BOOT CAMP, SMALL WINS, AND A GROWING VISION

This summer, we ran a university IT boot camp with a team of four software engineers and 18 students. Over the course of the camp, students worked on AI-assisted apps and presented their final projects with top teams receiving swag from major Silicon Valley tech brands.

The two winners were an all-women’s team that built a task organizer using the Eisenhower Matrix to help users sort priorities by urgency and importance, and an all-men’s team that designed a whodunnit-style guessing game with upbeat tunes and a touch of humor that made it a hit with the audience.

Pleased by the outcome, the university invited us to return next spring to run a similar boot camp for students in their vocational track. 

Meanwhile, at our coworking space, we hosted a weekend workshop for young adults. Although it was a pilot with limited promotion, fourteen people registered, and seven completed the full program. We are reminded of Zechariah 4:10: “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.”

One participant—a pastor’s son—shared how surprised he was to hear that God cares about his career. The idea that his everyday work could be part of God’s mission was new and deeply encouraging. 

Many Muslim background believers in this country are taught that church life is sacred, and work life is secular. A good Christian serves the church. Career ambition is often seen as a distraction from spiritual devotion. For many young adults in these church communities, pursuing a career often feels like stepping outside the bounds of spiritual loyalty. Professional growth may need to take a backseat in order to remain devoted to their church family—or be pursued quietly, sometimes under the disapproval of spiritual elders.

So, when we shared that the Christian faith can—and should—integrate all of life, including the workplace, it was a new and inspiring idea for Caleb. He leaned in. He wanted to hear more.

That’s our heart behind the short-term teams: not just to share knowledge and teach skills, but to bless young people in their career development and challenge the dichotomized worldview that keeps work and worship apart. We want to help more believers understand that the workplace is a mission field—strategic, relational, and full of gospel potential.

Next on the horizon? We hope to catalyze fellowships for working young adults. Spaces where they can support one another as witnesses for Christ in their everyday work.

The steps are small, but the direction is clear. We’re planning more short-term mission opportunities in 2026, including entrepreneurship teams. In places facing underemployment and brain drain, young people want practical ways to learn business and explore self-employment. It’s about equipping them to build with purpose—and see work as part of God’s mission.