OUR HISTORY:
YouthWorks has evolved over the years out of a service project started by youth pastors in Central California over 25 years ago. What began as a couple trips to motivate high-school teens to give generously of their time and energy has turned into the bicultural, bilingual camp program we run today.

OUR PURPOSE:
YouthWorks is a short-term missions camp for high-school-age teens from the U.S. and Mexico. We provide a blend of ministry and cultural immersion opportunities that create an environment where experiential learning about our global faith and church happens naturally. Our camp is home to teens from both countries and everything is run in both languages. This challenges all participants to work out cultural differences and confront personal biases actively all in the context of meaningful service with local Nazarene churches.

OUR LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE:
We rely on PLNU students and accompanying adult chaperones to staff the mission camp. PLNU student leaders are trained to provide guidance in small group discussions, set an example for cultural sensitivity, and fill in all the logistical gaps along the way. Youth sponsors, pastors, and parents are invaluable members of the leadership team. We lean on the wisdom and experience of all post-high school participants to guide their teens and provide overall input throughout the week. We’ve intentionally structured the PLNU student leaders as a support for on-going youth ministry of our participants and to free up the adult participants to spend quality time just being with the teens from their churches.

OUR UNIQUE PERSONALITY:
We believe that our mission program is quite different from the norm. Thanks to our special relationships with Nazarene Missions, the Southwest NYI Council, Point Loma Nazarene University, and the Northwest Baja Nazarene district in Mexico, we are able to provide a learning and ministry environment unlike anything we’ve found so far.

      YouthWorks' Unique Components:

• bicultural, bilingual camp atmosphere
• trained PLNU college-student staff
• all-inclusive fee covers all logistics and expenses of the mission week
• emphasis on service with local Nazarene congregations
• safe environment for processing observations, challenging assumptions, allowing hard questions, and encouraging continued growth

OUR HOPE:
It is necessary that students involved in YouthWorks understand both the privilege and the responsibility of being involved with this program. Team effectiveness is dependent on each member maintaining a commitment to a positive and flexible attitude. It is hoped that, together, team members will dedicate themselves to the challenging journey of exploring global Christianity together.

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