On March 17, the Detroit Burns Avenue Church served as host to the collaborative efforts of the Motor City Youth Federation and the Burns Avenue “Isaiah 58” outreach initiative.
Lake Region—More than 50 young people from the Motor City became the hands and feet of Jesus through the annual Global Youth Day, a day set aside to “Be the Sermon” and learn that there is more to faith than simply going to church.
On March 17, the Detroit Burns Avenue Church served as host to the collaborative efforts of the Motor City Youth Federation and the Burns Avenue “Isaiah 58” outreach initiative. Young people and adults were split up into four ministry groups: sharing hot dogs and hugs, distributing grocery bags, visiting a hospital to give parents of newborns diapers, and praying with individuals.
With signs held aloft advertising “hot dogs and hugs,” one group went to a nearby playground to barbecue hotdogs. Many individuals stopped by the park and received hot dogs, a bag of chips, water and, of course, a hug. Some even wanted prayer, including two Detroit police officers.
Thanks to a donation from a local food bank, another group of young people prepared grocery bags of food to dole out to individuals or families. Over 30 families responded to the signs outside the church which pointed them to free groceries inside the fellowship hall of the Burns Avenue Church. Each family received prayer as they left the church.
The third project involved assembling gift bags, which included diapers and other necessities for delivery to parents with newborns at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan.
The fourth project was “Prayer at the Corner.” A group held signs reading, “Honk if you want prayer,” and almost every passerby honked as young people and chaperones prayed for each car and passenger.
At the close, during a wrap-up session, young people excitedly shared testimonies of how God had blessed them and others through their efforts.
Global Youth Day is alive and well in the Lake Union, and the Lake Region Youth Ministries Department is extremely proud of how the young have responded each year since we began participating in 2014. We look forward to next year’s opportunity to again “Be the Sermon.”
