“One of the greatest ways to disciple the next generation and see them grow in their faith is to take them on a missions trip and experience Jesus for themselves,” said Pastor Tim Waisanen, staff.
As the group of One School seniors landed in the vibrant yet struggling country, they were met with warm smiles, but also an awareness of the challenges faced by the people there. Poverty, addiction, and broken families were prevalent, yet the seniors knew their mission was more than just addressing material needs. They were there to share a message of hope, rooted in God’s love and promise.
“I knew that this class was meant for something so much bigger than themselves. I knew that this trip was going to let us minister to people and be such a memorable experience for everyone,” said Alondra Pagan, 12th grade.
Their journey took them to several schools, where they were greeted by eager students, wide-eyed and curious about these visitors from afar. In classrooms and playgrounds, the seniors shared Bible stories, sang songs, and had heartfelt conversations with the children.
“It was so cool to see how God perfectly orchestrated the moment for us to witness to those people,” said Samantha Laczko, 12th grade.
The churches they visited were small but overflowing with faith. Worship services were filled with praise, despite the many struggles the congregants faced daily. The seniors shared sermons, personal testimonies, and encouragement with their brothers and sisters in Christ, who stood strong in the face of adversity.
“It’s easy to have faith when everything is going your way, but trusting God when you don’t have it all is the real deal,” said Soleil Martinez, 12th grade.
One of the most impactful experiences came during their visit to a men’s rehab center. Here, the seniors met men who were fighting to rebuild their lives after battling addiction. Many had lost everything—family, friends, and a sense of self-worth. The seniors knew that this was where their message of redemption was needed most. As they shared the Gospel, the men listened intently, some weeping openly as their hardened exteriors gave way to God’s grace. The seniors prayed with each man, offering words of hope and encouragement for the journey ahead.
“While we were there, we went to an area where we saw men that were destroyed by alcohol and drugs. We let the Holy Spirit guide us and we found five men that we took back to the rehab center. We talked to double that number. There was one that almost walked away but I convinced him to stick it out. When we got near the rehab center, we had to carry some of the men up the hill to the center because they couldn’t make it in their current state. One of the dad’s said he was going to go and help his son too. This was a great experience to see our faith in action and how it was making an impact on future generations,” said Logan Henry, 12th grade.
As the mission trip drew to a close, the seniors reflected on the lives they had touched and the relationships they had built. Though their time in El Salvador had been brief, they knew the seeds they had planted would continue to grow. Their hearts were full, not just because of the impact they had made, but also because of how their own faith had deepened.
“Everything was put aside to do the Lord’s work, which brought us closer than ever,” said Lorelei Wheaton, 12th grade.
Now, as they prepare to share their experiences with their church and community, the seniors hope that the testimonies and stories from this trip will inspire others to step out in faith and be the hands and feet of Jesus, wherever they are called to go.
