What People Say about CSM
"If Christians are to make an impact for the Kingdom in the 21st century, they must live out the call to be Jesus' hands and feet to the poor and needy. CSM gives young people and adults the opportunity to do just that in North America's inner-cities." Tony Campolo

Following are comments we've received from youth leaders and students who have served with CSM in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York City, Philadelphia San Francisco, Toronto, or Washington D.C. Some were written as part of the evaluations we have every CSM participant fill out; some were sent to us after the person had returned home. Hopefully, they'll give you a feel for how God can use a CSM mission and service trip to change lives (including yours!). If you have been on a trip and would like to add comments, please email us and we will post your stories on the CSM Urban Update Blog.

COMMENTS FROM STUDENTS
"I have been a Christian since I was a little girl, but it was on a Chicago CSM Missions Trip that it all became real to me--I understood that my life has been bought at a price. I want to serve Him and glorify Him in all that I do for all of my days!"

"This trip will change the way I live. I am determined to be more bold and radical in my witness for God."

"The children we worked with touched my heart. It was special to share God's love with them. I will always remember the little girl who gave me a good-bye hug and told me she loved me."

"I was really touched by the prayer tour the first night. It was awesome to have heard about the damage from the Los Angeles riots, then to actually go to those sites and pray for the people in the neighborhood."

"I believe that CSM gives ordinary people the opportunity to do extraordinary things in the lives of others. From the early hours of the morning well into the hours of the evening you are serving, serving, and serving."

"During a week with CSM, one is not just thrown into a nonprofit organization without first being educated on the needs and purposes of the organization; nor does one simply volunteer and forget about what they did."

"Our CSM host really has a heart for the Lord. I'd like to model my Christian walk after hers."

"Before I came, my friends said I was crazy to go on an inner-city mission trip when I could be at the beach drinking margaritas. Now that I've gone, I can say it's been a real blessing. I saw what life in the city is really like and how God provides for everyone."

"I learned a lot this weekend about MYSELF."

"Being from a very small, rural area I was able to view the world through a completely different window than the one I did everyday in my own community."

"My favorite experience was the street walk. I'd never "seen" the inner-city people I've heard about (prostitutes, drug addicts, etc.). They have become real people to me now, and I've learned to see them as children of God whom He loves just as much as He loves me."

"I've learned that I have a long way to go in my spiritual life because the homeless people we met this week showed more faith and knowledge of the Bible than any of us."

"Now that we're back home, life here has gotten hectic. Some of us now volunteer at the local Salvation Army soup kitchen. We have also adopted a park in the Latino section of town. We've raked the lawns, cut down the weeds, painted the basketball court, and built a swing set. After our youth meetings on Wednesday nights, several of us head to the park and talk to the local kids. Our CSM trip opened our hearts to what Jesus wants us to do--and we're doing it!"

"I think God might be calling me to the inner-city."  

COMMENTS FROM LEADERS
"In such a time as this, it's great to know that I can send my youth on a mission trip without leaving the country and still touch the world."

"The exposure our confirmands got to Chicago urban social issues and the various ministries helping to address them was outstanding. I have already sent a recommendation to our Senior Pastor that CSM retreats become a standard part of our confirmation process."

"I believe that the preparation that we put into the trip through training came out in the teens' ability to open themselves to people and really love and learn from their experiences. Our team had a goal each day: Listen to people, Love people, Learn from people. We felt like we were able to do this every day!"

"I'll never forget the Third Street Urban Prayer Breakfast - from hearing the story of a man who counted it a blessing to be homeless because it helped him to better understand his need for Jesus to hearing the spirit-filled songs and praises of men who had just spent the night on the streets. If we could just take an ounce of that energy back to our congregation, it would be revolutionary."

"Frankly, we were a little skeptical about what lay ahead. But by the end of our trip, God had brought us so much joy through our contacts with the people in the city that we didn't want to leave! What a joy it was to see my kids serving God in their own back yard."

"Much of your training material I used for a 5 week Sunday school hour series for high school students and adults. Those going on the trip were required to come, but the class was also open to others not going on the trip. It seemed to work really well."

"As a father who had both his wife and daughter with him, I was concerned about safety. The Lord opened my eyes that He is the ultimate protector. I felt completely safe for myself and my family. While we were with CSM, we did not feel threatened or any sense of danger."

"CSM delivers a big spiritual bang for the buck. Most mission trips cost a lot more and aren't nearly as effective."

"It was great to have a CSM City Host who knew where they were going, had lots of information about the city, and knew the people we were working with. A great help!"

"The CSM staff were cautious about where they took us, and I felt comfortable in every situation."

"The weekend format allowed 'uninitiated' teenagers to get a quick, first-hand glimpse of hunger and homelessness in the inner-city. In fact, our CSM trip marked the beginning of a 'new passage' for our youth group. Rather than majoring in lock-ins, parties, and after-game fellowships, missions has become a new priority. We'll be taking five mission trips this fall."

"The restaurants were definitely eye-opening and culturally empowering experiences. Good choices!"

"We have been deeply challenged to make a difference as a result of our time spent with you. I personally thank you and praise God for your staff team. We were blessed to be among you and learn from you."

COMMENTS FROM YOUTH-MINISTRY BIGWIG TYPES
"As an educator, I see the importance of not just telling students and adults about God, but having them live it out in practical ways. CSM approaches learning in this way. I support them."

Duffy Robbins, Chairman
Department of Youth Ministry
Eastern College
St. Davids, PA

"CSM blends a passion for the inner-city with a heart for the youth and families who come to serve. It's mission and service at its best."

Dann Spader, President
Sonlife Ministries
Wheaton, IL

"Missions is a key component to developing growing and effective youth and family ministry programs. CSM takes the risk out of missions with their years of urban ministry experience."

Jim Burns, President
National Institute of Youth Ministry
Dana Point, CA