July 2007 - Southern Adventist University

Southern Union FeatureA Cruise With a MissionBy Raewyn HankinsThere is a disturbing trend inthe Seventh-day Adventist Church.Today, 61 percent of American youngadults, active in church as teens, arenow disengaged. Each year youngfaces disappear, taking with themtheir joy, energy, and talents. Thereality is that many of these youngpeople do not find their home inother churches. They are facing theworld alone spiritually—with tragicconsequences. This painful reality iscompelling a diverse team of youngadults from across the country todevote their energy and resources toengage this missing generation.These young adults are spearheadingan exciting new initiativecalled Cruise with a Mission (CWM).CWM is an innovative project by andfor young adults, ages 18 to 35, whichcombines a vacation and spiritual retreatwith active and meaningful missionprojects. CWM found reality withAndrews University’s Center for YouthEvangelism. “God is totally moving,”shares Genevieve Koh, a young adultpastor in Southern California. “Thismission will accomplish far more thanwe can imagine.”Cruising December 16-23, 2007,from Tampa, Florida, to Belize,Guatemala, and Mexico, 500 youngadults from all over the world willcollectively spend 7,500 hours engagingin construction, medical work,children’s ministry, and simple actsof kindness. Wheremost of the worldsees a tropical touristrealm, Caleb Vin-Cross, CWM graphicand web designer,sees real needs: “Weare turning the tableson our self-centeredtourist culture and usingit instead to touchthe people living inits shadows with thelove of God...it reallyis exciting!”In addition toserving people in theports, Steve Hemenwayis excited thatCWM is “a fresh, fun and exciting opportunityfor young adult Christians togrow in their spiritual walk” throughworkshops, dynamic worship, andsmall groups. Rochelle Webster comments,“Many Adventist young adultsfeel there are few places where theycan discuss their questions, struggles,ideas, and hopes with other youngadults. It is our hope that Cruise Witha Mission will be such a place.”“CWM is intentionally holistic: aspiritual retreat, a social network, anda mission trip all in one place,” saysRenee Stepp, the on-ship programmingdirector from Berrien Springs,Michigan. Tara VinCross, CWM director,shares her vision for her youngChildren’s ministries will be animportant part of the outreach.adult peers to makea difference in theworld. “We see CWMas a catalyst forlife-transformation,resulting in a wayof life consumed byGod.”Please pray forCWM and any youngadults you knowwhom you can invite.“We have a visionfor the future of theAdventist Church,”encourages NissaAnderson, a youngadult volunteer, “andwe challenge eachother as emerging leaders to create aspiritual unity of young adult believersliving love through servanthood. Weneed everyone, young adult or not, topray for CWM.”If you are a young adult, or knowa young adult, tell them about CWM.We ask for your support, throughprayer, encouraging a young adult tofind out more about CWM or by contributingfinancially to help provide away for a young adult to participatein this amazing opportunity. To getinvolved, or make a donation, pleasevisit www.cruisewithamission.org.Raewyn Hankins is the co-marketingdirector for Cruise With a Mission in BerrienSprings, Michigan.The team prays before boarding the MS Veendam.Towns in Guatemala and Belize are mission destinations.July 2007 • TIDINGS 33