Jesse Penna | EFC-MAYM, Director of Student and Young Adult Ministries
I want to begin with a prayer: “God, please raise up and send out workers into your harvest field. We know the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few. We know that churches, businesses, schools, mission fields all need more workers. May you help us in EFC-MAYM do our part in raising up and sending out workers. And may we be willing to be sent out as you commission us to go into our homes, into our workplaces, and into the world as your servants.” May it be so….
Recently, I had my first discussion with an EFC-MAYM pastor to ask a few questions: “How is your church currently developing “emerging leaders”? Whose idea was it to put an internship line into your budget? How were you formed as a leader in your younger years? I would love to ask you these same questions – lets schedule a time and connect! Regardless of your answer, I know for a fact that leadership development does not occur unless there is a relationship in tact ( either via a mentor or a group of persons ), it requires intentionality and most often there is some sort of program/opportunity/event that persons point to as formational in their development: this could be a camp, an internship, a short terms missions trip, a conference, etc.
In light of these realities, I wonder where or how we in EFC-MAYM can celebrate and learn form one another in ways that we are succeeding in leadership development? At the same time, I continue to ask how we can do better in the arena of leadership development? As I mentioned in my last article, I would love to chat! Until then, please know that our upcoming student ministry opportunities are places and ways that you can deepen a relationship with a younger emerging leader and/or be intentional in sending them to participate in the following two opportunities:
- Counseling at summer camp – this may be one of the best ways to encourage an emerging leader to be thrown into an opportunity to serve in ministry. Who in your church has never counseled before? Who might you send to serve your/our students at camp this summer? Registration for camp will open April 1. Until then, may you prayerfully consider coming yourself or sending someone to fill one of the following roles:
Primary Counselor | Assigned 10-12 campers in a cabin. Responsible for directing the campers through the program and giving oversight to them throughout camp. The Primary Counselor may also be asked to teach an initiative activity during the day. The Primary Counselor will also be in charge of nightly cabin devotions/reflections and debriefing campers through spiritual decisions they make.
Assistant Counselor | (age 18 or over/at least 1 year prior experience). Assists the Primary Counselor in all cabin responsibilities as stated above. Must be willing to maintain an attitude of learning and servanthood to the Primary Counselor and Cabin group each day.
Apprentice Counselor (A.C.) | A 16-18 year old or first year counselor who wants to learn what it means to be a counselor.
Counselor in Training (CIT) | To provide intentional time, space, and experience for students to learn what it means to be a Counselor and to Counsel at Kids Camp and Junior High Camp. This will be done through a 24-hour training before the camp where the student is counseling and will provide an opportunity to counsel at camp with other counselors along with extra time to process what you are learning as you counsel during camp. CIT’s are required to be at camp a day before camp starts.
- Saltshaker to Texas – for the first time ever, we are sending a short term team to serve in EFC MAYM as opposed to overseas. We plan to spend part of our time with Living Friends in Dallas/Ft. Worth area, and then time in Houston area particularly serving Come and See Friends Church in Texas City. Do you have a young person who is ready to serve in ministry who would benefit from participating in this short term missions’ opportunity? If so, please encourage them to apply at the following link: Saltshaker
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