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One of the things we loved about this year’s BigStuf theme, Welcome to the Neighborhood, was the reminder that following Jesus means moving toward people, serving people, and seeing value in people. That’s something we’ve tried to model for the last 21 years. On the way to BigStuf, our charter bus pulled up and it was time to load the luggage. Before adults could step in, a group of middle and high school boys jumped in and loaded the entire bottom of the bus. Was it perfect?...

Help Us Collect Chairs for New Orleans! Our 18th Annual Mission Trip to New Orleans is almost here, and we leave on July 1st—just 13 days away! For the past 18 years, we’ve had the privilege of serving in this incredible city, sharing the love of Jesus with people from all walks of life. One of the most meaningful things we do each year is give away folding sport chairs to those experiencing homelessness. Something as simple as a chair can provide rest, comfort, dignity, and a...

One of my favorite unexpected moments from BigStuf happened on the way back from St. Andrews State Park. The middle school boys and I stopped at Circle K to get gas, and I made the very important camp decision that everyone needed a slushy. As we walked inside, the boys started singing what they called the “Slushy Song” (which I’m pretty sure they made up on the spot). They were singing so loudly and enthusiastically that people all around the store stopped and turned around to see...

One student surrendered her life to Christ at BigStuf 2026, and many others left with a renewed desire to follow Him more faithfully. For the 21st year, we watched God work in incredible ways through BigStuf. This year’s theme, Welcome to the Neighborhood, challenged us to see people the way Jesus sees them—not as ordinary, but as people created in the image of God. One student wrote: “The issue is not who is my neighbor, it’s who I am becoming.” Another...

BigStuf 2026 — Year 21 We’re officially on our way. Thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement over the years. We’re grateful for another opportunity to take students to this incredible camp. The Walk Youth Group Building 229 oneneednow.com Venmo: oneneednow Thomas County area ministry

Last Friday we were blessed to partner with a ministry led by a man named Carlos that faithfully lives out the Great Commission. Three times every week, they go into MacArthur Park to preach the gospel, pray with people, and point them to Jesus. It was an honor to serve alongside them, but one of the highlights of the week was watching our teenagers boldly share their testimonies and publicly talk about what Jesus has done in their lives. We are incredibly proud of them. Seeing the next...

Yesterday morning we had a workday at Building 229, and we are so grateful for the students who showed up to help. For three straight hours they worked hard and accomplished an incredible amount. Together we emptied an entire storage room, organized another storage room that had become a complete mess, sorted New Orleans mission trip supplies, packed the building for next week’s trip to Bigstuf, and completed a variety of other projects around the property. What we appreciate most is...

We just returned from our 3rd Annual Los Angeles-Hollywood Mission Trip, and one lesson kept showing up everywhere we went: People want to be seen. We arrived on Pentecost Sunday and spent the week studying Acts 1-4, watching how ordinary people were filled with the Holy Spirit and boldly shared the hope of Jesus. Then each day we walked out the door and saw those same truths come to life. While serving alongside Serve LA, one guest told our students how much it meant that they sat...

Yesterday I met a man who had every reason to be angry. He told me he grew up in an orphanage in Mexico. As a young man, he left everything he knew and crossed the border into America. He wasn't chasing riches or comfort. He was running from the dangers of the city where he grew up, hoping for a chance at a different life. What he found here was something he never expected. He found Jesus. As he sat across from me, he spoke about that moment with the kind of conviction that can only come...

When arriving to serve in LA, we met a 73-year-old woman sitting on the porch and spent a couple of hours listening to her story. She shared about losing both her husband and mother, suffering two strokes, and eventually finding herself homeless—something she never imagined would happen to her after years of serving others as a sheriff. She told us, “I went from helping people like this to becoming one of those people.” It was such a reminder that all of us are vulnerable to the...

Yesterday I met a 33-year-old man at Serve LA. He first stopped by asking what time meals would be served, then came back around lunch and sat at a table with a group of people I had already built relationships with. As we talked about life, pets, and the weather, the conversation turned to Jesus. The moment His name was mentioned, the man immediately began to cry. Through tears he apologized and shared that he had recently been kicked out by his parents after struggling to get his...

Yosemite National Park - California Los Angeles Mission Trip 2026 The Walk Youth Group oneneednow.com Venmo: oneneednow Building 229 Thomas County area ministry