How Do Teens Find Faith Service and Belonging? A Conversation with Addison Andrix
In this episode of Together 4 Good, Pastor Nate talks with Addison Andrix, Bethany’s new youth director, about the youth mission trip to San Diego. They share stories from the road, service projects, border learning, late-night conversations, and the big faith questions students carried home with them.
This is a conversation about youth ministry, compassion, privilege, community, and what happens when young people are invited to see the world with both honesty and hope.
What You’ll Learn
How Bethany youth served alongside organizations in San Diego
Why mission trips create space for honest faith conversations
How students wrestled with privilege, compassion, and justice
What the group learned at the border about complexity and empathy
Why service is not just about helping, but listening and building relationships
Chapters
00:00 Coming up on Together4Good
00:43 Meet Addison Andrix, Bethany’s new youth director
01:26 Planning a youth mission trip from college
03:05 Costco, the beach, and flexible plans
04:20 Why the phones went in a lockbox
05:45 How community formed in the van
07:11 Arriving in San Diego
08:00 Direct, indirect, and educational service projects
08:55 Serving day laborers with Border Angels
10:32 Learning that service is also about relationship
11:42 Talking about privilege and faith
14:15 Serving meals with dignity and care
15:15 Learning from murals in Barrio Logan
18:35 Feeding San Diego and packing food for families
21:25 Serving at Shira’s Closet
23:10 Father Joe’s Village and serving unhoused neighbors
26:40 Students asking how to serve in Denver
27:15 Learning at the border
30:17 Compassion, complexity, and Christian faith
33:10 Worship and communion at Friendship Park
35:37 What the mission trip changed
38:15 Students’ desire to keep serving
39:15 Gratitude for Bethany’s support
40:24 Youth-led worship invitation
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Connect with Bethany:
📍 Bethany Lutheran Church – Denver, CO
🌐 Learn more: www.bethany-denver.org