With SEU Missions, every trip is an opportunity for students to step into the unknown, serve others, and encounter God in powerful ways — whether they stay in the U.S., or travel internationally. Along with a team of nine other students, Raevn Richie, a student at SEU, had the opportunity to go to Chicago with SEU Missions to serve and minister to the community. The experience that this team had was nothing short of life-changing. In the following blog, Raevn shares her experience and all that God did throughout this trip.
Chicago, Illinois is a place that is often misrepresented and overlooked, yet full of stories waiting to be heard. This trip challenged my assumptions and deepened my heart for ministry in unexpected ways. In May, I had the opportunity to spend 11 days in Chicago with SEU Missions. While this was my third mission trip with SEU, it was my first one within the states. Until now, my heart for missions had always been drawn overseas, so going on a trip within the U.S. wasn’t something I saw coming. But through Go Conf 2024 (SEU’s annual missions conference), God shifted my perspective and stirred a new passion for a city right here in my own backyard.
Ministry that Fed the Soul & Body
Evangelism was our main ministry focus on this trip. My team and I were able to foster relationships with the community that allowed us to share and reflect the gospel through street evangelism and community outreach. We were able to partner with Chicago City Life Center and Convoy of Hope to do this in a unique way.
On a few days of the trip, my team and I went to different street corners in Chicago, set up a few tables, a grill, some condiments, and a speaker, and served the community hot dogs. This way of doing street evangelism allowed my team and other members of the church to be directly involved with the community by meeting them right where they were to talk, listen, pray, and offer them a free meal.
It may sound simple, but it was so much more than a meal. Through that act of service, doors were opened. We got to have real, meaningful conversations. We listened to people’s stories — stories about their life, hurt, hope, loss, and resilience. We prayed with them, encouraged them, and spoke life into their situations through sharing the hope that Jesus brings.
Something so ordinary — serving a hot dog — became a vessel for the extraordinary. The gospel was preached not just through words, but through love in action. And in those moments, the presence of God showed up. Not in a church building, but rather, His love met people right where they were on sidewalks and street corners.
Serving the Local Church & Community
Alongside street evangelism, my team and I were able to help with service projects throughout our time spent in Chicago. We partnered with two local nonprofit organizations, helping sort through and organize donations. We spent two days serving at World Vision and one day at Future Ties.
Another service project my team and I got to be a part of was serving the campus of Chicago City Life Center. We spent three days of the trip doing yard work, cleaning the preschool playground, painting the church walls, and sealing the parking lot behind the church.
Service projects are a vital part of ministry on the mission field, and personally one of my favorite forms of ministry. They provide a tangible way to come alongside ministry partners and the local community, offering encouragement and practical support. Through these acts of service, my team and I were able to reflect the love of Christ and truly be His hands and feet. Beyond meeting physical needs, serving in these ways builds relationships and communicates to local ministries and organizations that they are seen, valued, and supported.
Loved In the Eyes of Their Creator
There was a phrase that ran through my head every single day of this trip and truly set the tone for ministry:
“There won’t be someone you’ll lock eyes with that Jesus didn’t die for.”
No matter what someone was going through, what pain they carried, what addictions they battled, what neighborhood they lived in, or what story shaped them… they were fully known and unconditionally loved by the One who gave His life for them. God’s heart beats for His children in Chicago.
A passage that continued to come up throughout this trip was John 15, where Jesus talks about abiding in Him as the true vine. Along with the phrase above, the verses in this chapter set the tone for each day of ministry and time together as a team. Jesus’ words within this chapter served as a constant reminder that in every situation and interaction, we were to abide in the Lord and allow His love to shine through us.
Through abiding in Him, we allowed God to ordain every moment of ministry, trusted that seeds were being planted in the lives of those we encountered, and let ourselves be stretched beyond our comfort zones. By walking in obedience and remaining in Him, we were able to reflect the love of Christ through both word and actions.
Later in the chapter, Jesus says in John 15:12, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” As we continued leaning into the Lord through abiding in Him, we saw this verse come to life. Not only were we, as a team, impacted and strengthened through this ministry, but the people we met were able to encounter the love of Christ.
Abiding in the Lord allowed us to love the people of Chicago as He loves us.
What a beautiful, intentional ministry to be part of. And what a privilege it was to be used by God to remind people in Chicago that they are not forgotten or overlooked — they are deeply loved.
About SEU Missions
Hundreds of students, faculty, and staff travel the globe each year through SEU Missions. Each student-led mission trip has a specific purpose with one overall goal — to spread the Good News to the ends of the earth.
By Raevn Richie, SEU Student Writer
Learn More
SEU Missions
Spiritual Life at SEU
Hoskins School of Mission
Apply to SEU
