PITTSBURGH, July 5, 2012 – “To get closer to God” is often a reason given for attendance at something like summer camp, but is not as often heard as a reason for attending the biennial gathering called the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). But for a group of young people who traveled to Pittsburgh from New Mexico, that is a top reason for coming to the denomination’s national policy-making gathering.
“By meeting new people here at the assembly, I see how God is working through them to help make the churches better,” said Jeffrey Sandoval, one of the 30 youth here from the Synod of the Southwest. Harold Armstrong, a teaching elder and solo pastor in Hobbs, N. Mex., organized and is leading the trip.
“I saw this as an opportunity for them to worship with and have an experience of the wider church,” said Hobbs. “Part of my intention in doing this is to help them see that the church isn’t just what happens on Sunday morning—that the councils of the church are important bodies and that the decisions they make are part of our faith and our journey as well,” he continued.
The group’s t-shirts explain their mission with specificity: G.A.M.E. – General Assembly Mission Experience.
The youth and advisors will spend the week following the assembly on a mission trip to Harrisburg, Pa.
Kelsie Cottrill has enjoyed the assembly but is looking forward to the opportunity to work with kids and the elderly next week as well. She was a bit skeptical at first of whether the trip would be something she wanted to attend. “My friends from church are here, and I’ve met new friends here—plus it’s been really fun doing new things,” she shared, in an explanation of why she’s glad she decided to come along.
“I wanted to come because I wanted to get out of my own comfort zone,” explained Andrew Medina. It is the first time he’s taken a trip out of his own region. “I feel that I have been able to be connected to people I’ve been meeting and it’s been really fun,” Medina said.
For trip leader Harold Armstrong the adventure has already been worth the journey.
“I’m for any way that we can involve young adults and students as integral parts of the church—the church, of course, isn’t just for adults,” he shared.
“The moment of their baptism they are brought into the church and are a part of that. We have the responsibility to help them grow in that faith and move forward as disciples of Christ.”
