Jesus told us "just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."

Assist- JC

"All Souls Students in Service to Jesus Christ"

Our mission program has a two-year rhythm of domestic and international missions. Our students are required to participate in a homeland mission before serving with us in another culture. Currently our mission work is in Eastport, Maine, Ciudad Vieja, Guatemala and the Navajo Nation in Black Mesa, Arizona.

Jesus told us "just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." The idea of brotherhood and sisterhood in Christ becomes a very tangible reality as we work and worship with people in the communities we serve. As we follow Christ's commandment to show God's love in concrete ways, our own hearts and minds are transformed.

Currently, eighth graders and high school students are being invited to commit themselves to the work of personal preparation, spiritual focus, and fundraising efforts that are on-going features of our mission efforts.

Where does Assist-JC work?

Vigil Info and Permission Slips

All Souls Church, Andrea Hand Photography

Dominican Republic

A small but growing group travels to the Dominican Republic to work on construction and health care in the area of La Romana.

Colombia

The group traveling to Columbia travels under the auspices of Water for ME. They are part of our emerging “ASSIST-JC 2.0”.

Their emphasis is on water quality testing on filters in the field. The scientists and nearly all the college students are alumni of ASSIST-JC.

Eastport, Maine

In Eastport we work with GEECA (Greater Eastport Ecumenical Churches Association). They help us locate people who are in particular need of the kinds of help we can offer. We often provide home repairs to elderly citizens who do not have the funds to pay for them otherwise.

Central America

In Guatemala and in Honduras we have worked under the umbrella organization Mission Discovery located outside of Nashville, Tennessee. We build homes for people who don't have one. We provide some medical care and we lead a children’s Bible school.

Black Mesa, Arizona

In Black Mesa we have utilized the organization Experience Mission to work with Pastor JR helping to build and support a small church on a reservation.

How to Get Involved

Who can participate?

Currently eighth graders and high school students are being invited to commit themselves to the work of personal preparation, spiritual focus, and fund-raising efforts that are on-going features of our mission efforts.
Our students are required to participate in a week-long homeland mission before serving with us in another country.
Fundraising is done throughout the two-year cycle of a mission in Eastport one summer followed by the International Trip the following summer.

How Much Does it Cost?

Our church’s goal is to support this mission program by funding 1/3 of the costs through the annual budget. Participants are expected to pay 1/3 of the cost out-of-pocket by making installment payments and taking advantage of the “Workers in the Vineyard” program through which church members “hire” ASSIST-JC workers for a wide variety of projects; these monies are deposited into individual accounts within the church financial system and are tracked by the church financial secretary.

Fundraising

Travelers and their parents are also expected to provide time and energy needed to hold fundraisers for the other 1/3rd of the needed funds. Fund-raising events associated with our mission efforts have become a familiar part of the yearly rhythm around All Souls and the community. They include:

A buffet night at the Oriental Jade restaurant (approximately one half the proceeds from ticket sales comes back to us)
A church-wide indoor yard sale in mid-October
Making thousands of chocolate covered Easter eggs to sell in the community during Lent
A Lobster Stew Dinner in late winter
Year round bottle drives
Parking cars for the Outdoor Concerts in Bangor