Singin’ and Servin’ in Chicago

When the High School Choir made its first mission trip in 1992, a group of 80 students and adults partnered with Uptown Baptist Church to minister to the inner city of Chicago. The choir, which has since shared the love of Christ in most major cities and in Hawaii and Europe, returns to Chicago 16 years later.

“The first trip was powerful,” said Associate Minister of Music and Worship Rick Briscoe. “What Uptown helped us do is create a ministry off the stage. And every year, with every trip, a little bit of Chicago has gone with us.”

More than 300 students and adults are in the Windy City through Friday working with Uptown Baptist, Harvest Bible Chapel and other ministries to feed the homeless, beautify church buildings, lead community outreach events, host concerts, and most importantly, share the Gospel.

“Just coming off Beach Camp, the students are fired up,” Rick said. “Their tanks are full and they’re ready to go and serve.”

People will no doubt wonder why a bunch of kids are spending their summer doing this, said Dustin Weeks, a Prosper High School sophomore who is making the trip.

“Then we get to show them the hope of Christ,” he said.

Dustin said he was looking forward to speaking to as many people as possible about how Christ has changed his life. And, he is excited to see how people will react to their music.

The music and choreography definitely capture people’s attention, Rick said. In Chicago, they’ll minister in huge public locations such as Grant Park, one of the city’s most prominent parks.

“There’s nothing more exciting than to see a group of students who are on fire for God,” Rick said. “It stops traffic. People sense that there’s something supernatural going on.”