Twelve students in Selma from different church youth groups, along with chaperones, are going to be headed out to Northern Ireland for a mission trip March 17-24.

But before they go, they are having a pancake breakfast to raise money for the trip.

The breakfast is $5 and will be from 8-10 a.m. at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church.

Cornerstone pastor Steve Burton said he is looking forward to the trip and the experiences that the students will have.

“They’re going to be sharing the experience of being in the home of the northern Irish families. They’re going to get to experience their food and their home routines. They’re just going to get a feel of what family life in Northern Ireland looks and feels like,” Burton said. “This is one of the highlights of life for me getting to do this with young folks. Particularly with this group of kids.”

Burton said this mission trip is exciting for him, because a variety of students are getting to go.

“Kids from both sides of our community are going to get to share time together in a different culture while working together on a shared ministry,” Burton said. “They’re going to be exposed to a framework and a very intentional effort at community reconciliation that I think can help bolster their since of what reconciliation can look like in our own community.”

Sarah Mitchell Wagoner, a junior at Morgan Academy, said she is ready to see what life is like in Ireland.

“I’m really excited. I’ve never been out of the country before and I think it’s just going to be a cool experience to go out and do something from our town and take it all the way over to another continent and experience their life over there,” Wagoner said. “I’m really excited to just experience their life for a week. It’s just going to be a fun experience for all of us. I hope to gain more of an understanding of other people’s cultures, including the Irish kids and the kids of Selma.”

Anna Williard, a junior at Morgan, said she too is looking forward to the trip.

“I’m beyond excited and it’s going to be an awesome experience and I just can’t wait,” Williard said. “I think I’m definitely going to benefit from going out there and spreading the love of Jesus and bring it back to Selma and not only spread God’s love there, but bring it back here.”