North Rome Wesleyan Church (NRWC) in Rome, Pennsylvania, has a long history of local and global service. But over the past few years, those within the congregation have found their global service trips influencing multiple generations; and at the same time, they’ve noticed younger generations being called toward ministry and serving in load-bearing leadership positions within the church.
Several years ago, some NRWC members started a missions-focused Bible study. In that group were a couple of veterinarians (Don and Rachel Cooper*) that connected with a local missions organization, Breath of Life International, and were planning on going with them on a missions/community development trip to the Dominican Republic.
During that trip, the Coopers used their veterinary skills to assist some local farmers. They left impacted, returning year after year with their entire family. The trip now includes volunteers from North Rome and five to six other churches, with various generations contributing different areas of expertise: from veterinary medicine to construction to doctors, nurses and others who are interested in biblical study, relationship-building and sports. The team especially leans on those interested in athletics to facilitate a sports-ministry VBS, co-led by the Breath of Life team and partner churches in the Dominican Republic.
“What’s been impactful for me to witness from these trips is the way it’s affected a lot of families: dads, moms and their kids go on these trips,” said Reverend Ed Torres, senior pastor of North Rome Wesleyan Church. “One of the guys on the construction team (who runs a construction company here) took his son who is 13. While he was fixing a roof, he got filled by the Spirit and started praying … he’s a big sports guy, likely going to be a college wrestler, and was weeping, saying, ‘God is telling us we have to focus on prayer.’ Now when you talk to him, all you hear about is how he’s on fire for prayer,” he continued.
Rev. Torres reflected on how that prayer theme carried the team throughout their trip. He also shared the story of Hannah*, who (as a seventh grader at the time) preached a message, after which over 50 people said “yes” to a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Hannah is just one of North Rome’s youth who’ve felt God stirring their heart. While Hannah plans on remaining a layperson into her adulthood (at least at this point), Rev. Torres said she’ll continue to be one of their best witnesses to Jesus in whatever field she chooses to work. Two others at NRWC accepted a call to vocational ministry this summer. Both have preached during a Sunday morning service, in addition to their regular preaching role in the youth group. Just as important: whether they’ve accepted a call to vocational ministry or marketplace ministry, they’ve been nourished and encouraged by their congregation to continue pressing into the work God’s called them to (locally and globally).
“This is a generational church,” reflected Rev. Torres. “There are families in our church who are always involved in missions and in outreach … this is something they do. They live out the gospel in the community; at the same time, their children are seeing them walk the walk. Through discipleship, the young people are stepping up to lead, and we’re showing that and highlighting that at the church. And the older generation is seeing that as an opportunity, not a problem — and they are spurring these young people on.”
North Rome is (in Rev. Torres’ words) becoming an “airport,” not a destination: sending people out into every vocation, neighborhood and friend circle with the hope and holiness of Jesus Christ. For more stories of churches sending others into every vocation to minister, visit wesleyan.org/news.
Rev. Ethan Linder is the pastor of discipleship at College Wesleyan Church in Marion, Indiana, and contributing editor at The Wesleyan Church’s Education and Clergy Development Division.
*Names have been changed.
