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Stories from around the synod June 'Bergie Bus Tour' will take High School Youth to Two Service-Learning Sites in Kansas to Learn about Different Cultural Needs in the World Youth in grades 9-12 will have the opportunity to take part in a service-learning project when Bethany College of Lindsborg, KS sets out on the "Bergie Bus Tour" June 9-16, 2007. Youth will gather at Bethany College then travel by bus to two service-learning sites: the Oaks Indian Mission in Oaks, Okla., and Metropolitan Lutheran Ministry in Kansas City. “The goal is for the youth to learn more about different cultures, needs in the world and their relationship with God as they encounter Christ on the road,” said Noni Strand, Campus Pastor at Bethany. The bus tour is named for Shawn “Bergie” Bergstrom, a 1994 graduate of Bethany. Bergie worked as a youth director at Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend, Kan., and in Seattle, Wash., where he was instrumental in forming Lutheran Youth of North Seattle, a youth and family ministry cooperative of 10 congregations. In 2003, Bergie proposed a week-long service trip for youths. Unfortunately, Bergie’s dream was interrupted by his untimely death in an automobile accident. However, his dream lives on in the Bergie Bus Tour. Bethany College students Chris Deines, Emily Petrosky, Erica Stein and Jessica Oestmann will lead the tour. They were selected because of their love of young people, their commitment to Jesus Christ, and their certification in Youth and Family Ministry through Wartburg Seminary, according to Strand. Chris Deines is excited to complete his education at Bethany College with this youth leadership experience. "This is a once in a life time experience. I hope this trip will reveal to the youth the tremendous positive influence their presence has on the people they serve and inspires them to continue to help others when they return home. I also hope that the youth will experience that being a Christian includes the ways we share God's love through our smiles and presence outside the church." Chris is graduating in May with a degree in Christian Ministries with a youth emphasis and aspires to begin seminary studies in 2008. They will be joined by Strand, Bergie’s parents, Lyle and Doris Bergstrom, and up to eight sponsors. As many as 40 youth will have their entire trip paid for through the Bethany College “Learn, Serve, Lead” grant funded by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. The only cost will be a non-refundable deposit of $40 which will be given as a donation to the two ministries. The Oaks Mission was established in 1838 following the Trail of Tears, when the Cherokee were moved from states in the east to Oklahoma. According to the mission’s website, “Oak Indian Mission provides people, place and program that bring people together for better understanding and appreciation of all people.” The Mission is affiliated with the social ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and houses up to 48 children, offering them care, a sense of home, education and meaning and hope for the future. Metropolitan Lutheran Ministry (MLM) helps disadvantaged people of all races, religions and nationalities in the urban areas of Jackson, Clay and Platte counties in Missouri and Wyandotte and Johnson counties in Kansas. MLM’s work is supported by 47 congregations of the ELCA and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and a total of 167 congregations from 18 denominations and four synagogues. Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to nurture and challenge individuals in their search for truth and meaning as they live lives of faith, learning and service. We thank members for their support through Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for making this mission experience for our youth possible. Rev. Noni Strand “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children.” Ephesians 5:1 |