Jolt Students put on Kid's Club   (July 2011)
Each year, our high school students who are a part of the Jolt group at Grace Church embark on
a mission. They load up in the vans and make a journey to a destination within the US to serve and
love on that chosen community for a week. The goal of  this week, for those involved, is to
share the love of Christ with all they come in contact with.

After our trip last year to Swan Quarter, North Carolina, the students were effected in a
profound way.  As we took time to reflect together at the end of last year's journey, their hearts
cry was to serve and be an example for Christ right where we are in Pekin, Illinois.  They were
challenged to look for those needing Christ right here-their neighbors, friends, those in the
community-and be a light for those folks.  So, we began to pray that night.  We asked God for
direction, wisdom, and His vision to guide our plans and use us for His purpose. The students
were led to bring up all sorts of things, but the one thing that came up again and again was the
children who live in our public housing.  We should go to these students, put on a Kid's Club
for them, and bring the message of Christ to their door-right where they are in Pekin!

So, our vision for our summer mission 2011 was born that night in a beach motel meeting room
outside of a town in North Carolina.  We decided toat we would use our talents, resources, and
time this summer to bring Christ to the kids who live in the public housing, So, we began to
take the necessary steps to do just that.  We started by applying for a grant through the Youth
Works ministry.  We were awarded a $1,000 grant to help with the cost of the outreach.  This
helped out so much and encouraged us in the begining as we began to plan crafts, lessons,
games, snacks, and all sorts of fun centered on Christ for these kids.

After much planning and a super effort by all, the week we had planned was here.  We had
about 30 kids total that we served from the housing and we held two different ministries for
them.  One ministry was a VBS type of club that was intended for elementary students.  We
found that many of the youngest residents (some as young as two years old) were the ones who
needed our attention the most and we were happy to serve them throughout the week.  The
second ministry we provided was a sports camp. Sports camp was an outreach designed by
some of our high school boys to use sports to reach older jr high students.  The gospel was clearly
presented and relationships were formed between the students and the children living in the
housing.  Bibles were distributed to every child attending and we had a cookout for the housing
community on Wednesday night of that week.  Everyone banded together in our group for the
good of sharing Christ and planned an amazing week for the kids we served. We had so many
Jolt parents help that week too!  It was a wonderful experience and we are excited about how
we will continue to serve at the housing.  The opportunities are great and we are open to the
Lord's leading... so stay tuned.        By Leslie Masterson
Grace United Methodist Church
601 N 4th Street    
Pekin, IL  61554
Phone  309 347-7131
Radical is the jr. and sr. high student ministry at Grace United
Methodist Church. We strive to teach the Gospel and then reach out
with that same Gospel  to those around us.