Lutheran Campus Mission Association

Underground Servant Gatherings

What's Underground?

Lutheran Campus Mission Association's Underground Servant Gatherings are, simply, events designed to help you get a full picture of how some of the major (and ancient) components of Christian discipleship—community in the body of Christ (koinonia); witness (martyria); and service (diakonia)—work together to build up the body of Christ, individual followers of Christ, and others.

Community

When you travel to an Underground, you will become part of a small community that lives, works, plays, prays and worships together for five days. From our morning and evening "Circle" times to the meal times we share to our construction and cleanup projects to our outreach in surrounding neighborhoods, what we do, we do together—no matter the size of your group or the school you attend.

Not sure how that might work? All we can tell you is that God will surprise you at an Underground.

Witness

You have read Jesus' words at Matthew 5:14—"Let your light shine in front of people. Then they will see the good that you do and praise your Father in heaven" (God's Word translation). You will see this happen at an Underground. You will help fix up a church or a park or a community center or someone's house; you will spend time with people who live without the luxury of people to spend time with; for a week you will make a difference in the lives of neighborhood children... and their families. People will demand to know why you are doing these things without asking for anything in return (they always do).

And people will praise God. Come and see for yourself.

Service

As we mention above, Undergrounders serve people: congregations (and groups of congregations) and campus ministries; individuals who need a hand up; people who attend senior centers and adult day care centers; the children and families in neighborhoods surrounding our Underground home base... you get the idea. If what we do can make life a little better or a little easier, or if what we do can increase a ministry's ability to share the love of God with its neighbors, then we're determined to do it. No questions, no expectations.

Well, there is one expectation: we will try as best we can to build an authentic relationship with the people we serve. Jesus did that; all we're doing is following His example.

Spirit-driven

Many of our Undergrounders have been on mission service trips before, but one aspect of Underground takes some people by surprise: an intentional reliance on the Holy Spirit to lead our group and show us opportunities to serve. Parts of the daily schedule are fluid on purpose—which takes some getting-used-to. Our advice: be ready to learn how to put yourself in the hands of the Holy Spirit.

Not only is it part of the adventure—it's an opportunity to experience the power and work of the third Person of our triune God. There's no way to get a handle on this before you show up, but for a hint of it, we suggest you read the book of Acts prior to your trip.

Winter Underground 2013-2014: watch for info during summer 2013.