RCHS Students Spend 10 Days Serving on Navajo Nation
Mission Team Students (left to right): Jonathan Murray, David Barquero, Cristiana Ramos, Lily Enos, Savannah Mora, Katrina Davis, Craig Yanagihara, Ethan Neal, Omera Hooker, Reece Gallarzan, Hannah John, Tori Hopken, Sarah Yeh, Andrew Niiya, Agape Tesfamichael, Nathanael Butler, Abby Hague and Julianna Loux.
The Redwood Christian High School Missions Team recently returned from a ten-day service trip to the Navajo Nation in Window Rock, Arizona. The team partnered with Across Nations to serve wherever needed, including students working on the construction of a new radio building, volunteering at Hilltop Christian Schools through tutoring and engaging with students, and helping the full time staff as needed.
The Mission Trip is an essential part of a class at Redwood Christian High School that gives students the opportunity to put their Faith into action and demonstrate what they have learned tangibly. Students learn to keep their “eyes up” to see and do whatever is needed. Students also learn that this can be done wherever they are in their school, their church or their local community.
“It’s been a privilege and an honor to lead this team of students who embody the adage of ‘all in servanthood.’. As they serve in the Navajo Nation, it has been amazing to see God move in their hearts and the hearts of others,” stated Dr. Evan Barnhart, Missions Team Lead.
Missions Team chaperones for the trip were Team Leader Evan Barnhart, Alumna Mom Debra Ceremony, RCS Teacher and Coach Greg Hinton, Alumni Parents Mike and Robin Spade, and RCS Art Teacher Carley Platt.
Dr. Al Hearne, Superintendent of Redwood Christian Schools, organized the first mission trip in November 2006, when he was a Teacher and Missions Team Lead. The first six mission trips were to Guatemala (2006-2011) followed by the Dominican Republic (2012), and since 2013, the Navajo Nation, traveling each school year since the 2006-07 school year, with the exception of 2019-20 and 2020-21 due to Covid.
Dr. Hearne fondly remembers those early years and the impact serving others had on his students, “the goal of the missions team has always been to engage students in ministry, allowing them to do the ministry God had placed before them. Each year, I continue to be amazed at how our students rise to the challenge, going above and beyond, using their gifts, talents, and abilities to glorify God.”
Picture Captions (no photo credit, variety of photographers)
Mission Team Students (left to right): Jonathan Murray, David Barquero, Cristiana Ramos, Lily Enos, Savannah Mora, Katrina Davis, Craig Yanagihara, Ethan Neal, Omera Hooker, Reece Gallarzan, Hannah John, Tori Hopken, Sarah Yeh, Andrew Niiya, Agape Tesfamichael, Nathanael Butler, Abby Hague and Julianna Loux
Pic little girl with reading book : 2022-23 Senior Homecoming Prince Reece Gallarzan tutoring
Pic little girl at white board: Craig Yanagihara tutoring
Pic student with saw: 2022-23 Homecoming Queen Agape Tesfamichael working on the new radio building with RCS Chaperone and alumni dad, Mike Spade
Pic Missions Team leading chapel worship at Hilltop Christian School
