Mission Staff
Whether it is uniting different blocks or different countries, a key piece of our mission here at YouthWorks-Detroit is bringing people together. The Lord is doing something powerful in our city, and we believe we have been called to invite others to witness and accompany this incredible outpouring of His Spirit.
For as long as we have been here, YWD has invited young adults from around the world to join us as we seek to serve and empower the youth in our neighborhood. While we offer many short-term opportunities to serve alongside us, becoming a member of our Mission Staff is an invitation to become a key participant in our work.
We are in a critical moment in the history of the body of Christ. For decades, many of us have allowed ourselves to become complacent, settling for something far safer and more palatable than the Gospel was ever meant to be. But around the world, Jesus is shaking people from their slumber and commissioning His Bride to renew her commitment to the radical path of missionary discipleship. At YWD, we seek to provide an avenue for young people to answer this call. A chance to forsake privelege and comfort and to instead pursue humility, discipleship, and mission. Our hope is that in joining us as a Mission Staffer, you will have the opportunity to do just that.
Live radically.
As a Mission Staffer, your life will be wholly dedicated to prayer for and service of our neighborhood and our youth. We each have a rhythm of life that is centered upon prayer and service. While the Lord moves powerfully in our times prayer, and He uses us in beautiful ways to serve his little ones, we don’t mince words- the service isn’t always going to be easy. But it is especially in those moments of pressing into the mess that we find ourselves filled with joy at the opportunity to live incarnationally, pouring ourselves out for others just as Christ did for us.
Experience community.
At YWD, we deeply believe in the power of community to transform hearts, minds, souls, and cities. Our God is a community of persons and He calls His people to follow His example. At YWD, we are first and foremost a community of disciples. This commitment extends far beyond the 9 to 5 and is a profound joy to each of us. It’s this community that serves as the bedrock for all we do, as we work to serve and equip our neighborhood’s youth.
Receive formation.
Throughout the year, we take dedicated time to provide the training and pastoral guidance necessary to not only carry out our work in Detroit, but to continue living a bold life of mission long after your time here. Beyond regular group training sessions, each member of our Mission Staff is partnered with a senior member of the team, and receives one-on-one guidance and discipling. In addition, we provide the opportunity to be mentored by or join Men’s and Women’s groups with folks living in the city who have answered a call to care for our staff.
“God was faithful when He gave me this opportunity to serve and grow. He was my friend and supporter whenever I felt useless and inadequate. He was faithful when He removed those feelings of uselessness and used me as an instrument to bring happiness and joy to kids’ lives. He was faithful when He surrounded me with people who cared about Him as much as I do. He was faithful when He gave me relationships I will cherish and hold on to for the rest of my life. God was and is faithful from start to finish. And this truth has left me filled with joy and awe.”
— Mico Santos, Mission Staff ‘19-’21
Follow the call.
If you want to read through some frequently asked questions, or would like to contact our Director to discuss the application and discernment process, please use one of the links below.