Students from 5 states come to Geneva for service work

Students from five states are in the Tri-Cities area this week to provide service to four organizations while at the same time learning about leadership skills.

The First Baptist Church in Geneva is hosting 180 middle school and high school students from Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Indiana, Washington, D.C. and Michigan churches. First Baptist also partnered with Lead222, which is an international coaching and mentoring ministry organization to provide the students with knowledge of leadership skills.

Bruce McEvoy, pastor of family and serving at First Baptist, said Thursday many students go on a mission trips for service and leadership skills. He said the church program, what he calls a servant leadership mission trip, combines both aspects.

“It’s combining lots of ministry work that people do around the world but also the leadership,” McEvoy said. “Lead222 is making them go hand-in-hand.”

The students that are part of the program worked at four sites this week: Marklund Home in Geneva, Riverwoods in St. Charles, and Wayside Cross and Next Level Foundation in Aurora. The kids usually work 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and have leadership workshops at night.

“Each evening the Lead222 program staff ... works on developing the leadership for young people because they believe it’s vital,” McEvoy said. “Kids are the leaders of not only tomorrow but they are also the leaders of today.”

The program is focused on four themes: Live, love, lead and dream. The students gain these skills through the work they do during the day and during the evening sessions.

McEvoy said the church had this same program last year but with half the number of students. This year First Baptist took on more people, but it meant they weren’t sure if the church would be able to house all the students. With the help of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Geneva, 30 students are housed there and 150 students are staying at First Baptist.

It wasn’t all work and no play for the participants. Wednesday the students traveled to downtown Chicago to take in the sights. McEvoy said they got to experience something a little less structured and more relaxed.

McEvoy said although the kids are here primarily to serve, learn about leadership and be with their friends in the community, there is a higher calling.

“They’re here to make a difference in other people’s lives, to grow as a group and it is all spiritually based around Christ,” McEvoy said.