Youth Missions

Youth Missions Trips

Mission trips connect people with what God is up to all around them, and teenagers are an important part of what God is doing! Missions push students to connect with others, communities, and most importantly Christ! Missions give students the opportunity to see and love people in a the radical way the Jesus did. Here at FUMC we want to provide students with these opportunities, and it is our prayer that they will take the experience of missions and change the way that they live.

Summer 2023 Mission Trip

Niagara Falls Youth Mission Trip

June 25–30 • Niagara Falls, NY • Youth Entering Grades 7–12

In summer 2023, the FUMC youth partnered with Youthworks and traveled to Niagara Falls, NY. Our group came alongside existing organizations to meet ongoing needs through food and clothing distribution, home repair and community improvement projects, and youth programming at a local community center. After each service day, we participated in evening activities to learn more about the community, as well as taking some time to visit the beauty of the Falls and fellowship with partners and community members.

*We never want financial obstacles to be the reason why a student cannot attend a trip, retreat, or other activity. If you need help, please reach out to the church about scholarship opportunities. Your inquiry will remain completely confidential.

Past Mission Trips

2019: Costa Rica Senior High Mission trip

In Summer 2019 we took a group of 20 Senior High students to Poas, Costa Rica, a rural mountain community. We served with the Rice and Beans ministry, whose goal is to spread the gospel to the unreached primarily through a large feeding initiative. Each day our students would load into buses with multiple ten-pound bags of rice and beans on each arm, and we would go door to door sharing food and conversation with individuals and families. It was a powerful ministry! We also had the opportunity to lead children’s ministry and do some labor intensive projects throughout the week.

2019: Savannah, GA Junior High Mission Trip

In Summer 2019 we took a group of Jr. High students on a mission trip to Savannah GA with the Youthworks organization. In Savannah, our students participated in a large variety of ministries throughout the week, including working with the Salvation Army, animal shelters, and feeding center; doing relational ministry in nursing homes; and assisting with home improvement projects. Our students had the privilege to explore and learn about Savannah’s history and love on the community well during the week!

2020: Local NOVA mission week.

Although the Covid-19 pandemic hit us in 2020, it did not stop our tradition of doing missions in the summer! Instead of traveling for a mission this summer, we decided to hop into the mission field right here in our backyard! In a joint effort with other local youth groups we put together a group of 50 students who went out each day of the week and served with ministries here in northern VA. It was a different experience than mission trips in the past, but it was a nice reminder that missions can happen right here in our home town!

2021: Local NOVA Mission Week

FUMC students in 7^th-12^th grade had a great experience serving our local community this summer, the week of July 19. This youth mission week was similar to a “typical” mission trip that we go on during a summer, but we served right here in our back yards. Together with students from Annandale UMC, Sydenstricker UMC, St. Stephens UMC, and other churches, we served at a variety of local sites. These included The Lamb Center, Habitat for Humanity, Rising Hope, FACETS, the Kate Hanley Shelter, and many others.

2022: Blue Ridge Mountains, NC and Honduras

In 2022, Fairfax UMC fielded two missions trips. The first trip saw junior and senior high students travel down to Taylorsville, NC, in the Blue Ridge Mountains. There, they got to participate in local work projects, help run a Kids Club ministry, and participate in other local ministries to address area needs and make connections with the people there. The second trip, exclusively for high school students, took students to the community of Quimistan, Honduras, to serve with the Honduras Independence Bilingual School and the Organic Learning Farm.

Give to Support Mission Work

Your donation will go directly to the Youth Missions fund to support local and global missions trips and outreach projects.

*We never want financial barriers to be a reason a student cannot participate in youth events here at Fairfax UMC! If your family has a financial obstacle that is stopping a student from participating, please contact the church. All concerns and inquires are kept confidential.