People of Praise is a global community of more than five million members which started in the late 1960s at the University of Notre Dame as part of the Pentecostal movement or the Charismatic Renewal. In People of Praise, Christians from various denominations including Methodists, Lutherans, Roman Catholics and Pentecostals, share life, work and prayer while maintaining membership in their own congregations. Most members are lay Christians, but some are part of the ordained Roman Catholic and Lutheran clergy. Many of these members choose to make a covenant of love and service to others and God. There are currently 21 branches in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.
Academy freshman Nikaela and junior Nadia Busekrus belong to People of Praise, making contributions with their family in Hawaii and states such as Indiana and Louisiana.
“We’re not really missionaries, but we perform service like serving breakfast at the Institute for Human Services in town, volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House and helping out older members of the community,” said Nadia.
For two weeks during the summer months, the Busekrus family travels to either Indianapolis, Indiana, or Shreveport, Louisiana, to do fix-it projects in neighbors’ houses, run a summer-long day camp for their kids or go from house to house to offer to pray with people. The Busekrus family is currently in the process of buying more houses in Indianapolis and Shreveport to be a part of the community where everyone can go, feel safe, and also have fun.
“I think that the way the people there are living, how eager they are to help the people around them, and how on-fire they are for God as awesome witnesses to the neighborhood is changing the lives of the neighbors,” said Nadia.
Teens and adults from most branches participate in these summer service trips in a group called Action, a part of People of Praise.
“Everyone I have met in Action is super excited to help others and pumped up to share God with the people they meet. Younger teens can get a taste of what the summer trips are like by going to a People of Praise camp in New York for a week of small projects on the campgrounds,” said Nadia.
“We also bring it back to our communities by having monthly youth group meetings where we try to just build friendships and encourage each other. I love having it as a place to grow even closer to my friends and getting to grow closer to God together,” said Nikaela.
Nikaela and Nadia’s parents joined People of Praise when they were in college and their children have been members since birth.
“Growing up in such a loving environment around people who are really dedicated to glorifying god has influenced me to want to be part of that kind of work too. I have seen God doing so many awesome things and working in peoples’ lives, and so I want to continue to experience that and help with!” said Nadia.
Through these service projects, the Busekrus sisters have made lifelong friends and memories.
“Last year I went to camp in New York and we worked on building a campfire area near the girls’ cabins. Everyone there is friendly and has a positive attitude, so the time flew by. On the last day of the camp we got to have a fire and s’mores at the fire pit we built. It was really rewarding to see our finished work and enjoy it with my friends,” said Nadia.
“I think the best part of it is being around really kind, loving people and working side by side with them. Serving together is memorable no matter what we’re doing-cleaning houses, running kids’ camps or doing other things. I also want to travel and see more of how God is changing people’s lives,” said Nikaela.
