Take a look at our trip!!

DAY 1

DAY 2

DAY 3

DAY 4

DAY 5

DAY 6

DAY 7

DAY 8

COMING SOON: A link to our videos!

Day 6, 7, 8 & MI!!!

Time sure did get away from us! We apologize for not blogging the last three days of our trip. We had a very busy schedule. It was tough finding time to sit down and blog.

On day 6, team 1 started their day off back at St. Paul's House. It was always a pleasure to serve at St. Paul's! Team 1 spent their afternoon at Encore Senior Center where they did Meals on Heals. Team 2 spent their morning at Yorkville Common Pantry. Both teams had free time after 2:30pm. Individuals split into smaller groups. Individuals chose to do different activities. The evening consisted of Chelsea Market, Tigers Game, and Wicked!!! This was a much needed relaxing evening for everyone.

On day 7, it was team 2's turn to serve at St. Paul's in the morning. Team 2 then served at Carter Burden in the afternoon. Team 1 spent their morning at Yorkville Common Pantry. Team 1 had previously worked hard to prepare grocery bags of food for different sized families. Today, team 1 was able to give out those grocery bags of food during the food pantry. Both teams met up for a delicious lunch at Sara Beth's. The two teams then headed to Central Park. Time was spent doing life tokens and singing! We all then met up for a picnic in the park with people from Communitas. Various activities took place and everyone had a great time! After Central Park, some team members decided to venture to Time Square to do some souvenir shopping!

Day 8 was our departure day! The team took a tour of NBC Studios and enjoyed their last lunch together as a team before heading to LaGuardia Airport. The team arrived back in MI safe and sound Saturday evening around 9pm!

The team would like to thank everyone for all the prayers and support. This mission trip would not have been nearly as successful without all of you! We especially want to thank the people of NYC and all the places that we were blessed to be able to serve at for welcoming us with open arms. A special special special thank you goes out to Communitas!!

Pictures will be uploaded very shortly! We can not wait to share all of our pictures with all of you.

Keep checking!!

The team was extremely busy while in NYC. We unfortunetly couldn't find time near the end to update our blog. Please keep checking back for more updates, pictures, and videos!!!

We love you and thanks for all the prayers!

Team 1 at New York Rescue Mission with some of our new friends!!

Day 5!

Once again, both teams got a fairly early start this morning! Team 2 had to be ready at 5:30am and Team 1 had to be ready by 7:30am. We all feel so blessed to be able to be the hands and feet of God in NYC!

Team 2 started their morning really early! They headed right to St. Pauls. After St. Pauls, the team went to Encore Senior Center. While at Enocre, they served the people of NYC by doing Meals on Heels. After a busy afternoon at Encore, the team went to Good Companions. Team 2 had previously served at St. Pauls and Good Companions. Team 2 truly enjoyed talking to old friends at the two places that they have previously served at. Team 2 had a very busy day! Team 2 rounded out their night at the Mayes' Communitas Community Group. The team enjoyed hearing the stories of many individuals who regualry attend the Community Group.



Team 1 started their day off at Yorkville Common Pantry. Yorkville offers several services to the people of NYC. Most of the team worked on preparing the food pantry, which is open to the people of NYC on Thursdays! The team had a great time working at the pantry. Our team enjoyed conversing with other people who were serving along sideus. It was great to learn about others who have the same passion as we do to serve the people of NYC. Team 1 then headed to the New York City Rescue Mission. The New York City Rescue Mission is amazing! They provide two meals a day to men who come in off of the street. They also have a recovery program where they house and provide three meals a day to residence. The New York City Rescue Mission even has a shelter! While at the Rescue Mission, we found out some very exciting news. The Rescue Mission is adding on three floors and opening up their services to women. While at the New York Rescue Mission, we were very touched by two individuals. One man was a resident and the other was a volunteer. Both men witnessed the horrific events of Spetember 11th. One man was a volunteer fire fighter and the other man worked in one of the tours. These two men told us their stories and expressed how they will never forget the things that they say that day. They will forever be effected by the events. We ask for you to keep them in your prayers. Team 1 then enjoyed a relaxing evening!

We appreciate all the continued thoughts and encouragements. Please continue to keep our health and safety, along with the people of NYC in your prayers!

Team 1 at Holy Apostle

Team 2 at St. Paul

Day 4

Team two woke up very early and not so bright, as it was still dark at 5:30 am while heading out to serve at St. Paul's House today. They served breakfast and handed out clothing to the many people that came through during the morning. While handing out clothing, a young man named Rudy came in asking for a sport coat to wear to a job interview, in hopes of turning his life around. Craig, the leader of team two helped Rudy out and found a suit and even told him how to tie a tie in a very professional way.

While team two was already getting their day started, team one was able to get a little more sleep. They went to Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen to serve lunch to the homeless. Everyone had different jobs, some were serving food, filling cups of lemonade, or cleaning off trays of food. After all was said and done, we had given out over 1,200 meals. Once we were done, we headed off to little Italy for lunch and had a break to sit down and rest our feet. But all too soon we were walking again to our next destination, which was Good Companions. Good companions is a place for seniors in the city to come and socialize. Music was being played, dinner was being served, and everyone was having an awesome time. A few people from the team even started dancing with the senior citizens!

After, we took the subway and met with team two for dinner. We ate at a small Italian restaurant before ending the night with some worship music, which was much needed after a very hectic day.

P.S- We would ALL love it if our readers would continue to pray for our swollen ankles and knees, and other health conditions that a few of us have encountered since being here.

Carter Burden Luncheon Club- Meals on Heels

St. Paul's House - Rocking the Kitchen

Day 3 Shining His Light

Today was our first day out as Teams to Share the Lords light by serving the people of NYC.

Team 1 Headed out a little earlier today, heading over to St.Paul House. Here we worked side by side with some amazing people to help cook and serve a warm meal for the hungry people of NYC. Bellies and hearts were filled as we locked arms with the interns who live in this house and open their home every morning for a Message and a Meal. The dedication to the Lord of these people is so humbling!

From there Team 1 headed over to the Carter Burden Luecheon Club, which provides a hot lunch to those seniors who can make it to the center. For those who are homebound, a volunteer ( today that was us) takes these warm meals to their homes. It filled our hearts to be able to share a smile and bring food to those in need.

After a recharge, we headed over to the Alexander's apartment to meet with their small group. Here members of Communitas meet every Monday to be in the word together. It was amazing to see the church Paul speaks of in Acts, being lived out in the lives of these people. We heard amazing testimony to the power of listening to God and being obedient to His call stretched these individulas and continues to draw them closer to the Lord.

Team 2 Headed out to the Holy Apostle Soup Kitchen ( after getting back on track- those Subways can be a bit confusing) they were able to feed over 800 people with enough food to feed over 1,200. People were able to get 2 helpings and really fuel themselves for the day. Those in the kitchen really got a workout scooping up this amazing amount of food!

They were then off to Good Companions/Henry Street Settlement where they were able to lock hearts and hear stories with the elderly. The gratefulness and thankfullness of these people was overwhelming to Team 2.

The Teams gathered back together for some friendly awards of appreciation as we grow closer to each other on the trip. When they come back ask them if they have any awards they would care to share with you?

Thanks for loving us and praying for the Team and the people of NYC!!

Day 2 taking Communion

Day 1 Devotional

Day 2. Really?

Wow, it's hard to believe that it is only day two!

We started off the day bright and early helping Communitas set up for their Sunday gathering. They use their gathering to celebrate and share the way that they have been the church in NYC. Craig Mayes' message really hit home as he spoke about serving widows and orphans. A great way to share God's love is to bring love to widows and orphans. We need to bring a piece of God's kingdom to earth, "on Earth as it is in heaven".

We then tackled the Brooklyn Bridge. We ended the night at a Communitas roof top barbeque. Communitas meets monthly on a roof top to share Christ with the people of NYC by centering on building relationships.

We hope that everyone had a blessed Father's Day!

Please continue to pray for us.

Team NYC has arrived!

Hello all!!
Team NYC has arrived in NYC and hit the streets bright and early!! It has been incredible to see such great contrast from skyscrapers to huge parks. Most of us were up and raring to go at 3am yesterday what a day moving and grooving until Midnight!!
We all met up with some people from Communitas, Craig and Chris Mayes, Tim Kelly ,Dave and Michelle Alexander(their daughter Sarah even came along for the stroller ride), and Maggie Durkee. We broke up into Teams to experience the city and get our barings!! Eyes and hearts were open to the 97% of the population who do not have a relationship with the Lord. There is an a lot of hustle, so a friendly smile and a little conversation have been amazing to see joy come to people faces as we share the love of Jesus through our smiles.


We are having a bit of trouble with the computer, but pictures will be coming soon!!

Keep us and the People of New York in your prayers!!

The Count Down Begins!

It's almost time for Team NYC to get on the plane and head to NYC to shine the light of Jesus! As we gear up, excitement is running high, along with a touch of anxiety :) Please lift us up in prayer as this time before we leave has many of us in need of peace of mind and healthy bodies!! WE have faith in Jesus that gives us our strength and peace. Needing His strength, I went to His word and had a wonderful sense of peace knowing that those who have gone before, sharing his word and light have felt these same feelings and attacks that we are encountering. Check it out and be encouraged too :)

2 Corinthians 4:8-18
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Team Building Day

Click on the photo of our team to see pictures from our team building day!

Bill Toth

Hi, I'm Bill ; my wife and I have been going to Kensington for about five years now. We became fulfledged members two years ago, I serve on the set up crew and also on the security team at Clinton Twp. Together, we decided that after many years that God has blessed us we should do something special . The mission trip idea became reality for us . The team looks like a great bunch of people who I'm sure will do a great job and also become a new circle of close friends.

Karen Toth

Hi, I'm Karen Toth and I've been attending Kensington Clinton Twp for four years now and serve on morning coffee team. I'm very excited and a little nervous about our New York mission trip. With careful thought, I figured how could I go wrong with God as my pilot guiding and directing me on my new journey, doing His will.

Pat Lange

Hi – I’m Pat Lange and I have the fabulous distinction of being the oldest intern at Kensington. My internship is in the area of family ministry -- and I can tell you there is no greater family to be a part of then the Kensington family! It took me a while to “take the hint” but God has placed me on this path to help families grow in their relationship and discipleship with His Son. After all these years, I am finally learning to simply turn myself over to His will and what great relief and joy that brings. I am so excited for what’s ahead!
From the beginning of Communitas, I knew that I wanted to go to NYC at some point to serve. This is my first mission trip and I am charged up for the adventure. I’m especially happy to be sharing this experience with, Craig, my wonderful husband of 36 years.
Now, I will tell you that I am a bit concerned about the 10 miles of walking we are supposedly going to do each day. But, I trust God and I know that He will not give me more than I can handle. Besides, isn’t that why He invented taxis???

Craig Lange

Mission trip! Manhattan?? I thought “mission trips” were to the Congo, or the deepest reaches of Ecuador--- not New York City! I also thought “mission trips” were about proselytizing- going door to door with a Bible in your hand, declaring the Way to Salvation!
St. Francis of Assisi, however, asserted that we should “always preach the Gospel and when necessary use words. That’s what this awesome group of KCC volunteers and I intend to do this June. There are over 36,000 homeless in NYC according to recent stats. It is our prayer to be able to show love and give them hope during our time in Manhattan. We seek to serve.
I look forward also to locking arms with a courageous group from KCC, including teaching pastor Craig Mayes, who followed God’s call and relocated to Manhattan to build the Kingdom through a church they call Communitas- community with a mission.
I am encouraged that this trip will be many things! Keep in touch as we experience Jesus through service in NYC!

Alex Kaszuba

Hello! I'm Alex Kaszuba! Words can not even describe how excited I am to not only be in the presence of God, but experience this chance to get to know some amazing people. I know this trip will be a life changing experience. I hope to become closer to God, as well as myself.I truly know that God has a plan for each of us on this journey, and I pray that through patience, prayer and guidance He will show me the way. This will be my first missions trip and I absolutley can not wait to see what is in store!

Angela Baker

Hi, I'm Angela Baker and I live in Troy. I've been attending Kensington for a long time, but really made it my "home church" about 5 years ago. I enjoy serving in Kensington Kids, and especially being a "special buddy" to kids who are "differently abled". I have always enjoyed serving people and began mission trips when I was in high school. I enjoy serving a group of homeless people at Second and Selden in Detroit. I am looking forward to the trip to New York and am excited to see how God is going to us me.

AshLee Hansinger

Hi, I’m AshLee Hansinger. I am extremely excited to be apart of the Kensington team that gets to travel to New York in order to serve the people of the city through God’s grace. I have been blessed with an amazing team of individuals and I know that we will achieve wonderful things. I have a passion for helping others. Not only will this trip allow me to showcase my passion, but this trip will also serve as another step on my spiritual journey. God Bless!!

Gerald Baker

Maranatha "The Lord Cometh"
My name is Gerald Baker. I'm 45 years old and live in Troy, Mi. My interests are biking, softball, volleyball and chess. I grew up in the church, but didn't recognize God's hand in my life until I met Him in 2008 through a Christian Discipleship program. After completing the program, I became known as the "2009 Model" to my wife and family. God is in the restoration business. I didn't know God, but he knew what I needed - God is faithful! He continues to keep his hand on me. New York is an invitation and a golden opportunity to witness and continue to testify of God's goodness and the hope that awaits salvation.

Eileen Krauskoff

Hi, I am Eileen Krauskoff, I have been going to Kensington for a year and a half. Since joining Kensington, so many wonderful things have happened in my life. I have meet some of the most incredible people that I will have a life long friendship with. And that's what I hope to gain from our NYC mission trip, more everlasting friendships and experience's that will be with me the rest of my life. It's so exciting to see what God has planned for our group as we prepare to serve in NYC.

Laurie Piekarski

Hi, my name is Laurie and I am SO thrilled about our upcoming trip!! I began attending Kensington just a few short months ago when I realized there was something missing in my life. Within the first 5 minutes of the first service I attended, I knew Kensington was meant to be my new church home! When I came across this serving trip to NYC, I couldn’t pass up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! This is something I’ve always wanted to do! I feel SO privileged that God has not only given me the ability to help others that are in need, but that I am in fact using this gift given to me! I cannot wait to be one of God’s workers and share His love! We have an AWESOME team and look forward to sharing our experience with you!

Alex Calder

Hi--I’m Alex Calder and I’m leading this team to NYC. I’ve been on staff at Kensington for 4+ years and I am already working my “dream job”. I couldn’t think of a better team to partnering with for this adventure. I know God has gone before us and I couldn’t be more excited! This is my 3rd trip to NYC with Kensington and we have a full week in-store! The itinerary is done; the team is formed; prayers are being lifted up; we just need to take-off. Thanks for checking in with us as we prepare and especially as we update our blog daily while we’re on the ground in The Big Apple!

Christine Kilbride

I've been to NYC several times, but this will be my first mission trip and I couldn't be more excited to see what God has in store. I am looking forward to being part of spreading the message of God's love! The past year and half has a been a roller coaster but I without Him I would not be where I am. I pray that He gives me the courage to step forward and grow a stronger relationship with Him.

Sherry Richter

I would have preferred to be the senior "advisor" on the team and not the senior "member", but. . . !! I have 2 married children and 3 grandchildren- all GREAT!! I love helping and serving and pray that all of us will make an impact for God's kingdom in NYC and beyond.

Deb Greenwold

Sometimes people come into your life and you just know right away that they were meant to be there.. to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help you figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be when you lock eyes with them, but you know that they will affect your life in some profound way.
Author unknown

This is my first mission trip and I look forward to sharing my faith with the people of New York City. I see this trip as an opportunity to grow personally and share God’s word with others. I’m looking forward to “locking eyes” with as many people as I can.

Dave Krauskoff

Dave Krauskoff. I have been attending Kensington for 17 months. My wife Eileen and I were baptized in Aug. 09. Since making the choice to follow Christ our lives have been truly blessed. My business has managed to stay alive, our marriage has never been better and we have so many new wonderful friendships. I am a member of the Field and Stream Team and we are currently raising funds to put a well in Kenya. Eileen and I have been to NY a couple of times and really love it. I love God and cant wait to see what he has in store for me next.

Jodi Rowe

Hi, I am Jodi Rowe and I am on a journey to experience New York as never before. I have been attending Kensington Community Church for about 2 and half years. God is stretching me in ways I did not think was possible. With God, however, all things are possible and I am going to live that out the week we are in New York. We have a great team of dedicated people willing to serve in whatever capacity God directs. I am trusting God to direct our paths as we journey together.

Tracie Ramesbottom

Hi, I am Tracie Ramesbottom and I am so excited for our up coming trip to New York. I have been attending Kensington for about 2 and a half years. I was baptised in August of 2009 and have been "all in" regarding my walk with God. He constantly blows me away everyday! It is so hard to put into words the transformation that has taken place in me as I have trusted in the Lord. Heading to New York is the next leap of faith that God has in store for me and I can't wait to share His love with the people of New York!

Want to learn more about our trip?

Check out the section of the Kensington Community Church website that is dedicated to our trip!

http://kensingtonchurch.org/global/missiontripsdetail.php?id=5

God Bless!