood differently because of this experience.
We started our day with a self-guided tour of the Notre Dame Campus. We ate lunch in town and spent several hours shopping for the Family Event we are hosting on Thursday night. This evening we had dinner at Transformation Ministries with a few staff members and their Next Level Team. Next Level students are high school juniors and seniors who have taken on a leadership role within Transformation. The students of this program gave us a tour of the facility and we also talked about the various aspects of Transformation Ministries and their goals and values.
Day 2
The morning started off with breakfast and getting to know the Transformation Staff. Kory Lantz, founder of Transformation Ministries, took us on a walking tour of the Keller Park neighborhood. God planted the vision for Kory and his wife Ally to live here and meet/invest in the lives of their neighbors.
After lunch we heard some stories of the lives transformed by the ministry Kory and his team provide. Our team split up into three groups with some working with City Light Kids (CLK) (K-5 grade students), some with the Iron Sharpens Iron (ISI) students (6th-12th grade), and some organizing and prepping for the party PV is hosting on Thursday night.
CLK kids heard the Bible story from Luke 5 about the four friends who lowered their friend to meet Jesus. The kids made cross necklaces, played games, and got to know our kids. The ISI students heard about entrepreneurship and had an opportunity to develop and present their own business idea (think Shark Tank) to a panel of judges. We ate dinner with our host families and ISI students, played some large group games and got to know our host families more. Our day was long and full, but also rewarding and life giving at the same time.
Day 3
This morning we heard about Transformation Ministries’ vision to open an early childhood development center, Transformation Ministry Early Childhood Empowerment Center. This would bring to fruition their desire to complete the circle by offering programming from newborns thru early adulthood. Our team split into groups to survey the neighborhood and gauge interest in a facility and program like this. A specific prayer request in regard to this adventure is that Transformation would be able to purchase the two vacant lots directly next to their facility to build the early childhood center.
After lunch our team spent some time preparing for the family celebration event that we are planning for tomorrow night. We went back to Transformation for afternoon programing with City Light Kids and Iron Sharpens Iron students. This evening several of our team helped one of our host families and Chef T prepare dinner for the students and team. We played more games with the ISI students and host families, and spent some time giving ‘shout outs’ and how we’ve encountered Jesus this week.
Day 4
Today our team spent some time with the Transformation ministries staff to talk about “Crayon moments” (ask a team member to explain that) and just reflecting on the week. Most of our day was spent cooking, setting up games and preparing for our Family Go for the Gold party we are hosting tonight! It was a great opportunity for the PV team to bless the Transformation team and their families! There are lots of pictures in the link below.
We are heading home tired, but our hearts are full. We feel abundantly blessed to have had the week in South Bend, IN with the Transformation Ministry Families!
On Saturday March 22nd, eleven students and four adults embarked on mission to New York City. The team settled into their lodging at the New York School of Urban Ministry and set out to see the city God has called them to serve this week. As the team ascended from the steps of the NY subway system that transported them from Queens to Manhattan, their senses were overwhelmed with the sights and sounds of Time Square. It was a sight to behold. As we navigated our way toward dinner we were face to face with those desperately in need of the love from a Heavenly Father that we have been blessed to represent and reflect this week.
Day 2
This morning, the NYC student team navigated the subway and Time Square to arrive in Hell’s Kitchen and join our ministry partner, One Community Church, for worship. Upon arrival, our team was welcomed warmly by church leaders and broken up into several serve teams to pass out hand warmers and hot chocolate to neighbors in the street, assemble community Easter invites, coordinate kids curriculum for the children’s lesson, and even leading congregational worship with the OCC worship team. After church we had lunch with several staff members and leaders of the church.
Day 3
We began our day with New York bagels and a time of orientation with the pastor of One Community Church, Chris Mills. Chris shared with us a biblical vision of mission within his community and how we would play an active role in “engaging society” with the hope of sharing Gods love with those far from Him. Even though the weather was not great, it didn’t stop the Lord from accomplishing His plan. We completed a prayer walk through the community of Hell’s Kitchen focusing on the work God is doing through individuals of OCC in local parks and various ministry partners.
We also engaged in a “Blessing Outreach” to love on the community of HK as an extension of OCC. Because of the cold and rain, the community was very responsive to our gifts of ponchos, hand warmers, and hot chocolate and the Lord provided our student team with several opportunities to listen and learn about the people we have been sent to serve. Our students took advantage of every opportunity that came their way to listen, encourage, and even pray with the residents of Hell’s Kitchen.
Day 4
We started our day with a visit to our favorite breakfast spot, The Grind, just down the street from One Community Church. Afterwards, we went on a prayer walk through the surrounding neighborhood. This area has so much potential to experience God’s light, and we’re praying that the community continues to feel the impact of God’s pursuit through the work of One Community Church and their dedicated team. Please join us in praying for lasting change in this area.
We also ask for your prayers for Encore- a community meal delivery service that brings food and love to elderly residents. The staff there are so patient, loving, and intentional in their work, and they pour their hearts into serving the community. Please pray for the resources needed to continue this important ministry and for the clients who receive the meals.
In the afternoon, our group spent some time cleaning up the streets of New York City. It was humbling to see how much the locals appreciated our efforts, with many thanking us for work that is so needed. The gratitude was overwhelming, and we couldn’t help but give all the praise to God for allowing us to serve in this way.
Later, we had the chance to connect with people on the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise and at Anita Gelato. The diversity in the crowds was incredible and our students were bold in striking up conversations with anyone who would listen. Please pray that the seeds we planted during these interactions will take root and lead to a deeper trust and faith in Christ, especially for those who don’t yet know Him.
A five member team traveled to Greece for a ten day working mission trip. We worked at four churches and a refugee apartment building with our Greek partners to paint and complete minor construction projects.
First stop: Greek Evangelical Church – Ioannina (located in a mountainous region of Northern Greece)
Our project was to assess the condition of the concrete roof of the parsonage which leaks during storms. We removed tree branches and vines from around the building and cleaned debris from the roof and gutters. We also scraped the ceilings of the parsonage rooms and repainted them. Two elders were available to assist us and over eight hours of work was completed leaving the building looking younger.
Better together.
Second stop: Greek Evangelical Church – island of Corfu
This is a popular tourist location, receiving over 500 cruise ships each year! We went expecting to paint the outside of the church, but the weather changed our plans. We went to plan “B” and painted a concrete spiral staircase inside. The outside marble landing leading into the front of the church was in need of re-caulking as well. There were six members of their church who worked with us that day.
Better together.
Third stop: Greek Evangelical Church of Nikaia – central Athens, an older neighborhood
Pastor Tasos
This church has three stories and the inside of the church had not been painted in over 20 years. We worked on the third floor which has six classrooms, bathrooms, the pastor’s office and a conference room. With the help of six individuals from the church, we quickly completed these rooms and the rest of the third floor.
Better together.
Message from Pastor Tasos Hello! Ι wanted to thank you again so much for your help, love, generosity, availability and hard work. The final result was great! Your love inspired people of our church and they formed a team to do various small projects in our church building. Once again, Thank you very VERY MUCH! Blessings, Tasos
Fourth stop: Greek Evangelical Church – Piraeus
In September 2023, we had a team come to paint the entire sanctuary. We came back to install new LED lights on the columns on each side of the sanctuary. We were able to reconnect with the pastor and an elder of this church and volunteered at their homeless day center that afternoon.
Better together.
Bonus stop: Voula House – Voula
Being flexible is always necessary when on a mission trip . Working on a refugee apartment building in Voula was not on the schedule. We found out they had a studio apartment that needed ceiling repairs and painting before they could move a refugee family in and our team jumped in to help. The team selflessly chose to use their last day of the mission trip to work on this apartment rather than to have time off. We worked with seven refugees who helped paint and plaster the ceiling in the apartment, the hallway and another apartment bathroom.
Better together.
Why send work teams to Greece?
First, we have many very handy individuals at PV who love to serve and feel that the best way to serve is to offer their skills in acts of service. Unlike most Americans who have homes, most Greeks live their entire lives in apartments and do not have the opportunity to do DIY projects at home. They do not have the experience or know how to complete these projects. Because of this, most of the Greek churches have not been painted for over a decade or two and do not have members who know how to paint.
When we go, we insist we work with Greek volunteers everywhere we work so that we can teach them skills needed to help maintain their own church. This time together also gives our team the opportunity to build relationships, learn about Greece and Greek life, give encouragement, and display Christ-like love.
We also taught HoOmAn, a refugee from Iran, how to plaster the walls and ceiling of the refugee house. He will now be able to do this type of repair when it is needed instead of waiting for us to return. The old saying, give a man a fish and he eats one meal, teach a man to fish and he will feed himself for many days. We are teaching our Greek friends to fish.
Much needed work was accomplished, friendships were formed, and future mission opportunities were discovered and planned. We were all spiritually changed knowing that God’s Kingdom is so much larger than our personal neighborhoods/cities. Our team will always cherish the new friendships created that will last for eternity.
