Central students from Storm (High School) participated in mission trips this summer that helped them build their faith and friendships.
In June 2025, 12 high school students and four leaders traveled to Cuirim House in Nogales, Mexico, where they spent the week serving, learning, and growing together. Partnering with local ministries, they worked on home repair and community projects, and shared in worship and reflection. Students experienced God’s presence in new ways, and saw the global Church at work. It was a powerful week of service, friendship, and seeing how God’s love crosses every boundary.
SUSAN GEARHART
I am at one of those crossroads in life where there is uncertainty about what is next. I enjoyed the week at Cuirim House, realizing that many people on the trip were at similar crossroads. This trip grounded my conviction even more to trust, and that true contentment comes from a life in His Kingdom. I connected most with the older women and their struggles.
LILY CLARK
Even though I’ve gone to Mexico before, this trip was very impactful. I loved creating relationships with the community over the week while improving their town as well. The town lives on so little, so spending time there always reminds me to be grateful for all that we have.
MONYAE SMALLS
Curim House is truly one of the greatest experiences that I’ve ever had in my life! I’m truly thankful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity, outside of my usual norm. We played with kids, served food, painted homes, played soccer (and lost terribly), cleaned parks, made retaining walls, and participated in daily chapel services. Before going on this trip, I had one thing in mind of why I was going, but after deep reflection, I’ve realized the strategic plan of God. After leaving this trip, I’m more understanding about what God is calling me to. Even though this was my first and may be my last Curim House due to starting Divinity School in the fall, this was a moment that will be cherished and marked as a stepping stone for my ministerial duties to come. Thank you Brian! Thank Central Presbyterian Church! Thank you Kathie! Thank you Amy for all your tireless efforts! Lastly, thank you Matt!
ANA HOGSTEN
I really enjoyed getting to play and talk with the kids! Even though we didn’t speak the same language, we were still able to laugh and have a good time! It was really impactful just seeing how much joy the people down there carry with them, and you can just feel God’s presence within the community.
WAYNE DOBSON
Cuirim is a very simple space; you don’t have to worry about the time, your phone or the opinions of those around you as these people are your family for the week. The week gives you time to focus on what’s important. Your relationship with God, yourself, the community you came with, and the community of Nogales. Serving in a way that lets you see the results of your work is very fulfilling and lets you see God in a very clear way. The simplicity also lets you appreciate more how good of a life you live. Seeing how happy the residents of Nogales are despite how much less they have teaches a good lesson in looking for the bright side and living as best you can in every moment.
BRYDON PATSCHKE
Cuirim House is such an amazing experience. While we were there, we painted two houses, mixed concrete for two retaining walls, and dug a trench to direct rainwater. Even though it can be hard work at times, I enjoyed it because I love making an impact on the community there. Each and every person has a story to tell. Playing with the kids is always something to look forward to, and spending time with them just gives you even more reason to put your all into the work. Singing together at chapel time and listening to Brian’s talks are very insightful and give you a new perspective that’s hard to find anywhere else. The entire trip is drastically eye-opening and helps you see the world in a new light while allowing you to deepen connections with friends that will last a lifetime.
MINA BRUNELLE
For me, Cuirim House was a very inspiring trip full of new experiences, interactions, and perspectives. The time we spent living among the people in Nogales with no running water or air conditioning gave me huge appreciation for the amenities that we enjoy every day. Working and interacting with the kids was truly special. Seeing the amount of joy our presence brought to the children and parents living in difficult, unhappy situations is something I will never forget and I will look forward to having this impact again next year.
ZACH NAGEL
Curium was a life changing experience. Being in a new culture and meeting new people is something that will stick with me forever. I had such a good time and I learned a lot. I can’t wait to go again next year
CAMERON TURNER
My experience in Nogales was especially enlightening. Our interactions with the community solidified my connection to God. I really enjoyed this experience and I hope everyone has the opportunity I had.
SAGE THOMAS
My favorite part about this trip is getting to talk and play with all the kids. I also really love hearing all Brian’s stories about the locals and our work sites, like how they impact the people and their kids.
ISAAC STRUBE
This Cuirim trip was very impactful for my faith and my character. I love getting to push past my comfort zone during long hot work sites, while also getting to play soccer in the street with the kids.
JOEY ACTON
I’m terrible with heat and every day felt like a struggle to get through with how hot it was and with the labor we were doing. I think God established that place to break through the conventional layers people have and give them a powerful experience. The chapel was probably one of the most powerful religious spaces I’ve been in. Physically, it felt like a sauna, but the way the songs and stories echoed through the room made me sure it couldn’t be anything in the world but God. One of the mornings, I offered to grill breakfast so the group could have something hot and fresh that wasn’t cereal, but the heat from the grill made me especially nauseous and when it came time for chapel, I don’t think I was able to lift my head. I started praying that something would break the heat cause I knew how hard the day was gonna be for me. It felt like a sad weak moment, but my only relief was that prayer. A few hours later, a monsoon came in and stopped just before Cuirim House. The clouds and rain never covered us but we got all the wind that came with it. I remember being so happy. I was giddy and jumping up and down. God had really come through for me exactly as I’d asked him to and I think I’ll always remember that.
AV SMITH
Being at Cuirim really taught me how adaptable God made us and how people are capable of finding joy regardless of their circumstances. Arriving into a completely different culture was really hard at first because I was so far out of my comfort zone, but as the week went on I realized I didn’t want to leave. Seeing how joyful the locals are, the impact our service makes on the community, and how we connected and grew as a team strengthened my faith in God and showed me how he is actively working in everyone’s lives. I can confidently say he sent us there for a reason and the trip is a valuable experience for believers.
ISAAC PITTAS
I love Cuirim house, but I think that my experience in my two trips to Cuirim can best be summarized by an old Mexican Folk Tale. There once was a very rich man living in a small village. He had a dream that on Friday the richest man in the village would die. He lived in fear until Friday for he was indeed the most wealthy man in the village. Well, Friday came and went, and the rich man did not die. The next day, a funeral was held for the rich man’s gardener. Though the rich man was wealthy in money, the gardener was the man with the richest relationship in the entire village. I think that these two trips have led me to become more like the gardener and less like the rich man.
