Cullen Portier writes about what a week serving in Philadelphia taught him about serving , surrendering his heart, and the people God uses to change a community.
When I first heard our church was taking a youth mission trip to Philadelphia, I was so excited. It had been a long time since we had taken a youth mission trip, so when Pastor Melody asked who was interested, I was one of the first to say yes. What I didn’t expect was how much God already had a plan for everyone involved.
Our mission team served in many ways throughout the week. We hosted a block party, led worship, and connected with families at Philadelphia International Alliance Church, meeting many people who had left their homelands and moved to Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. We also partnered with The Simple Way, which brings neighbors together by building community, supporting local needs, and creating a place where everyone can belong and thrive..
Serving alongside these community partners was a blessing because I saw how God brings people with different stories and backgrounds together for the same purpose. While spending time in Kensington (a neighborhood in Philly), I saw the hurt and pain that exists in the world. Seeing people struggling with addiction was heartbreaking, but watching The Simple Way (One of Amoveo’s Community Partners in Philly) respond with love and compassion showed me what it looks like to serve like Jesus. Jesus didn’t come to lead through power, but to serve, love, and bring people together.
That is also how I’ve come to understand the kind of help that lasts. Instead of arriving with all the answers, we came alongside people who already knew and loved their neighbors — listening first and serving where we were welcomed. It’s a reminder that how you help matters just as much as that you help.
This week also revealed areas of brokenness in my own life. God showed me that I sometimes treat people differently in public than I do with my own family, and that was something I needed to surrender. Through prayer and reflection, I realized that God doesn’t only want to restore communities, but He wants to transform lives, including mine.
For anyone reading this who feels a calling to go on a mission trip, remember that God works through unexpected ways. He works through broken people, ordinary people, and situations that seem impossible. Be willing to step out in faith and allow God to use you, because He can take your willingness and create an impact greater than you could ever imagine.
Cullen Portier served on one of our partner churches, Sugar Land Baptist’s mission trip to Philadelphia in June 2026. They served alongside one of our community partners, The Simple Way, Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia International Alliance Church to host a block party, lead worship, and walk alongside families in the community.