As we look into the future of missions for our Middle School Ministry at our church one of the major aspects we look for in a Missions Trip is that it will be a CATALYST FOR FAITH FORMATION! We hope that mission opportunities will lay a foundation of spiritual growth in lives of our students, so I have come up with three aspects of faith formation that I hope will be achieved on all student mission trips.
Three aspects of faith formation that I look for
1. "Discover and use their spiritual gifts."
One of the core faith formations for all Christians is to discover their spiritual gifts. Missions give students opportunities to experience different ministries, allowing them to see how God has wired them, and how He can use them for his purposes.
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
2. "Allow students to get outside themselves and see people through God’s eyes."
God calls us to serve others, help the poor, reach the lost, and to love others. Our mission’s opportunities should give students a chance to get outside their normal routine and open their eyes to the needs of the world around them.
2. "Allow students to get outside themselves and see people through God’s eyes."
God calls us to serve others, help the poor, reach the lost, and to love others. Our mission’s opportunities should give students a chance to get outside their normal routine and open their eyes to the needs of the world around them.
Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
3. "Put feet to their faith."
Spiritual growth happens when you put action to your faith. It allows students to experience the joy of serving, the joy of life change, the joy of seeing God use them to do great things.
3. "Put feet to their faith."
Spiritual growth happens when you put action to your faith. It allows students to experience the joy of serving, the joy of life change, the joy of seeing God use them to do great things.
Matthew 7:24 “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
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Scott Pittman is a Middle School Pastor veteran with over 20 years of experience. He is currently serving as the Middle School Pastor at Shadow Mountain Community Church in San Diego County. Scott has a Masters in Pastoral Care from Bethel Seminary San Diego. He has a passion to help families and students through the challenges that arise during the middle school years. Scott enjoys networking with other youth workers and helping churches develop a healthy and consistent youth ministry that fits the culture of their church. 
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