60+ YOUTH SERVE TOGETHER IN POWERFUL DAY OF FAITH AND ACTION
The event was part of Global Youth Service Day, a worldwide initiative by Youth Services America that celebrates the power of young people to improve their communities through service, leadership and civic action.
Pastor Rich Bensinger of First United Methodist Church and President of the Rapid City Interfaith Council welcomed the youth and opened the day’s program, which included a prayer and song led by Bri Price, Director of Ministries.
“I was truly inspired by the incredible number of youth and adults who came together from across our community. We are proud to create space for young people to lead with compassion and action—this event lnot only fostered understanding across faiths but also delivered real support to those who serve our neighbors every day,” said Bensinger.
Participant Noah, age 16, shared, “It was very cool to meet together and experience how the other religious practices conduct their meetings.”
Keynote speaker Malcom Chapman, a well-known local civic leader, shared inspiring stories from his own family experiences to illustrate the importance of teamwork, kindness, and taking action. “I liked his personal stories and how positive he was,” said Shelby, 14. “It was really cool how he read a Dr. Seuss book to us.”
Youth then broke into small groups to complete a variety of service projects:
- Trail Mix Bags – for guests at Cornerstone Rescue Mission
- Sack Lunches – for Trinity Lutheran Church’s outreach program
- Tie Blankets & Pocket Hearts – for children at Children’s Home Society
- Pet Toys – for animals awaiting adoption at the Humane Society of the Black Hills
- Craft Kits – for children at the Women and Children’s Shelter
- Outdoor Service Projects – including yard work and fence staining at WAVI, spring cleaning at Faith Temple Church, and garden care at the Trinity Eco Prayer Park
Adelaide, 13, enjoyed making Pocket Hearts. “It was a pretty cool activity,” she said. “I liked that we were helping other kids. Oh, and lunch was good!” Lexy, 14, appreciated the sense of community: “The people who went to the activity wanted to be there. They didn’t act like they were forced to help. That was special because I was really able to feel the Spirit of God.”
At the Eco Prayer Park, students learned from Director Ken Steinken about the spiritual connection between faith and environmental stewardship. Noah, age 16, appreciated “learning about what they were trying to accomplish when they built it. One of the things we did was distribute the dead plants around the park because the next day they were going to burn it all to bring more nutrients to the park and make room for more native plants.”
Atticus, 16, felt the activity was a fun way to help the community. “When we were done,” he said, “you could see the impact we had on the park.”
Speaking of the day’s events, Noah concluded, “It was definitely worth my Saturday.”
Participants also contributed cans of soup and adult size socks for donation to organizations in need of these items.
This event was made possible in part by the generous support of Thrivent Financial, whose donation has helped fund supplies for our youth-led projects.
