Youth Unlimited Chicago Project Serves Hundreds

More than 250 students and youth group leaders from the United States and Canada gathered on the campus of Trinity Christian College late last month to take part in the Youth Unlimited Chicago Project multi-site service effort.

Using the campus located in Palos Heights as their base, participants in Youth Unlimited’s Chicago Project ventured out from July 28-Aug to take part in outreach efforts.

The volunteered at a range of ministries, including Breakthrough Ministries, By The Hand Club For Kids, Faith and Action, Forest Preserve of Cook County, Lampstand Ministries, Love In the Name of Christ, Pacific Garden Mission, Providence Life Services, and Urban Youth Outreach.

Several of the ministries were in or near Palos Heights.

“The Youth Unlimited students continued the work that Trinity students do throughout the academic year,” said Jeremy Klyn, director of admissions.

“Chicago Project continues relationships we already have with these organizations and allows students to be blessed during the time they are here.”

To help equip students in their efforts, Trinity alumnus Zan Ingalls, senior pastor of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, delivered encouraging messages to participants.

Ingalls has been involved with Youth Unlimited’s projects since 1993.

Morning and evening worship was led by Vinnie Adams, director of special needs ministry and worship leader at Faith Church in Dyer, Ind.

All of the volunteer site coordination was arranged by Trinity’s AmeriCorps VISTA / Community Partnership Coordinator Jamaine Lacey.

“After busy, but fulfilling, days at their assigned worksites, students enjoyed evening activities such as games, bonfires, and a talent show, which provided times of fun and fellowship,” said Klyn.

Youth Unlimited is a non-denominational, non-profit ministry organization that assists the church and its many local congregations with their ministry.

This was the second year, says Klyn, that Trinity partnered with Youth Unlimited to host the event. Next summer the college is hoping to partner with the ministry and host a “Live It” event that will involve 400-500 youth.

As he reflects on this summer’s event, Klyn says it was wonderful to see “students and their leaders come to Trinity to advance and expand the ministry of the college and area churches.

“We were excited to see students again being a very visible and incarnational expression of Christ’s love. This experience was a great combination of strengths in the body of Christ.”