Youth Outreach

Outreach is an important part of the mission of St. John’s youth ministries. Youth are provided with opportunities to reach out into our own community to share the awesome messages of God’s love for all people and follow Christ’s example as a servant. Opportunities are available at all age levels. Youth in senior high have special opportunities to grow and share their faith while assisting our global neighbors.  

In order for our youth mission teams to go out in serve in Christ’s love, it takes the support of the entire church. The youth community comes together to participate in fundraisers to draw financial support for youth missions. However our fundraisers are not all about making funds, but an opportunity to come together in our community for fellowship, outreach, and to grow together in faith. Each event unites us as we are the hands and feet of Christ in our world. 

• Brat Sale- The youth of St. John’s offer a brat stand each year in conjunction with Lakeville’s Pan-o-Prog parade held in early July. Proceeds go towards youth mission trips.
• Caramel Rolls- St. John’s youth sell caramel rolls between services Sunday mornings during the first Sunday of the month to raise funds for youth mission trips.
• Easter Breakfast & Flower Sales- St. John’s youth organize and serve the Easter Breakfast as well as sell flowers used to decorate the sanctuary on Easter morning. Proceeds go towards youth mission trips.
• LWR Fair-trade Coffee & Chocolate- Youth promote and sell fair-trade coffee and chocolate the first of the month at St. John’s to support small growers trying to sustain a way of life through fair market practices.
• Mexico Mission Trip - A team of youth and adults from St. John’s crosses the border into Juarez, Mexico to build and share Christ’s love through working with Casas por Cristo. A Mexico mission trip is planned for approximately every other summer.
• National Mission Trip - A team of youth and adults from St. John’s shares Christ’s love in various ways through assisting in children’s groups to maintenance projects while growing together in faith. A national mission trip is planned for approximately every other summer opposite the Mexico mission trip. 
• Pumpkin Patch- Under the leadership of St. John’s 10th graders, youth host and run a pumpkin patch during October with all proceeds going towards youth missions trips. This event is also a great outreach into the Lakeville community!
• Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child, occurs at all levels beginning in the lower elementary ages. Our senior high youth bring the shoebox gifts to and work at the regional warehouse.
• Service Retreats - Students in our Affirm Ministry attend retreats in which there is an important component of service in various community (Luther Park Bible Camp, Dakota County, and in an urban setting.)
• World Vision’s 30-Hour Famine- Senior high youth participate in a special lock-in to raise funds and awareness of drought and famine in the world, donations are sent to World Vision.