Build relationships. Live on mission. Relocate. Develop Leaders. Empowerment.

These “buzz words,” along with many others, are discussed everyday in the Mission: St. Louis office. When I started working with Mission: St. Louis, I expected that this organization would be like so many others in which I had worked. Those organizations were vocal about their values but failed to live them out on a daily basis. This is not the case at Mission: St. Louis. Here, each volunteer is taught the foundation of these beliefs and every program is built around these values. Beyond programming and events, I have seen members of the Mission: St. Louis staff and volunteers living out what they teach.

During my time with Mission: St. Louis, I have learned a lot about the importance of living on mission. Before, I had never considered that my high level of volunteerism, a desire to work with disadvantaged populations, and my religious understandings fell short of what it means to live missionally. My life mirrored the organizations I worked in, vocal about values but not fully living them.

In the past, my efforts amounted to Band-Aids on a problem. I feel blessed to have connected with Mission: St. Louis. Now, I am learning to treat the injury: to understand the desires of a neighborhood as well as assess neighborhood needs and strengths and build relationships with members of the community. Living on mission is life-changing. I encourage everyone to evaluate your daily activities: Are you living on mission? If you’re not, what changes would bring you closer?