Missions Journey: Students — Dallas/Fort Worth

In this unit, students explore the story of Dexter Laureano, senior pastor and church planter of Redeemer Community Church in Crowley, Texas, and discover how God can use everyday passions to accomplish extraordinary purposes. Through pastor Dexter’s journey, students see how basketball became more than a game — it became a pathway to faith, community, and gospel impact.

From encountering Christ on the basketball court to using the sport as a bridge into the Filipino community as his sons began playing, God used basketball to open doors for relationships, in-home Bible studies, and ultimately the planting of Redeemer Community Church. Students will learn how these early gatherings grew into a thriving local church and the launch of Redeemer Sports, a ministry dedicated to serving the community through sports outreach.

The unit also highlights Redeemer Community Church’s ongoing mission, including local service, weekly teaching, small-group discipleship, and church planting in the Philippines.

Grounded in Ephesians 2:10, pastor Dexter challenges believers to recognize their God-given purpose and to faithfully use their gifts to share the gospel and advance God’s kingdom.

Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own passions, gifts, and calling — and to consider how God might use them for His mission, right where they are.

 

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Involve your teenagers in ongoing missions discipleship and empower them to discover their own roles as disciples of Jesus who live on mission. Through each unit of Missions Journey: Students, teens will meet missions personnel serving all around the world, be encouraged to grow in discipleship, and become active agents of gospel change in their own communities.

This fully-digital resource contains plans for four weekly sessions, including links to the missions videos, missions project ideas, supplemental activities, prayer activities, and a leader devotion.

This material is designed for students in grades 7–12. WMU recommends adult leaders preview all lesson and video content before sharing it with their students.

Available as a digital download only.