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Jen Bradbury
Aug 31 · 5 min read

8 ways to help mission teams conclude more than “poor people are happy”

“But they're just so happy.”

I’ve lost track of how often I’ve heard someone—either a teenager or an adult—use this phrase to describe someone they served during a summer mission trip.

It doesn’t matter whether you go to a Native American...

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#justice #Leaders #Missions #culture of welcome #processing #worship

Jen Bradbury
Sep 06 · 5 min read

Processing what you learn

Earlier this week, I hosted a leader’s training for our junior high and high school adult leaders. Our focus was equipping leaders to facilitate small groups.

During this crash course in leading small groups, we addressed basic tips and tricks for...

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#small group #Leaders #processing #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Jul 27 · 5 min read

Not just for NATO, but for me

During our first day in San Diego with The Global Immersion Project, we met with a young woman named Nohemi. Although she didn't know it until she was older, Nohemi came to the US undocumented as a young child. She worked hard in school to earn...

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#Intergenerational #racism #Missions #processing #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Jul 24 · 5 min read

6 Reasons to Process During Camps, Conferences, and Mission Trips

In youth ministry, summer is the prime time for attending camps, conferences and mission trips. Regardless of what type of summertime activity you participate in with your youth, it's important to process your experience with your teens. Here's...

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#discussion #Missions #processing #youth ministry #faith formation

Jen Bradbury
Sep 11 · 5 min read

5 reasons to debrief

Recently, my congregation participated in a church-wide, intergenerational day of service. As part of this, we launched people into their service experiences straight from worship. People then served in three areas for two hours each before...

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#Intergenerational #service projects #processing #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Aug 21 · 5 min read

Shifting attitudes

We in the church often spend a lot of time debating (or even fighting) one another over a variety of different issues. Among them?

Whether or not short-term mission trips are worth it.

Trust me, I know short-term trips are expensive. I just...

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#Rwanda #justice #Missions #processing #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Jul 03 · 5 min read

Our limitless God

Last week, I led our youth ministry's junior high and high school mission trip to Milwaukee. While there, we served at a warehouse in the inner city called Adullam. The warehouse is located very near what police have deemed to be the worst...

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#ecumenical #Prayer #Missions #processing #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Aug 08 · 5 min read

It's OK to doubt

As is often the case, my students got emotional during the final worship service of our recent mission trip – a meaningful, poignant foot washing service. Tears still streamed down many of their faces as we left the worship space and went to ...

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#cognitive development #scripture #Jesus #Missions #doubt #discipleship #processing #faith formation

Jen Bradbury
Jul 22 · 5 min read

Stand Against Racism

Where were you on March 21, 2005?

I'm guessing you may not remember. After all, unlike September 11, this is not a date etched in our collective national memory. It is, however, a date on which another tragedy occurred.

On March 21, 2005, a...

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#race #faith formation #justice #Missions #Transformation #cross-cultural #processing

Jen Bradbury
Jul 17 · 5 min read

Trayvon Martin & Native Americans: Acknowledging and Addressing Racism

When I opened my blog reader Monday morning after a week away, I found blog after blog featuring reactions to the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting of 17-year old Trayvon Martin, an unarmed African-American teenager.

Not surprisingly,...

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#Missions #cross-cultural #tragedy #processing #race #justice #Youth Gathering

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Latest Posts

  • 8 ways to help mission teams conclude more than “poor people are happy”
  • Processing what you learn
  • Not just for NATO, but for me
  • 6 Reasons to Process During Camps, Conferences, and Mission Trips
  • 5 reasons to debrief
  • Shifting attitudes
  • Our limitless God
  • It's OK to doubt
  • Stand Against Racism
  • Trayvon Martin & Native Americans: Acknowledging and Addressing Racism

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