May 26-30, 2025 | Ridgecrest, NC
A Mission Trip On A Mission
This May, RISE Youth Ministry will go to Ridgecrest, North Carolina, to help those whose lives were uprooted on Black Mountain with the historic flooding from Hurricane Helene last year. Our teens have one goal in mind: to serve others as Jesus did. Servio Deo translates to “serving God’ and this trip allows our teens to fulfill that calling.
The Details
This year’s mission trip is open to students currently in 7th-12th grade. Young adults and adults are also welcome and encouraged to attend! To count as an adult chaperone, you must be 21 years of age or older. Those that graduated HS last year but have not yet reached 21 should register as a Work Crew member.
COST: $525 (with options for payment plans and scholarships available)
If you are unable to pay at this time, please contact Frankie Tripodi at ftripodi@stmatthewtn.org.
Registration will remain open until April 20 or until all spots are filled. *Spots are limited and are first-come, first-served!
There is a mandatory meeting for students, parents, and chaperones on Wednesday, May 7, at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Conference Center to go over important information about the trip.
Chaperone vehicles will be used throughout the week to travel to and from Ridgecrest, NC, and transport participants to work sites.
We will be staying at Ridgecrest Conference Center for the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Servio Deo means “Serving God.” It is our annual mission trip by our youth ministry program. It is a special opportunity to open to let our youth focus on serving God and serving others. It’ll consist of a rhythm between service projects, sacraments, evening programs with games, and small group discussions. There will also be opportunities throughout to build friendships, faith, and your love for life as you serve others.
Schedule will be released as the week gets closer.
Every worksite is different. There is a chance we may be split up into different groups (never without a Saint Matthew Chaperone). If this happens, teens will likely be divided by grades.
Overall, this will be hurricane and flooding cleanup and rebuilding. You may get dirty, you may be working out in the sun or in a house. You could be painting, or cleaning up debris. More details will be shared at the Mandatory meeting as the cleanup needs are ever-changing. We have a team to review worksites in advance to ensure the projects are a good match for Saint Matthew participants.
The work crew members are vital to a successful mission trip. In many ways, the work crew members function as camp staff filling critical needs and roles. They’ll be involved in the nitty gritty work behind the scenes as well as being front and center and leading our teens throughout the week. Work crew members are college aged students who have been out of high school for at least one year. Please note, the work crew form is an application and not a first-come, first-served registration. Should you have any questions, please contact Frankie Tripodi. There is no cost to apply to be a work crew member, nor cost if you are chosen to work and serve our teens for the week.
There is absolutely no way we’d be able to go on a mission trip if it wasn’t for our amazing chaperones! As a chaperone, you’ll not only help us caravan to North Carolina and back, but you’ll also get the opportunity to truly participate in the experience with the teens. You’ll be at worksites, evening programs, meals, Mass, walking and guiding our group. The specific responsibilities day to day will look different: Tuesday, perhaps you’ll become the designated DJ; Wednesday might require some creative thinking on how to get kids to talk; Thursday, possibly keeping a joyful spirit of service; Friday, probably rolling kids out of bed; The possibilities are vast. If you have any specific questions regarding this, please let me know!
Chaperones must be 21 or older and cleared through the diocese’s safe environment program. Rules and expectations of these adults will be communicated towards the beginning of the week. We must abide by Diocesan and organizational guidelines to ensure we keep an appropriate student to chaperone ratio.
If your student worked at the Pancake Breakfast in February, they are automatically eligible for a scholarship. Since this event has already passed, there will be a few additional opportunities as we get closer to the mission trip. These will not be advertised, so make sure to contact Frankie for more information.