THE YOUTH CHOIR TRIP
For over 20 years, the Youth Choir at First Baptist Church of Tallahassee has been an integral part of its ministry. Under the direction of Pam Cooke, this ministry has seen middle and high school students develop not only their musical chops but their spiritual ones as well.
The mission of the Youth Choir at FBCTLH serves multiple purposes. The first is to establish, build, and develop a foundation of faith through songs filled with scripture. As students mature and grow, this foundation can be something that they refer to through life stages, many of which can include difficult times and struggles. The hope is also that this experience will be a part of their faith training, so, like the proverb says, as they are trained in the way they should go, and as they grow old, they will not depart from it.
In addition to helping to lay a firm foundation for the youth, the Youth Choir provides an opportunity for students to experience and grow in ministering to others through mission work. Every summer since 2000, the Youth Choir has taken a summer missions trip to various parts of the country ministering to others through music and song. This year will be no different.
From June 3 – 9, 49 youth and 15 chaperones will travel together to minister the gospel of Jesus through song to communities that are often forgotten or neglected.
Charleston, South Carolina is the location of this year’s mission trip, with stops along the way in Jacksonville, Florida and Savannah, Georgia. Charleston is known for its rich history, and architecture and it is also known as “The Holy City.” Charleston is also home to the Jenkins Institute for Children, formerly known as The Jenkins Orphanage. The Jenkins Orphanage was established in 1891 by Rev. Daniel Joseph Jenkins, a Baptist minister who encountered street children and chose to organize an orphanage for them. Jenkins hired local musicians to teach the children music and eventually, bands from the orphanage performed not only across the United States but also in parts of Europe as well. The Youth Choir will have the privilege to minister to children there during this year’s trip.
The Youth Choir will also perform this year at various retirement communities, a drug rehab center, and a VA Hospital. On Friday, June 7, they will even sing the National Anthem at a Charleston Riverdogs baseball game! The Riverdogs are a minor league baseball team affiliated with the New York Yankees who will be playing against the Asheville Tourists that evening.
This year’s trip also includes visits to a few landmark churches in the United States. These churches are the First African Baptist Church, the oldest black church in North America, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, and The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, often referred to as Mother Emanuel, and the location of the shooting that occurred in 2015. The Youth Choir will worship at their Wednesday night worship service.
As is custom, the trip will come to an end with the Youth Choir Home Concert on Sunday, June 9, at 6:00PM in the FBCTLH Sanctuary. As the youth return from their time of spiritual growth and service, we invite you to come and show your support of the work, effort, and time they have invested to serve others and grow in their faith.