Grace Church of Sahuarita Student Ministry
Mission Trip 2023 | Rio de Janeiro
We are excited to announce that, for current Juniors and Seniors, our 2023 Summer trip will be in the form of a mission trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil! One of the most impactful experiences a student can have is the chance to see what life is like outside of our familiar context. And even more so, in this particular case, it’s a chance for students to witness first-hand how God is working in completely different parts the world. That God is not limited to Pima County, Southern Arizona, or even the United States, but that God is establishing His Church all across the globe.
We believe, whole-heartedly, that a trip like this will change a students life forever, and we want every student to be able to experience it. Below is some info on the trip.
About APEX and ReachGlobal
APEX Missions is the High School and College missions division for the EFCA and ReachGlobal. They exist to serve the local church by helping them mobilize the next generation to take the gospel from here to everywhere. This is done by offering students bite-sized missions opportunities. Students will be challenged by needs outside their bubble, equipped by long-term laborers, and impacted by the power of the gospel through a different cultural lens. APEX trips are designed to be authentic and strategic. Students join long-term workers to gain experience as they learn from the city, strangers, workers, and each other.
What kind of mission work will we be doing?
In a nutshell, the students will be given the chance to experience a week in the life of a missionary in Rio de Janeiro. This includes things like, ESL Training, running a VBS or Bible Club, and ministry in the favelas. While our first priority is the safety our students, we do desire to give them an opportunity to experience life outside of our normal context, and to see how God is working in the lives of those living in Rio and witness the wonder of Gospel transformation in the lives of children and their families.
Why Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro is a cosmopolitan metropolis, known worldwide for its beauty and its natural resources, such as the Christ the Redeemer statue and the Tijuca Forest, attracting more than 2 million foreign visitors each year. Rio has received major events like the World Cup (2014) and the Olympics (2016), and is known as a great vacation destination. However, Brazil is also known for its 1,000 slums (also known as favelas). Thus, Rio has a visible and hidden side. APEX and our ministry partners in Rio desire to see the love of God become abundantly present in Rio, knowing God can offer a new mercy and compassion only found in Jesus.
Who are we working with?
Meet the Missionaries in Rio
Pastor Craig Weyandt is originally from the United States, growing up in a variety of small towns and big cities, mostly in the North East. He came to know Jesus when living in a Chicago Suburb and graduated from Taylor University with a BA in Psychology and a Minor in Communications. He did his theological studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and graduated in 1990. Pastor Craig is ordained by the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) and has been serving with EFCA Reach Global in Rio de Janeiro for the past 20+ years. Pastor Craig’s spiritual and cultural journey has been greatly enhanced by walking alongside brave disciples, church-planters, and missionaries working in the poor and dangerous neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro. Working in Partnership towards Gospel Endeavors that lead to transformed lives among the humble and meek has been his greatest privilege as a cross-cultural missionary. Craig is married to Alessandra and the father of Alyssia.
The Union Church of Rio de Janeiro
The Union Church of Rio de Janeiro (UC Rio) is a Gospel-Centered, Disciple-Making, and Church-Planting church. The church started on July 4th, 1886, and continues welcoming those living in Rio and internationally, offering substantial support to many refugee families, serving UC members and Rio’s community, and exalting Christ above all.
“Our campus is in the beautiful neighborhood of Barra da Tijuca. We desire to give everyone in Rio de Janeiro an opportunity to know and worship Jesus, follow, and become like Him as they discover their purpose and mission. Whether seeking an oasis of renewal or a launchpad of opportunity to share the hope of Christ, there is a place for you.”
How can you help?
Financial Support
No doubt, a trip of this magnitude can cost a significant amount of money. And while there were cheaper options out there, none of them offered the same connections, impact, long-term relational investments, or value that this trip to Rio de Janeiro will offer.
It is, without any doubt, a life-changing opportunity for our students and the church in Rio de Janeiro.
We believe that part of a mission trip includes raising support. Therefore, our students are raising a large portion of their trip! However, we also have another portion of the trip that is not yet covered. One part being, we wanted to give as many families as possible a chance to send their child to this trip. However, it is also because I know that one of the most impactful things for these students is to see that their local church body is behind them! There are few things more encouraging to a student than seeing believing adults support them as they share the Gospel through missions.
With all that being said, if you are interested in supporting this trip financially, we have multiple options available! First, you can write a check to “Grace Church of Sahuarita”, and mark it as “Rio Mission Trip 2023”. There is also an option to give online, and then selecting the “Rio de Janeiro - Mission Trip” dropdown.
Prayer
While financial support is important part of support for a trip like this to happen, it is not the type of support. One of the most important things you can do to help those of us on this trip is to pray for us before, during, and after! Whether you are able to support financially or not, we would ask that everyone support us in prayer.
In Ephesians 6, Paul tells us that we should “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world.”. And then says in verse 18…
“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:18
It is absolutely essential, as we embark on a trip like this, that we keep in mind we are not fighting against flesh and blood. Therefore, we earnestly ask that you would, as Paul says in verse 18, stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for us. Below is a link to some (definitely not all) the things you can be praying over us.
Meet the Team
