Be the Light: FYDC Missions 2026

Hi, everyone!

FYDC Director Ms. Mimi here, kicking off a new season in the FYDC Missions Journal. At the time of writing, we're 56 days from our departure to El Salvador. But before we go, I want to tell you a story. That's actually what this season is all about: stories. Stories that spread light and joy. Stories divinely written by the author of life. Stories that reflect the Gospel, and stories that change the world.

Around the time I started brainstorming the FYDC season, I started re-reading the Bible cover to cover. It’s a slow and daunting process, especially with two young children. Then again, so is putting together a dance company's season. At one point I was looking into stage snow for our November production, and as I browsed through materials, my husband said in a passing comment: “You should have lamp lighters. They always look cool in the snow.”

By this point in the year, I had made it to Exodus in my cover-to-cover Bible journaling. I read about when they built the tabernacle, and how the appointed priests were entrusted with the daily task of lighting and maintaining its lamps. It sat with me how the ritual underscored the consistency of worship and disciplined service to God even in darkness. Lighting the lamps reminded God’s people to live their lives in the light of His presence, and the lamps prepared the space for God to commune with them.

That’s when I made it official. There would be lamp lighters in our November production. Not just because they look cool in the snow, but because they, too, were appointed to the daily task of lighting and maintaining the lamps, just like the priests at the tabernacle. Students symbolically illuminated the stage with His light from the very first scene. They prepared the space for our audience to commune with the Lord. Throughout the season, I knew each student would dance the steps 100 times, but my hope was that they wouldn’t just go through the motions. My hope was that the lamps would remind every character that they’re tasked with demonstrating consistency in worship and disciplined service to God, even in the darkest times, fully committed to dancing in His presence.

I was still trudging through Exodus when I received an email from Amanda Dykes. (You can read Amanda’s version of this story here!) We had kept in touch since she attended one of our performances way back in 2021, and as we came out of the pandemic, she mentioned an idea for a children’s book she was dreaming up. I mentioned my hope to one day expand FYDC to include a Missions program. We agreed to pray over each other's dreams, and left it at that. As the details of the FYDC season came together last year, Amanda and I met for coffee while she was in town for a project. I told her about the successful launch and upcoming season of FYDC Missions. She reminded me about her children’s book—a book now called... “The Lamplighter.”

This spring, in addition to ministry across Colorado, 11 FYDC students will travel to El Salvador. They’ll read, dance, and distribute Amanda’s newest tale of spreading light through the magic of storytelling. As they visit schools, orphanages, and other homes and programs for underserved children, they’ll perform the gospel and demonstrate how His story is the source of our light. They’ll use the arts to share their testimonies and encourage others to do the same, just like the characters of “The Lamplighter.” They'll show that our stories allow His light to reach the darkest places, and demonstrate how the arts can bring words to life across cultures and comfort zones. Our stories, however they're told, allow us to commune with God more deeply.

Now with missions rehearsals underway, we're marching into ministry under the banner of this season's scripture:

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they might see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven."

— Matthew 5:14-16

Over the next few months, and over seven days in El Salvador, we’ll encourage the FYDC Mission Team and the individuals we encounter to embrace their role as “light of the world,” to live visible, Christ-like lives, using their good works and talent in the arts to illuminate the darkness and point others to God—Not to sit on their testimonies, but to be the Lord’s lamplighters in the world. With Amanda's books and beautiful story-starting prompts in hand, we'll transfer His light from a story to their story, and pray that the people we serve and teammates we serve alongside are empowered by the Holy Spirit to change the world.

The back cover of "The Lamplighter" features a quote from inside: “Just recall, you never know just how far a light may go…” As we prepare to embark on our second season of FYDC Missions, I’m amazed by how far His light has already spread this season—over years, over countries, and over the hearts of gospel-driven creators around the world. Just as the children of “The Lamplighter” spread warmth and light to even their grumpiest neighbors each night, I pray this season continues to magnify the magic and miraculous nature of God, working in ways we can’t even see… yet. 

What's Next:

Follow along with our season on social media (linked in full on the footer of FYDC.com), and subscribe to this journal for updates throughout the season, including first-hand accounts of ministry in motion from FYDC Missions students and leaders.

Fun Facts:

• The 2026 FYDC Mission Team is comprised of 11 students, ages 16-18.

• More than half of the team served FYDC Missions in 2024, with four joining the team for the first time this season.

• Six members of the team are seniors preparing to graduate this May.

Current Prayer Needs:

• At the time of posting, our team has reached around half of our fundraising goal for El Salvador. We pray the Lord will provide as we work to cross the financial finish line. (If anyone feels lead, donations can be made online here.)

• With 56 days before we depart, we pray for peace through thoughtful preparation, protection from illness and injury, and hearts wide open to all the Lord has in store.

• Details and logistics are coming together for other local missions in our community. We pray that everything is finalized smoothly, and that each event creates opportunity for others to hear His story and see His light.