Genevieve Gromlich, former Content and Communications Manager
3 min read
Longing for Community
Every year, the holiday season seems to start earlier—decorations go up and purchases are made in preparation for Christmas long before December....
Rebecca and Jeremiah Hughes and their kids are investing in the lives of Spokane’s at-risk children through their church and UGM's Youth Outreach program.
Every summer, UGM Youth Outreach partners with local churches to invite kids ages 8-11 from the region’s low-income neighborhoods to enjoy a week at UGM Camp. While UGM provides the support staff, the churches lead the programming and provide counselors, thereby creating long-term relationships that can grow year-round. The goal is to break the cycle of homelessness, abuse, and addiction in our community before it passes to the next generation.
The Hughes family and Mission Church have risen to the challenge. Last summer, Rebecca and their oldest son, Kevin, were cabin leaders, the younger son, Brian, was a cabin helper, and Jeremiah was a camp chef. We asked them how they got involved. Rebecca said, “Our kids’ pastor, Sue, saw what UGM was doing here, and it really prompted a desire in her heart to start an after-school program at the church. It took about six months to cultivate, but we launched in March. We call it Mission Club. The fantastic thing is that every single kid from Mission Club is either here at UGM Camp or they went to our church camp earlier this summer.”
Kevin shared an impactful story: “Last year, we met a kid named Carroll. He ended up getting on stage at the end and telling some of his story and what God was doing. After camp, he and his whole family—his sisters and his mom—started coming to our church, and both Carroll and his 14-year-old sister were baptized. He brought another one of his sisters to camp this year, and says that next year, his two younger sisters are coming.
“We are really showing these kids who Jesus is.” - Kevin, cabin leader
“We are really showing these kids who Jesus is,” Kevin added. “I’ve had some kids say ‘I don’t know who that is’ and I get to tell them about Him. I just hope they’ll know He’s always with them, that they can take these truths with them forever.”
Families like this are putting in the work to build a stronger, more connected community for all of us. You can be a part of this mission by sponsoring a camper this summer or getting your church connected through a partnership with UGM Camp.
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