Youth Mission Trip: SALT and LIGHT

June 23-27, 2025

For WHO?

This is for all students in COMPLETED grades 6th-12th.  

WHAT is this?

This is a week long youth mission trip.  Each day, we will be providing a Vacation Bible School for underprivileged children through the Jubilee Center of Lynchburg, Virginia. We will also be helping with manual labor projects to support the work of this non-profit and we will be working with other mission projects in the area.  In the evenings, we will share together as a youth group - in worship, Bible study, sharing and prayer in our lodge. During the afternoon and evenings, there will also be free time for rest, fun activities and community-building.  The theme is “Salt and Light” and what it means to make a difference in this world for Jesus Christ.

WHEN is this awesome trip?

Monday-Friday, June 23-27, 2025

We will meet to leave at 9:00am with plans to be on the road by 9:30 am on that Monday, June 23rd.  We will wrap up with lunch on that Friday, June 27th and head home, arriving back at Gayton Baptist by 3:30pm. 

WHERE is this exciting mission trip going to be?

Lynchburg, Virginia

Our group will be lodging and sharing meals in Juniper Lodge at Eagle Eyrie Conference Center in Lynchburg, Virginia. This is a Virginia Baptist retreat center located at the top of a mountain. Our group will be in a shared lodge with a guys hall and girls hall, with a common room and kitchen.  All of our Bible study, worship and fellowship time will be in the lodge. We will have meals in the large dining hall, and there are free time spaces with a pool, a field and a firepit.

Our mission site is the Jubilee Center in Lynchburg, Virginia - approx. 15 minutes from Eagle Eyrie. The other mission projects will be right there in the area  as well.

WHY go?

This is a great opportunity for a student to connect with God in a beautiful space; to grow in faith; and to serve and help others in Jesus name.  Students will grow in Christian community and friendship together, while fueling their relationship with Jesus, and while meeting needs in His name.  Students will teach children in VBS, and show God’s love and hope through fun activities and quality time, help out a wonderful non-profit and assist others with practical manual labor needs as well.  It will be a special time together!

HOW should I sign up?

Sign-up and pay here at this link.  Cost is $360 which covers lodging, meals, mission and discipleship supplies, and programming. (If money is an issue, please contact Rev. Jennifer Mullins at jennifer@gayton.church and we will figure something out! Don’t let money be a reason you can’t come.)

Deadline to sign up is Easter, April 20, 2025.  This will give the team time to then set times for planning, VBS preparation, and team-building - as well as a meeting with parents and volunteers to go over expectations ahead of time.

When you sign-up, please indicate your t-shirt size.

A medical release form and a signed code of conduct will be required for all attending

Pass the word and invite your friends!

 WHAT TO PACK…

• Comfortable, modest, casual clothes for the week!  Pack for the weather.  Keep in mind to prepare for some messier mission projects and for being comfortable to work with kids.  FOLLOW CODE OF CONDUCT on dress.

• Linens ARE provided, but if you wish to bring your own towel/washcloth, blanket or pillow, you are welcome to do so.

•  (If you have your own personal snack, just label it accordingly)

• Guys - a case of water/ Girls - individually wrapped snacks (sweet or savory) - both to share with the whole group for the week. / All can bring any goody to share with the group - if so desired.

• Bible

• Pen and paper/journal (optional)

• Money for lunch stop on the way up on that Monday.

• Optional: $ for ice cream shop, coffee shop, gift shop; free time items such as a football, frisbee, book, cards, etc.  Just NO video games.

• As it gets closer, we will be asking the church to help us collect supplies for the VBS activities and crafts which we will take with us.