Youth Mission u is a mission camp for youth in grades 6-12. Youth stay in dorms at  California University of PA, participate in various hands-on mission projects in the California area, learn, experience innovative intergenerational worship and have fun. 

Middle and high school youth do a variety of hands-on projects, including building ramps to make homes accessible and helping with summer feeding programs for children. All youth will participate in a different mission project each day.  

Mission u Deans

The Rev. Rick Nelson and Rev. Anais Hussian will be co-leaders of Youth Mission u. 

Rev. Anais Hussian was ordained as a deacon and full clergy member of the Western PA Annual Conference in 2019. Deacons are called to a ministry of word, service, compassion, and justice and Anais currently serves as the Mentor Coordinator with the Foundation of HOPE.  She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and her Master of Divinity from Claremont School of Theology.

Anais has served in both local church and community ministry.  She has a great passion for social justice, and has provided leadership as the Youth Dean at Mission u since 2015. Anais celebrates that every moment is an opportunity for growth, and is looking forward to the ways that youth will learn and grow together at Mission u this year. 



Rev. Rick Nelson has been a United Methodist Minister for 33 years, having served churches in Virginia and PA. He served as the Disaster Response Coordinator for the Western PA Conference from 1997-2006 & 2009-2013. From 2006-2008 he worked with the United Methodist Committee on Relief - Katrina Aid Today program. Rick served as one of the deans for  the Youth Mission U program from 2010 – 2014.

Rick, his wife Barbara and their daughter April currently live in Brookville, PA where he serves as Senior Pastor of the Good Shepherd UM Parish.