At 3:30 this morning the Timothy parking lot was buzzing with 40 high school students who boarded a bus and headed to the airport. Their final destination: Costa Rica. The trip is part of RENEW 2022, the high school's seven day program where students have the opportunity to serve in the mission field by traveling or here in Chicagoland, take a class not normally offered during the semester, or intern in a career of interest. But Renew is so much more than that — at its core, Renew is about developing courageous leaders. 

The students headed to Costa Rica will build two houses (yes, two houses!). It will be hard, but meaningful and life changing work. They’ll work alongside local contractors and help build homes for two families who live in marginal communities of San Jose. Both families have young kids and currently live in houses made from recycled tin roofing. The houses leak, are cold at night, and one is built on the banks of a river teeming with sewage. By the grace of God, in 7 days, each family will receive the keys to their new home. 

Imagine a group of 40 students — from a school these families have probably never heard of — building a house. At first glance, it might seem like four sturdy walls with a roof that doesn’t leak. And that is desperately needed! But it is so much more. The Timothy students will have the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ. No house —no matter how well constructed — lasts forever. But the Truth that our students and teachers will have the opportunity to share has eternal value. 

We also have students serving the homeless, abused, and at-risk youth in the Metro Atlanta area. Timothy students will have the opportunity to create relationships and share the love of Christ through serving food, construction work, and providing emotional, physical, and spiritual support to under-resourced youth through sports and games. 

Pictured Above: Students serving in Atlanta

Back in Chicagoland, students will serve local ministries including Lampstand Ministries. Yesterday, students made blankets that they’ll give to the homeless later this week. 

There is no doubt — God is at work! 

Renew is the training ground for developing life-long servant leaders. Imagine if the opportunity to serve on a Renew trip gave our students a hunger to serve for a lifetime. Imagine how this generation could indeed change the world— all for the glory of God.

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