Michigan—There is a disturbing trend in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Today 61 percent of American young adults who were active in church as teens are now disengaged. Each year young faces disappear, taking with them their joy, energy, and talents. The reality is that many of these young people do not find their home in other churches—they are facing the world alone spiritually—with tragic consequences.

This painful reality compells a diverse team of young adults from across the country to devote their energy and resources to engage this missing generation. These young adults are spearheading an exciting new initiative called Cruise with a Mission (CWM).

CWM is an innovative project by and for young adults ages 18 to 35, which combines a vacation and spiritual retreat with active and meaningful mission projects. Sparked by a conversation two years ago between youth pastors, CWM found reality with Andrews University’s Center for Youth Evangelism. “God is totally moving,” shares Genevieve Koh. “This mission will accomplish far more than we can imagine.”

Cruising December 16–23, from Tampa, Florida, to Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico, 500 young adults from throughout the world will collectively spend 7,500 hours engaging in construction, medical work, children’s ministry, and simple acts of kindness. Where most of the world sees a tropical tourist realm, Caleb VinCross sees real needs. “We are turning the tables on our self-centered tourist culture and using it instead to touch the people living in its shadows with the love of God... it really is exciting!”

In addition to serving people in the ports, Steve Hemenway is excited that CWM is “a fresh, fun, and exciting opportunity for young adult Christians to grow in their spiritual walk” through workshops, dynamic worship, and small groups.

Rochelle Webster comments, “Many Adventist young adults feel there are few places where they can discuss their questions, struggles, ideas, and hopes with other young adults. It is our hope that Cruise with a Mission will be such a place.”

“CWM is intentionally wholistic—a spiritual retreat, a social network, and a mission trip all in one place,” says Renee Stepp, the on-ship programming director.

Tara VinCross, CWM director, shares her vision for her young adult peers to make a difference in the world. “We see CWM as a catalyst for life-transformation, resulting in a way of life consumed by God.”

Please pray for CWM and any young adults you know whom you can invite. To get involved, visit www.cruisewithamission.org.

Raewyn Hankins, Cruise with a Mission co-director for marketing