Summer Staff: working with and discipling the next generation

Each year we select a group of young people (16 yrs. and older) to become part of our Summer Staff. We believe our Summer Staff program is one way for Mission Emanuel to live out our mission to incorporate discipleship into cross-cultural ministry. Lord-willing, these weeks of service will lead to a lifetime of transformation into the image of Christ. Many times, staff members repeat for a second year and occasionally, we have leaders that rise from their second term that become a Summer Staff Leader. This year, that leader was John Babcock (Winston-Salem, NC) who did a tremendous job helping the flow of our weekly projects go smoothly. Cindy Sweeney led their morning devotions on the Fruit of the Spirit, the evening debriefing & prayer time.

Each day, the Summer Staff comes alongside the groups that come to do construction projects, children’s ministry, medical clinics, etc. Wherever they are needed is where they are, making sure groups have all they need (encouragement, a smile and maybe a song along with a cup of cold water) and assist in the construction as well. It makes for long days weeks on end.

Perhaps the best part of Summer Staff is the times spent in devotions around God’s Word and the extended times of worship! Parker Fluke and Hannah Rose Cash led worship each evening after a time of reflecting on the day and how our morning devotion (based on the Fruit of the Spirit) challenged us. Everyday these young staffers proved Who was in them by displaying the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control by extending His grace as well, to group participants and each other.

We believe all who came on these trips to serve with us in the Dominican Republic this Spring and Summer were blessed along with those whom we served! Only heaven knows the impact this will have made. These are things we add to the foundation of Christ in us…He is doing a great work and is far from finished…in the Dominican Republic and in each of us.