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Navajo Mission Trip (Arizona)
Our team recently returned from a short-term missions trip to Arizona, serving alongside local partners on the Navajo Nation!
We helped run a Vacation Bible School (VBS) for local kids in partnership with Hidden Springs Bible Church. The team stepped into the week eager to share God's love. What we found was a resilient, faith-filled community working to thrive. It was a week packed with laughter, deep connection, and moments that left a lasting mark on everyone involved.
Our interns shared their thoughts from the trip:
"The Navajo trip was an amazing experience for me. It was awesome to see the children's love for us and to be such a light to them. The VBS we ran was very successful, and I can't wait to go back!" — Adam Spronk
"The Arizona trip was definitely the highlight of my summer. It was amazing to see so many of my friends and visit my old home. I loved bonding with the group over the 12 days we were there. Working with the team helped me understand how God uses each of our gifts to bring Him glory. Through the trip, I had the amazing opportunity to intern with Productive Lives. This was very unexpected, but it ultimately showed me God's perfect timing. Reflecting on the trip after returning from Arizona made me realize that I definitely want to continue serving in the future." — Isabella Manning
"For myself, God was working in so many different ways. For example, just putting the thought of coming back to Philly with the group and to join Productive Lives, God didn’t just give that exact thought to me, but to Pastor Manning, his daughter Isabella, Pastor Joe, Don and Cam. God had everything lined up so perfectly, you could literally see everything fall into place. Coming to Philly, it was the best decision I had made, because I’ve already seen so much growth in my spiritual journey and within myself. I am so beyond grateful for that and I cannot wait to see what he has planned for me next." — Reohnna Reed
Thank you to everyone who prayed for, supported, and cheered on our team throughout this journey. The seeds planted in Arizona are already bearing fruit and we plan to return soon!
New Interns
We are thrilled to welcome three incredible interns to the Productive Lives family through our Converge Program!
Converge is our hands-on leadership and urban missions program designed to equip, stretch, and empower emerging leaders. Through hands-on service in Kensington, spiritual mentorship, and active community outreach—from food distribution to youth clubs and street ministry—Converge provides interns with real-world experience to deepen their faith and discern God's direction for their lives.
Meet the faces living and serving in Kensington with us:
Adam Spronk (Morrisville, PA) — A returning face who fell in love with Kensington during a week-long service trip two years ago. Guided by Mark 10:45, Adam is stepping into urban missions and hands-on leadership development to be a light in the community.
Reohnna Reed (Gap, AZ) — Coming back with us from growing up on the Reservation, Ohnna is stepping out of her comfort zone to share the gospel, grow in her faith, and discern God’s plan for her future career and education. Her journey is anchored in Philippians 4:13 as she serves in urban ministry.
Isabella Manning (Philadelphia, PA) — Excited to immerse herself in local outreach, deepen her faith, and build meaningful relationships across Kensington. Guided by Joshua 1:9, Bella brings a bold and courageous heart to serving our neighbors.
Partner with Our Interns
Our interns rely on prayer and financial support as they dedicate their time and hearts to serving Philadelphia. You can support their journey and read their full stories below:
Recently, our President, Dr. Cameron Garven, had the incredible opportunity to sit down with White House veteran Joe Watkins on his show, State of Independence, on LighthouseTV.
Cam shared the heart behind our ministry, our ongoing mission to serve the beautiful community of Kensington, and how shifting from position-based leadership to true servant living can change everything for neighborhoods under pressure.
The episode is available to stream right now on YouTube.
Podcast Spotlight:
Stories from the Navajo Nation
We are so excited to drop the first installment in a special multi-part podcast series recorded live on location during our recent missions trip to Arizona!
In this kickoff episode, we sit down with Bessie Charlie, a 76-year-old Navajo grandmother currently raising her teenage granddaughter on the reservation. What follows is a deeply moving conversation filled with warmth, faith, and unexpected stories. From her memories as a background actress in classic Hollywood Westerns at Lake Powell, to tackling traditional skinwalker folklore and reflecting on how her lifelong trust in God brings total peace.
This episode offers a heart-wrenching yet hopeful glimpse into how local families on the Navajo Nation are thriving through resilience and ministry.
What’s Next: This is just the beginning! Over the coming weeks, we’ll be featuring more powerful, first-hand interviews recorded on the ground during our Arizona mission. Check on Monday for the next story!
Catch up on all episodes here or wherever you listen to podcasts:
Enjoying the podcast? Be sure to Follow / Subscribe on Spotify and leave a review to help others find these uplifting stories!
This month, we had the incredible privilege of hosting the youth group from Riverstone Church from Yardley PA, a church that holds a deeply personal place in our hearts. Riverstone isn't just a faithful supporter of Productive Lives; but has also home church to many of our staff and volunteers. Seeing this next generation step up and serve was a true full-circle moment.
During their time in Philly, these amazing students jumped headfirst into serving our city with energy, humility, and passion. Their packed week included:
Street Outreach: Partnering with The Rock Ministries to love on and serve our local neighbors directly on the streets.
Food Distribution: Joining forces with Cornerstone Community Church to pack and share essential meals with local families.
Youth Engagement: Bringing high energy, laughter, and encouragement while jumping in with the Kids & Teen Clubs.
Cultural & Community Exploration: Visiting a local Buddhist temple to learn and engage thoughtfully with the surrounding culture, alongside plenty of fun team-building moments throughout the week.
Thank you, Riverstone Church, for your decades of partnership and for sending such an inspirational group of young leaders to serve alongside us!
Want to get your church involved? If your church or youth group would love to join us for a future community outreach day, reply to this email or hit the link below to get in touch!
Moving Mountains invites families into a deeper, dynamic prayer life where prayer is seen as a relational partnership with God rather than a static duty. Within Productive Lives, prayer is the backbone to our ministry and our daily lives. Worth a read to explore your own personal prayer life.
Prayer Requests
Rock the Block- The Rock ministries annual event, street outreach.
South Philly Food Distribution - Snyder Ave. Church, reaching refugees.
Cam speaking - Westside Baptist Church, looking to further partner with Productive Lives.
New Interns - Prayer for Adam, Reohnna, and Isabella as they continue to serve and grow with us this summer.
Ways to Come Alongside Us
Pray
For our team, the families we serve, and all that God is doing through this ministry.
Serve
Consider serving with Productive Lives. There are many opportunitiesto get involved and make a direct impact in the lives of others.
Support
Your donations support our ministry and help develop our ministry building, allowing us to continue growing and reaching more people for Christ.
