Weekend Snapshot

Hey Northgate,

I want to thank Pastor John for giving me the opportunity to share this, and our church leadership for supporting and sending our students on mission this summer. It means a lot to be part of a church that doesn’t just talk about faith, but makes space for students to live it out in real ways.

This summer, from July 4th–12th, our youth ministry will be heading to Costa Rica for a short-term missions trip. We’re partnering again with the same organization we served with in 2024, a ministry that Tiffany and I have personally been connected with since 2001. It’s a partnership we trust, and one we’re grateful to continue.

Last time, we brought a team of 19 students and adults. This year, God has grown that team to 26. That’s 26 people stepping out in faith, ready to serve, love, and share the Gospel.

While in Costa Rica, we’ll be working with a sports camp ministry called Renuevos in La Carpio, one of the largest and most under-resourced communities in the country. For over 20 years, Renuevos has been faithfully serving kids and families there. Through weekly sports programs, they create a safe place for kids to get off the streets, away from drugs and violence, and into a place where they are known, cared for, and pointed to Jesus.

This summer, we’re expecting around 150 students to be part of the sports camp. Our team has already been preparing for months. We’ve been meeting regularly, learning about the culture, practicing how to share our personal testimonies, and planning the programs we’ll lead. It’s been encouraging to watch our students grow in confidence and in their faith as they get ready for what’s ahead.

But we can’t do this alone. We need you.

The most important way you can support this trip is through prayer. With a team this size, there are a lot of moving parts and logistics. More than anything, we know that this mission won’t succeed because of our planning or effort, but because of God’s power working through us. Please be praying for unity, safety, boldness, and open hearts both on our team and among the people we’ll serve.

Another way you can support is financially. The cost of the trip is about $1,800 per student, and we are fundraising together as a team. Many of our students have sent out support letters, and some of you may have already received one. As a church, you can also give by placing a check in the offering with “Costa Rica” in the memo, or by giving online and selecting the Costa Rica option.

We also have several upcoming fundraisers, and we would love for you to be part of them:

April 18 (9:00–11:00 AM): Join us at the Youth & Community Center for a special breakfast. We’ll be serving a traditional Costa Rican dish, Gallo Pinto, along with some American favorites like pancakes. Please register HERE before April 11, so we can plan accordingly.

May 17 (after the 9:30 service until 1:30 PM): Head around to the back of the main campus for a car wash. It’s a simple way to support the team and drive away with a clean car.

June 6 at 7:00 PM: We’re hosting a Night of Worship and Prayer. Our students will be leading the entire service, from worship to prayer to sharing testimonies. We’ve never done a fundraiser like this before, and we believe it will be a meaningful night for our church.

These events are more than just fundraisers. They’re also helping our team grow together. When we get to Costa Rica, teamwork won’t be optional, it will be essential. These moments now are helping us build that unity by serving side by side.

Thank you for being a church that supports, sends, and believes in the next generation. We’re excited to see what God will do, not just in Costa Rica, but in and through our students along the way.

Pastor DL
Next Generation Pastor