Singing a pop song from the British rock group Coldplay was one of the untraditional approaches the youth group from Trinity United Methodist Church devised to spread their message of love during a 12-day-long choir trip around the country this month.

On June 1, more than 50 young group members departed for Virginia and sang for people across Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York and North Carolina before returning home earlier this week.

The group sang at churches, on street corners and also at a homeless outreach center in inner city Philadelphia. They also performed rehearsed sketches, complete with characters and impromptu interactions with the audience.

Outfitted with a Captain American mask, shield and a patriotic dress, 18-year-old Tayler Critchlow played the part of superhero Captain Attitude and worked to bring “God’s love through smile power” as she danced with a crowd of kids at Cornerstone Christian Academy in Philadelphia.

“It’s an interesting way to take the media into spreading God’s message,” said Critchlow. “It’s really touching to see how excited they get when a familiar character like Captain Attitude comes to spends time with them.”

Youth choir director Caroline Ennis said the experience was an opportunity for the members to grow in themselves while compassionately uplifting others who weren’t as economically fortunate.

“The music is kind of something that relates to everyone,” said Ennis. “If we go sing in a place where people normally don’t go to church, it’s not listening to Christian music where they feel awkward and can’t sing along. It just gives them a new way to think about life through the message that we bring.”

The last leg of the summer choir tour will take the group to Gautier, Miss., on Sept. 2.