When you think of college spring break, volunteering for church is not exactly the first thing to come to mind for most people.

But four students from Minnesota are volunteering their break time for some mission work in Newton County.

Katie Nunnari, Allie Krueger, Kara Kluck, and Katelyn Hauf, students in Christian education at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minn., are making the trip thanks to sponsors Kingdom Workers and Abiding Grace Lutheran Church.

They will arrive on March 5 to work with Abiding Grace members, going door-to-door to hand out information.

They are participating in a program called Travel-Canvass-Witness. It’s designed to give them experience in sharing their faith with people they’ve never met.

"I remember being a part of a TCW team in college and how that really inspired me for a lifetime of reaching out to others with the Gospel," said the Rev. Jonathan Scharf pastor of Abiding Grace, their host congregation. "I just pray that this opportunity does the same for these young ladies. And I pray that they have a little bit of fun while they’re here, too. I know the members of Abiding Grace are excited about hosting them and showing them around."

The team and church members will be out in neighborhoods to extend invitations for others to learn more about Abiding Grace and its programs.

The church is in a new sanctuary at 5500 Ga. Highway 212, a mile south of the new Denny Dobbs Park and the new library.

They will also be extending invitations for Easter4Kids, a one-day program for children, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 16.

The event will feature crafts, games and fun emphasizing the real reason we celebrate Easter.

Invitations also will be extended for Abiding Grace’s Easter Celebration Service on April 24, complete with a light luncheon and Easter egg hunt.

"We’re pretty keyed up about our Easter celebration because it is really the highpoint of the Church’s life," Scharf said. "Jesus didn’t stay dead. He rose, guaranteeing that our lives don’t end with our death here. We’ve got all the hope in the world (and then some)."