By Heather Campbell, Diocesan Youth Minister
From July 6–11, twenty youth and adult leaders from across the diocese traveled to St. Louis, Missouri, for our Diocesan Youth Mission Trip. What began as a week filled with uncertainty—after last-minute changes to our transportation, housing, and every single service site—transformed into a testament to what happens when you keep an open heart and trust in God.
The motivation for our trip was deeply personal for me. I grew up in Ferguson, and I wanted to invite our youth into the story of my hometown—not just its headlines, but its heart. Growing up there directly influenced my call to ministry. My church embraced the gifts of its young people as part of its work to become more racially inclusive, and that experience shaped how I approach youth ministry today. I believe in building youth-centered congregations where young people aren’t seen as the “future” or “junior” members of the church, but as full members with gifts to offer right now.
As we explored the history of Ferguson and its role in the birth of the Black Lives Matter movement, we reflected on how systemic injustice shows up not only there, but also in our own city of Indianapolis. Ferguson may have gained national attention, but the roots of racial inequity run wide and deep. Our pilgrimage was a call to connect, compare, and commit to the work of justice in our own communities.
That same call to justice shaped our hands-on work throughout the week. On our first day, our youth distributed nearly 400 bags asking for donations toward tornado disaster relief. This spring, three tornadoes impacted both affluent and underserved neighborhoods across St. Louis. The generosity of the community stunned us: by week’s end, we had filled a U-Haul with supplies. When we delivered the items to Power Creative STL, a local relief hub, their volunteers were overcome with gratitude. One volunteer asked, “Why did you choose to do this project?” One youth responded, “We heard about Heather’s story—how growing up in North St. Louis shaped who she is and how she ministers. We wanted to help the people she came from.” Their response affirmed the power of story, solidarity, and youth-led service.
In addition to our relief work, youth participated in “Choose-Your-Own-Adventure” service projects—creative ministries designed to meet real needs. Some hosted a lemonade-and-listening booth under the Arch, offering cold drinks and warm conversation to strangers. Others made gifts for first responders, cleaned parks, created adopt-me bandanas for shelter pets, or distributed laundromat kits with quarters and supplies across North St. Louis. Still more shopped for supplies for the Showers of Blessings ministry at First UMC St. Charles. By week’s end, many youth were dreaming aloud about how to bring these same projects home.
We didn’t miss out on the fun, either. Our crew explored the City Museum, took in the view from the Arch, devoured Ted Drewes and Imo’s Pizza, and visited the Aquarium, Science Center, and more. But even in the midst of sightseeing, God was moving.
Each night, we gathered for honest, holy conversations around the parables of Jesus. We explored what it means to sow seeds with care, to open our hearts to God, and to trust that small acts can yield a harvest of transformation. Youth from different congregations formed deep connections almost immediately, showing just how ready they are to step into leadership, community, and faith.
This week wouldn’t have been possible without our phenomenal adult leaders. The Rev. Frank Impicciche and Ruth Everett (Holy Family, Fishers), Canon Brendan O’Sullivan-Hale and Elizabeth Dernier (All Saints, Indianapolis), and Kathy Buchanon (Trinity, Anderson) each brought humor, compassion, and wisdom to our group. Their bond was sealed with six-way friendship necklaces—yes, really.
This mission trip reminded us that youth are not the future of the church—they are the church. Right now. When we trust them with leadership, invite them into meaningful conversation, and show them what love looks like in action, they rise to the occasion. And in doing so, they show us the very heart of God.
