Lastly, New York City is where a group of Caucasian and Native American youth from Minneapolis first experienced a densely populated and diverse neighborhood that they had known from watching "CSI." In cooperation with a local ministry, they helped develop a meal program for the homeless.

This group was so well prepared to lead that when they returned to the Twin Cities they got their whole church engaged in providing shelter, food and other crucial services to the homeless in their own community.

Mission trips are vital and can be most successful at leadership training if they include the student in a serving and leading activity where he or she can reflect critically on what was observed and learned, determine what was useful or important to remember and use the information to perform another activity back home at church, in the community or on campus.

Cross the Barrier

It's key to look for mission trips that not only have your group serving but also developing relationships across cultures other than their own. A good mission trip will provide opportunities for active leading and directed learning. You will know that your mission trip was successful when you hear your students say, "I never thought I could do____________, but God used me to do just that." If your group returns home not only fired up to serve but with the ability to lead, you will know the time, effort, resources and sacrifices were worth it.

Many urban youth workers already know their groups are full of leaders. Breaking the cycle of only being recipients of service and accessing resources to participate in cross-cultural mission trips outside their city are existing hurdles these urban groups will need to overcome. The first step for these groups may be to serve in simple ways right in their own community to prepare themselves to go elsewhere. Serving in a variety of ministries (soup kitchens, Vacation Bible School, playing Bingo at a nursing home) all increase the chances that the youth will find the niche in which they best fit. Even committing to serve one Saturday a month will expand their horizons and allow them to build relationships while building character.

Partner with Others

Sometimes urban youth leaders shy away from engaging in cross-cultural mission trips simply because of cost. With a little digging though, you'll find there are resources out there to launch urban youth groups into service. While it's not wise to let anyone do a mission trip for free, innovative fundraising can be key to involving all potential leaders. There are many mission agencies that provide scholarships that make trips more affordable. Many organizations provide creative fundraising ideas, as well. Don't hesitate to contact these agencies directly to inquire about the different resources that may be available for your team.

Another option is to bridge with a suburban youth group. Develop a relationship with a group different from your own group's culture. Suggest joining that group on a mission trip. Groups that serve together will begin the difficult process of reconciliation. Making a trip more affordable often can multiply the impact that groups could make individually. Fundraise together; go through pre- and post-trip training together; travel together. The more time you invest in each other's groups, the more successful your trip will be!

A quick but strong warning to suburban youth workers would be that all too often suburban youth ministries think of partnerships with urban or ethnic youth groups in an "adoption" paradigm. Instead, consider a "bridge" metaphor that allows your group and a culturally or socio-economically distant group to learn mutually from each other; work toward genuine, biblical reconciliation; engage in teamwork; make a powerful impact on their world; and develop all the students as world-class Christians.

Never fall into the trap of believing that at-risk youth cannot serve or lead. Experiential mission trips enhances leadership skills and build positive attitudes among all youth. Expect the outcome of your mission experience to include leadership development, confidence building, empowerment and mission-force strength. Together we can build the next generation of Christian urban leaders among all people.