MINNEAPOLIS, MN (APRIL 21, 2010) – Three hundred and fifty students and youth workers from across the Northwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church converged on First Covenant Church in Minneapolis for M.O.V.E. 2010 – a weekend of teaching, worship, service and experiential learning.

This year’s theme was taken from Micah 6:8: “Act justly…walk humbly…love mercy.”

Efrem Smith, pastor of The Sanctuary Covenant Church and nominee to be superintendent of the Pacific Southwest Conference, preached during the opening worship service on Friday, April 9.

Saturday morning, youth groups fanned out to 22 different agencies and ministry sites across the Twin Cities for three hours of service, which ranged from lawn care and clean-up projects to playing with kids, restocking thrift center and distribution warehouse supply shelves, and serving at homeless shelters.

After returning to the church, students participated in a Global Lunch Experience, which was designed to illustrate the disparities of wealth and food across the globe. A small fraction of the students received a full-service, multi-course meal with fine linen and table service. Another portion of the students were served a more basic, but still filling meal at tables. Most students received a small portion of beans and rice and warm water and were seated on the floor.

Following lunch, youth groups participated in an Issues Tour where groups rotated through three presentations entitled, “The Immigrant Journey: The story and choices of a Somali refugee,” “The Culture of Poverty From a Local Perspective,” and “Sankofa: Looking Back, Looking Forward at Cultural Patterns of Discrimination.” Smith preached during the closing worship service on Saturday.

To view photos and video from the event, click here.