Dec 10, 2025 United in Purpose

There are few things more beautiful in the life of the church than witnessing every generation come together united in the Great Commission.   

That’s exactly what I witnessed on Quiet Hour Ministries’ most recent mission trip to Peru.  

Twenty-one of us embarked on a mission trip to the Sacred Valley of Peru for 12 days to be the hands and feet of Jesus. 

We all came from different geographic parts of the United States, from Arizona, Georgia, Nebraska, Wyoming, California, Kansas, Washington, New Mexico.  

In that group we had one teen, five in their 20s, three in their 30s, one in their 40s, three in their 50s, three in their 60s, and 5 in their 70s.  

As a former youth director, I am always fascinated with intergenerational ministry, so I watched intently to see how this eclectic group would get along, worship together, and serve together in the Sacred Valley.  

Would they gravitate into clicks based on their age groups? Creating a team that lacks a single, unified mission for the Sacred Valley and instead splinters into smaller social groups while attempting to share Jesus? The answer is an emphatic “no!” This amazing team of 21 individuals from across North America, came together as one in Peru, one in purpose, one in worship, and one in mission.  

It was amazing to see the care, compassion, and love that each team member had for one another. It was truly an example of a healthy church body, united in diversity and intergenerational worship, fellowship, and service. 

They exhibited unity through worshipping together. The team met for worship every morning. We studied and prayed together.  

My room happened to be right where we ate and had our morning worship. One morning after worship, I went to my room to drop my Bible off and pick up a few things. When I stepped out of the room into the hall we had just worshipped in, there was a teen and one of the team members in their 60s praying together.  

At first, I thought the adult was praying and encouraging the teen, but rather the teen was the one encouraging and praying for the team member in their 60s! 

It was so incredibly moving to see this prime example of how intergenerational spiritual care should look. 

The team’s attentiveness to each other’s needs didn’t just stop at the spiritual. During our trip there was some walking (at a higher altitude that most weren’t accustomed to) that took place, whether climbing through the ruins of Machu Picchu, or shopping in Cusco. Someone in their 20s may have a different pace to their walk than those in their 60s or 70s. Yet, as we were walking through the streets of Cusco as a team, I witnessed that some of our younger team members stayed behind to walk with those that needed to walk slower. What a testament of care, choosing to walk together in camaraderie and support. 

The team’s willingness to succeed in our united mission continued as we were broken up into our four evangelism sites.  This means that each group had multiple generations working together. It was beautiful to see the energy and enthusiasm of the younger generations coupled with the wisdom and experience of the older generations serving together for the sharing of the gospel. 

The Peru QHM mission trip was beautiful in many ways, the beauty of the Sacred Valley, the hospitality of the communities and church members, and of course, the beauty of intergenerational team members serving together for the kingdom of God. My prayer is that this intergenerational spiritual community doesn’t just take place on a mission trip occasionally but is replicated weekly in churches across North America and the world.