Typically, on Giving Tuesday we focus on the impact your support makes on the students that Purposeful Connections serves in many Christian schools across the Northeast.

This year I’d like to share with you how your support makes a difference in the lives of our growing number of volunteers!

While I’m the only full-time team member, I don’t travel to schools alone.

High school students, college students, recent graduates taking a gap year, retirees, and other adults give their time, talent, and treasure to serve on a team at a school.

Some volunteers give up a week of school vacation, and some take a week off from work. Many volunteer at the same school multiple times.

These volunteers desire to be a blessing, but typically they end up also being blessed.

Mercy reflected on some personal healing she received through her week with us at Manhattan Christian Academy. "God taught me so many things about my own life throughout the week. I had been holding onto so many broken pieces and sins in my own life that I was ashamed of. For the first time, I finally vocalized many of the things I had gone through, bringing them to God and letting go of them. Through talking with the wonderful kids at MCA, I felt as if I finally saw God's reasons for my own struggles, because these kids were going through the same things I had. Yesterday, after coming home, I was able to open up to my closest loved ones about my past struggles… and have been relishing in such incredible peace from God. Not only am I elated God used me in the lives of the kids, but He clearly used the kids to work in my own life."

The trip may have another long-term impact in Mercy’s life: “This trip has opened my eyes to an entirely new career path that I had previously promised myself I'd never pursue.”

Like Mercy, Joe experienced God redeeming some of his own struggles, both with sin and with a deep personal loss of someone very close to him. "What I found was that even though we were there to encourage the kids, I was encouraged. It was crazy seeing how God used my testimony and the testimony of my team members to speak into the lives of so many young people. Many times throughout the week, I found myself spending late nights digging into scripture to give biblical answers to deep and difficult questions asked by my journal partner. Spending a week alongside Matt Huffman and the team is an experience I will never forget, and it has forever changed the way I view my testimony and the struggles I’ve had in life."

Sarah grew up having spiritual emphasis week in elementary and middle school and began serving with us in 9th grade. "For many years I have had the privilege of having Purposeful Connections be a part of my life. As an elementary and middle school student, it was so amazing to have a ministry that encouraged me to enjoy learning about God and what it truly means to be a Christian. The time they spent investing in me and my classmates was invaluable during my early years. Later, I had the privilege of working with this ministry, traveling to other Christian schools like my own and investing in the lives of others. Their willingness to allow me to minister to kids even my own age was the most formative and valuable time I had, growing my own personal foundation of faith through encouraging the faith journeys of others."

Mercy, Joe, and Sarah… Their stories of healing, redemption, and growth (and the stories of so many more) are the fruit of your investment and God’s grace.

Through your support, Purposeful Connections will continue providing meaningful opportunities for people of all ages to experience God’s transforming work in their own lives as they serve others.

This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to be part of God’s work not only in the lives of students but also volunteers.

Would you partner with us through a one-time donation or by becoming one of our monthly partners?

Thank you for prayerfully considering your partnership with Purposeful Connections so that together we can impact youth and adults throughout the Northeast!

#GivingTuesday 2023: Impacting More Than Just Students

You're changing the lives of students AND volunteers!

Team Members