Dale Detweiler, pastor of the Shippensburg Church of the Nazarene, will be leading students from Shippensburg University on a mission trip to Puerto Rico in early 2020 after a hurricane struck the territory in 2017. 

The goal of the mission trip is to repair a damaged roof and replace the ceiling on a church in Palmas Altas, Puerto Rico. 

The reason behind the trip is to help the Palmas Altas community, while also helping Shippensburg students make connections with local residents, according to Detweiler.

Detweiler said he was excited to find out that the trip had been approved. He was also stoked to see such a great amount of interest within a few days of posting the information for the trip. 

The people of the Shippensburg Church of Nazarene and Detweiler say they are very excited to have this opportunity. Detweiler hopes to have a mission trip take place at least every spring break.

The mission trip is not only open to students, but anyone who may be interested. 

“When we go to places we are not familiar with or comfortable to help others, we learn new things about ourselves and the world in which we live,” Detweiler said. “I hope that students will see that they can make a difference in the lives of others and that they are blessed with the life they have.”

Detweiler shared advice to those who want to go on mission trips in the future and to those who may be hesitant about going.

“I have been on a couple of mission trips. Each time I come home with a new perspective on myself, life and the world in which I live. If you have the chance to go on a mission trip — do it,” Detweiler said.

The cost of the trip varies based on the housing option you choose. This can range as high as $1,300 or as low as $1,000. The church will also host fundraisers to help with the total finances of the trip.

The final date to sign up for the mission trip to Puerto Rico is Dec. 13.

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