August 7, 2025

This summer, Galilee youth weren’t just making memories—they were making a difference.

Across two weeks—beginning July 7 and July 15—Galilee’s family ministry held its annual SummerServe and Summer Venture programs. SummerServe is a local service week for rising 6th to 8th graders, while Summer Venture is an off-site mission experience for older youth. Together, these programs form the heart of Galilee’s summer outreach.

SummerServe: Middle Schoolers in Action

Our SummerServe theme comes from Micah 6:8. Each day, our group of 12 students and 3 adult leaders reflected on a part of the verse as we went out into the community to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.

We served with:

• Mobile Hope, supporting at-risk youth with sorting and distribution tasks
• LINK, helping provide food and essential supplies to neighbors in need
• JK Community Farm, harvesting produce to fight hunger
• Loudoun Homeless Shelter, offering help and dignity to the unhoused
• Galilee’s own Gift Garden and our Backpack Buddies pantry, serving right here at home

For some students, this was their very first time volunteering. They brought energy, compassion, and big hearts to each project.

Summer Venture: Learning Through Service

Our Summer Venture group traveled to the Roanoke Valley, where they lived out the words of James 2:15-17: “Faith without works is dead.” Hosted by Redwood UMC in Rocky Mount, VA, our students found both purpose and joy through service.

Here’s just some of what they did:

• Led Camp Firelight VBS for local kids at the Henry Fork Center, sharing Bible stories, crafts, science experiments, and games.
• Volunteered at Lake Christian Ministries, preparing school supplies and painting.
• Helped at the Roanoke Rescue Mission, cleaning up after meals and preparing lunches (with placemats made at our own Go&Be Fellowship Supper).
• Supported the Rescue Mission’s thrift shops, which fund vital services.

Of course, there was fun too! Our crew hiked Natural Bridge State Park, visited the Booker T. Washington National Park Site, bowled at Rocky Mount Bowling Center, enjoyed a cookout on Smith Mountain Lake. They even stopped at Buc-ee’s on the way home.

It’s been a summer full of service, scripture, and community. Check out the photos from both weeks—and thank you to everyone who helped make SummerServe and Summer Venture a success!