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ABOUT

Students Living A Mission

Who We Are

High School Mission Trip Nashville, Tennessee

The SLAM (Students Living A Mission) program began in 2001 as an initiative by GOD International to engage young people in hands-on mission work, rooted in biblical service and social justice. Since its inception, SLAM has provided youth with immersive experiences that connect them to global needs through service projects, spiritual growth, and cross-cultural learning. Focused on empowering the next generation, the program offers week-long mission trips, including opportunities for Nashville student missions and service projects, where students not only serve communities but also deepen their understanding of God's call to justice and compassion. SLAM has impacted thousands of students, challenging them to live missionally both locally and globally.

Our Team

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Gregg Garner

Job Title.

Worship Leader, Bible Teacher, Vision & Direction

Gregg founded Students Living A Mission in 2001 after relocating from Southern California to Nashville, TN as the premier youth program of Global Outreach Developments (GOD) International. After years of being a youth pastor, Gregg designed SLAM to foster young people’s relationship with Jesus by imitating his service to those in need. Gregg has played many roles for SLAM throughout the years, from leading worship to recruiting groups to teaching God’s Word to making funny videos to help young people understand a biblical theme. Overall, Gregg gives the program vision and direction while still serving youth.

Tennessee Mission Trip for Nashville Youth

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Mitch Buchanan

Job Title.

SLAM Cheerleader, Videographer & Late Nites Creator

Mitch was himself a “SLAM kid.” Hailing from Knoxville, TN, he was a SLAM junkie, attending SLAM weeks in Nashville, Morristown, Daytona Beach, and Hometown SLAMs in Ohio, and joining the GOD Summer Internship to East Africa. Mitch might be the biggest SLAM fan you’ve met, and is always around to make sure kids are having a good time and push them a little bit outside of their comfort zone. He’s also part of the video crew that documents and showcases every week, highlighting kids’ diverse personalities, inside jokes, and moments meeting the Lord!

Nashville Youth Mission Trip in Tenessee

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Kevin Andrews

Job Title.

SLAM Veteran, Recruiter & SLAM Week Point of Contact

As a youth pastor from Carmel, IN, Kevin found SLAM and saw the way God used the program to transform kids’ lives and help them meet with Jesus in a deeper way. After bringing student teams to SLAM for a decade, Kevin moved his family to Nashville and joined the team! Kevin serves with heart and may do anything from driving the bus to gathering supplies to make sure all the kids are having a great time! He is our main recruiter for SLAM and will get you hyped and ready for an awesome SLAM experience!

Nashville Student Missions Opportunities for youth.

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Derek Bargatze

Job Title.

SLAM Speaker 

Derek Bargatze is one of our featured speakers at SLAM and was himself a “SLAM kid” and summer intern with Global Outreach Developments. A husband, father, and elementary vice principal, and development worker, Derek understands how to connect young people with the truth of Scripture with sincerity and humor. You’ll catch him speaking, emceeing, or behind the scenes coordinating our staff and praying for your team

Tennessee Mission Trip for Nashville Youth and college students

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Jeff Sherrod

Job Title.

SLAM Speaker, Service Projects & Focus Group Coordinator

In the academic year, Jeff serves as Academic Dean at The Institute for GOD, a Bible and missions college in Nashville, TN. But in the summer, Jeff loves SLAM. He loves watching youth connect with Jesus, gain an awareness of a bigger world in need, and make friends in the process. You’ll see Jeff as one of our emcees, a featured speaker, a ministry project coordinator, or a focus group coordinator.

High School Mission Trip Nashville, Tennessee

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Corey Foster

Job Title.

Service Project Coordinator & SLAM Super Servant

Corey is a servant of all, utilizing her skills in design, tech, and logistics to help the SLAM weeks run smoothly. In the school year, Corey serves as the Headmaster of The Academy for GOD, and has a deep conviction to see kids receive excellent biblical education that is also creative, tactile, unique, and effective. Corey utilizes her logistical skills to mastermind all of your SLAM forms, coordinate service projects, run AV, and whatever else is needed.

Nashville Youth Mission opportunity in Tennessee

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Alex Castro

Job Title.

Service Week Point of Contact

Alongside Kevin, Alex will be someone groups know well and see often, keeping an eye on campus safety, project supplies, and any other needs that come up with youth groups. As a K-12 principal, Alex is well acquainted with many moving parts and we’re happy to have him on our team.

Nashville Student Missions for youth groups

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Nate Cameron

Job Title.

AV Lead & SLAM Super Servant

A “SLAM Kid” and also a pastor’s kid, Nate is often the first one to show up and the last one to leave, making sure all of our audio-visual items are in place and running smoothly, minimizing distractions so that your youth group can meet with Jesus without distraction.

Tennessee Mission Trip for youth groups and college students

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Jen Nyago

Job Title.

Hospitality Queen

Whether you see Jen or not, you’ll still be served by her somehow. By ensuring our spaces include meaningful, missional touches and that food is carefully accounted for and considered, Jen serves teams on all the hospitality fronts, and prays for you faithfully behind the scenes.

Nashville Youth Mission trip for high school students

You're Probably Wondering

Students Living a Mission Tennessee Mission Trip
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