St. Lucia, a small Carribbean island with a population of approximately 170,000, is home to Trinity, a WELS congregation.

Being somewhere at the correct moment isn't as important as being in the moment on the island of St. Lucia. But that is not to say that the members of Trinity don't realize that the time is now for community outreach. They have a great opportunity for focusing on youth ministry where 50 percent of the population is under 21 and the unemployment rate is 25 percent. They have a very active youth group, vacation Bible school and a steel pan group, to name a few. One way of doing outreach on the island is simply to get in touch with people.

Future plans for Trinity include a new church building, classrooms, and a sport facility with a covered basketball court—all to create a welcoming environment to present the gospel to more young people.

Over ten years ago, Trinity Lutheran in St. Lucia was the first destination for students from Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, WI-part of WELS ministerial education system-to experience a foreign country through a short-term mission trip. Today, there are many opportunities throughout the year for students from WELS Lutheran High Schools and Colleges across the country to get involved with Trinity’s youth ministry. Volunteers assist in activities from soccer camp and vacation bible school to youth rallies. Although volunteers are there to help-often it’s their gain-making friends and growing in their faith alongside children and teens from a different culture.

Six students from Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School in Jackson, WI, recently volunteered to help with canvassing efforts and assist in several outreach programs in Castries. The mission trip was completely self-funded by the Kettle students by fundraising efforts throughout the year leading up to the excursion. The experience proved to be life-changing on many levels for both the U.S. students and the Trinity youth group members. To learn more, view the Kettle High School - Trinity video.

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