A group from Christ Community Church of Mooresville is preparing to travel thousands of miles from home next spring with a simple goal: to help and support children and staff in Ethiopia.
In the spring of 2027, at least six members of the church will travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for a weeklong mission trip to work alongside Make Your Mark Global. A couple of additional team members may also join the trip.
The relationship between Christ Community Church and Make Your Mark is not new. The church has supported the organization for 15 years and sent a mission team to Ethiopia 10 years ago.
The inspiration for this trip came after hearing Make Your Mark co-founders Trent and Carmen speak at Christ Community Church about their work in Ethiopia.
“I heard Trent and Carmen speak at our church about what they are doing in Ethiopia and felt led to go and help them,” a team member shared. “Christ Community jumped in to help make the trip happen and everyone has been super excited.”
Make Your Mark works with street children and young mothers in Ethiopia, providing safe homes where healing and restoration can begin. Its care focuses on the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs of the children. Whenever possible, the organization works to reunite children with their families. For those who cannot return home, family-style homes provide stability, love and purpose.
For the Mooresville team, the upcoming trip will be very hands-on.
Team members plan to spend time with the children, helping with schoolwork, crafts, sports and daily activities. They will also help support the Make Your Mark staff through cooking, shopping, worship and other needs.
An important part of the mission is simply giving the staff a break and reminding both the children and those caring for them that others are thinking about them.
“We want the staff and children to feel seen and loved. To know that they are not forgotten,” the team shared. “We want to help them in any way we can and give the staff a much needed break for a week.”
The team also hopes to return home with a better understanding of Make Your Mark and its work so Christ Community Church can better support the organization in the future.
Before the group can make the journey, however, there is fundraising to be done right here in Mooresville.
On September 26, Christ Community Church will hold a large yard sale to help fund the mission trip. The idea came from a desire to find a fundraiser with little upfront cost while also giving the entire church an opportunity to be involved.
Church members have responded with donations ranging from clothing, shoes and toys to small appliances, vacuum cleaners, recliners, tables, benches, baskets, a love seat, a bed and bedding, home décor and baked goods.
Organizers say there will be “a lot of everything,” with everything priced to sell.
The church hopes to raise at least $3,000 through the yard sale and donations. Every penny spent at the sale will go directly toward the mission trip because the merchandise and costs associated with the sale have already been donated.
Money raised will help pay for plane tickets to Ethiopia and help the team support Make Your Mark and its staff while they are there.
For those making the trip, having the Mooresville community behind them makes the mission even more meaningful.
“We absolutely love the Mooresville community and how much they are always willing to walk beside people and help others,” the team shared. “I love that we’re able to do this together and get the word out about beautiful things that are happening around the world. It takes a village and the Mooresville village is beautiful.”
Yard Sale & Mission Support
Yard Sale: September 26
Benefiting: Christ Community Church Ethiopia Mission Trip
Fundraising Goal: At least $3,000
Yard Sale Donations: Items are being collected from church members, so community merchandise donations are not needed.
Proceeds: 100% will go directly toward the mission trip.
Those unable to attend the yard sale can also make a tax-deductible donation to the mission trip. When donating, select “Ethiopia Trip” under the Fund option.
They can give to the Ethiopia Mission trip by clicking on the below link. Under Fund, please select “Ethiopia Trip”. All donations are fully tax deductible https://cccmooresville.churchcenter.com/giving and https://mymglobal.org/
