Youthful Pioneers On Mission to Change Themselves and Their Destinations
By Beth Fultz, Director of Christian Education
Over Memorial Day Weekend, I had the opportunity to return to the Kansas City area gathering more information on the Youth Mission Trip for our return July 19 – 26. My original goal for the trip was to venture to Omaha, Nebraska, for the wedding of Angela Rose, a youth member from my last church assignment in Plano, over nine years ago. Thankfully, Dolores Morgan, Business Manager at St. Stephen, was free to be my travel companion as we took five days to journey the routes of Olathe, Kansas, Kansas City, Kansas; Omaha, Nebraska, and Oklahoma City – home of my younger brother. On our journey we took in scenic beauty of the American Plains, observed historical routes, played the license plate game (only 13 shy of 50 states), stopped at hometown bookstores, and met with personnel at all four church sites for the Youth Mission Trip.
Arriving in Olathe at First Presbyterian Church, I realized again that this church lay on the historic Santa Fe, Oregon and California Trails. The Oregon and California Trails began when pioneers sought new opportunities and new homes. They headed out of St. Louis on river boats to Independence, Missouri, where they boarded wagon trains and headed west. Most of the seekers were shopkeepers and farmers hit hard by the economic times of 1837. Their journey lasted over 2,000 miles and 90% of those who ventured, gained.
The Santa Fe Trail was a two-way commercial route for settlers in the Mexican territory to retrieve supplies. A frontiersman, William Bucknell, took off to trade with the Indians and wound up in Santa Fe. The purpose of this 750 mile trade route was profit not homesteading.
It’s been written about those who traveled the trails
westward: “These pioneers changed forever the size, shape and destiny of America.” And so they did. How it all happened, and the character of the people who made it happen, are important parts of our national heritage. Knowledge of those events and people also are an impor- tant part of understanding what Americans are as a peo- ple. Luckily, the evidence of the how and the who is still here for us to see.
http://www.experiencekc.com/trails.html
“These pioneers changed forever the size, shape and destiny of America.” That quote gives me chills as I realize the historical footprints that our Youth Mission Trip will follow. Nearby, the Overland Stage Coach and Pony Express routes exist as does the Lewis and Clark Trails.
What courage does it take to leave your hometown during tough times to risk travel woes, breakdowns, Indian raids, food shortages, wild life, treacherous terrain, and hours of boredom – all for the hope of winning a new life?
That is what we are doing in Kansas for our Youth Mission Trip. The churches were are helping are in financial crises, experiencing unprecedented membership loss attributed to political leanings and apathy for the church as it was.
We are there to infuse enthusiasm for these churches; to help build the remnants back up with paint, hammers, playground equipment and opening the doors to new faces. We are pioneers of the faith. Can we change the shape and sizes and destinies of these churches? In small ways, yes. Do I personally believe that we will? Yes, I do. I have faith in our summer Mission Trips. I have experienced the difference it makes in our own youth and sponsors and I have witnessed the effects on those we serve and felt their love in return.
Journey with me to Kansas and become pioneers of the Presbyterian Faith. Help make the paths, create the footsteps that others will follow to bring these churches life, to bring these churches breath, to bring people in. Let’s make history!