On December 16, 2007, 330 young adults, including 51 from the Lake Union, launched from Tampa, Florida, on the long-anticipated, first-ever Cruise with a Mission (CWM), sponsored by the Center for Youth Evangelism. Some were motivated by the longing to experience renewal in their spiritual journey. Others wanted to taste the joy of service. Most came with the desire to build meaningful community with others going through this crazy time of life called young adulthood.
By the end of the week-long trip, we could not stop praising God for the ways that He showed up, smoothing choppy seas and making His presence known in our lives. God built community on and off the ship. On-ship, the prayer room, worship services, small groups and fascinating workshops created the time and space to connect with God and one another.
"I got to meet so many other people that were passionate about living their Christianity," says Renee Stepp from Berrien Springs, Michigan, who loved "making like-minded friends." Steven Gusse, a Seminary student at Andrews University, reflects, "Meeting new people from all over the country at almost every meal, worshiping together in the mornings, serving together on the mission projects, and having late-night conversations on the bow of the ship about ministry was a very unique and meaningful experience. Whenever you bring 330 people that care about missions together, it is going to be special."
After talking about service together, we disembarked the ship in Belize and Guatemala to experience it. I loved seeing the joy of the children as they opened more than 700 Christmas shoeboxes, the renewed hope of the couple hundred patients who were seen by our medical team, and the tired, satisfied, dirty, painted faces of those who gave local schools a face-lift and shoveled dirt for building new foundations.
Sharing the love of Christ was not limited to pre-planned off-ship projects. The cruise-ship context provided opportunities to interact with the crew and other passengers. When our group was delayed disembarking in Belize, Ginger Voignier from Sellersburg, Indiana, started talking with some of the ship's crew. By the time three hours had passed, seven requested Bible studies. Ginger rounded up Bibles to give to the crew and signed them up for Discover Bible lessons. "Talking with the crew was great!" said Ginger. "We really got to know each other. I built meaningful relationships with them in about three hours. For the rest of the cruise when we'd see each other, we'd always stop and talk." The relationships formed and strengthened on CWM have given me renewed inspiration to live as a disciple of Jesus at home.
The second annual CWM will be December 14–21, 2008. The CWM team is gathering together an exciting group of speakers, worship leaders, mission strategists and community builders. This is going to be a time of awesome spiritual renewal and fellowship. Young adults are excited and getting involved, sharing their gifts and passions. To be part of the adventure, visit www.cruisewithamission.org.
Raewyn Hankins served as the communication director for Cruise with a Mission 2007.
