Greater St. Joseph Young Life has had the privilege of bringing on some amazing college students as leaders over the last few years. This summer, several of our college leaders had the opportunity to serve middle school and high school students at Young Life camps all across the country! When we asked what some of their favorite parts of their Summer Staff experiences were, this is what they said:
Claire Palmer (Greater St. Joseph Wyld Life leader) - “I served as the office assistant for Castaway Club on summer staff and it was a life changing experience. God challenged me in ways I never thought possible. I learned how to be the hands and feet of Jesus to thousands of kids and spread the gospel in an energetic, fun-loving way. I also gained a wonderful new community of lifelong friends in Christ. Jesus was so evident at camp and I couldn’t wait to get back home and serve my community to love people like Jesus does.”
Scott Keegan (Savannah High School leader) - “One cool thing that happened to me while I was on summer staff at Washington Family Ranch, was just finding unreal community. Being able to share anything and not feel judged but knowing that everyone would love me no matter what was going on. It was an awesome glimpse of what heaven will be like with such a tight community. As well as we were able to celebrate together the good things that were happening at camp. Everyone was on the same page and there for one purpose to serve God and to serve kids.”
Allison Pinet (Maryville High School leader) - “I served on third session summer staff at Windy Gap! While I was at Windy gap, I was surrounded by beautiful people inside and out. I learned what it meant to have good fellowship with people my age. I learned how important it is to be intentional with others, and to share Jesus with others! I feel like I’d never had this before. During my three weeks I also had a lot of time to reflect on how the Lord has worked miracles in my life. Looking back at how all of my prayers have been answered, looking at and sharing the kind of person I used to be and loving who I am now in Christ. I fell even more in love with Him and am craving His love everyday. At Windy Gap the Lord showed me that not only do i get to live with Him now and forever, but that I get to share His love with others for as long as I live. I’m so grateful to have served this summer and now that I’m thinking about it I just want to go back!”
Claire Palmer (Greater St. Joseph Wyld Life leader) - “I served as the office assistant for Castaway Club on summer staff and it was a life changing experience. God challenged me in ways I never thought possible. I learned how to be the hands and feet of Jesus to thousands of kids and spread the gospel in an energetic, fun-loving way. I also gained a wonderful new community of lifelong friends in Christ. Jesus was so evident at camp and I couldn’t wait to get back home and serve my community to love people like Jesus does.”
Scott Keegan (Savannah High School leader) - “One cool thing that happened to me while I was on summer staff at Washington Family Ranch, was just finding unreal community. Being able to share anything and not feel judged but knowing that everyone would love me no matter what was going on. It was an awesome glimpse of what heaven will be like with such a tight community. As well as we were able to celebrate together the good things that were happening at camp. Everyone was on the same page and there for one purpose to serve God and to serve kids.”
Allison Pinet (Maryville High School leader) - “I served on third session summer staff at Windy Gap! While I was at Windy gap, I was surrounded by beautiful people inside and out. I learned what it meant to have good fellowship with people my age. I learned how important it is to be intentional with others, and to share Jesus with others! I feel like I’d never had this before. During my three weeks I also had a lot of time to reflect on how the Lord has worked miracles in my life. Looking back at how all of my prayers have been answered, looking at and sharing the kind of person I used to be and loving who I am now in Christ. I fell even more in love with Him and am craving His love everyday. At Windy Gap the Lord showed me that not only do i get to live with Him now and forever, but that I get to share His love with others for as long as I live. I’m so grateful to have served this summer and now that I’m thinking about it I just want to go back!”
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Jill Oswald (Central High School leader) - “I served on third session summer staff at Washington Family Ranch in Oregon and I worked in the snack bar! While at Washington Family Ranch I learned so much about who I am and my walk with Jesus. Before leaving for summer staff I was really doubting my identity in Christ, but Jesus crushed all of my fears and anxieties. He gave me an amazing, loving, and understanding community who believes in and supports me. I remember the weekend before we left to go back home, our interns took all of the summer staff to an old meat locker that was decorated in christmas lights and carpet pallets. We sang Holy Spirit under a star-packed sky, literally, and sat in this place for an hour, giving encouraging words to each other. While at camp, the Lord showed me that I am enough, I am wanted, and I am accepted in Him. He also showed me how to serve with humility, enthusiasm, and patience. I’m just beyond blessed that Jesus placed me at WaFaRa and I would give anything to go back!"
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Jenna Oswald (Greater St. Joseph Wyld Life leader) - “I served as an A.M. Cook at TimberWolf Lake in Michigan. At the beginning of my camp experience I had a lot of negative feelings towards my job. I knew I had to get up at 5 in the morning everyday, I was the only girl summer staffer in the kitchen until the P.M. cooks came in, and I was also going to be the dietary needs specialist for every breakfast and lunch meal; I took care of all of the gluten free, dairy free, soy free, egg free, vegan, vegetarian and allergy specific diets. I was really intimidated by my job at first, but by the end of week one, everyone in the kitchen became a family. I learned from my job just how far Young Life goes to make every kid feel special and loved and give them everything their heart desires, right down to having extra chocolate chips with their pancakes. The purpose behind the extent Young Life goes to make their meals so amazing is to show these kids the Father’s love in every way they can see while at camp. Being a cook was extremely humbling, and made me feel so used by the Lord, in such an awesome way. I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything, and can’t wait to serve again next summer!”
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As you can see, God’s been working through our leader’s this summer, and we CAN’T WAIT to see what’s in store for the rest of this year!!
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