By JENNIFER BAILEY / Staff Writer

ALABASTER – Thirty-one participants of the Alabaster-based Evangel Presbyterian Church youth group in Alabaster are going on a mission trip to Belize from June 6 to 13. The group will partner with Thirst Missions for the third time this year to travel to Belize and work with Alta Mira Nazarene Church in Alta Mira.

“The goal of Thirst Missions is to partner with teams and provide opportunities for groups to minister, to keep everyone safe, to guide the trip in cultural areas, and to take care of all the behind-the-scenes details,” Addie Pfingsten, mission consultant for Thirst Ministries, wrote in an email.

To prepare the members of Evangel Church for their mission trip to Belize, Thirst Missions provides a manual to help the groups. Prior to the trip, each person attending must find at least five prayer partners, raise the necessary financial support, prepare their chosen ministries in which they will lead in Belize and attend the required preparation meetings.

The group will be leading church and vacation bible school, help community service projects, participate in a puppet ministry in the local schools, try to get children involved through playing in a volleyball and basketball tournament and host an ice cream social.

Pfingsten said that “many members of the Evangel Church youth group will also be visiting people’s homes in the community to talk, share about life in the United States, invite them to the week’s activities, pray with them and begin building relationships.”

Before the trip comes to an end, the youth will have the opportunity to see Caye Caulker by water taxi. They will be able to enjoy some time snorkeling and exploring a different part of Belize.

“Thirst Missions is looking forward once again to leading the Evangel Church youth group on this life-changing trip to paradise,” Pfingsten wrote.