Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 06/16/2010 11:24 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 06/17/2010 01:13 PM
Expires: 01/01/2015 12:00 AM
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Copperopolis Receives Six Youth Missionaries for the Summer with Open Arms~by Charity Maness
What words would you use to describe a youth missionary? How about; outgoing, bright, loving, gentle, intelligent, resourceful, cool, fun, and above all trusting and faithful. Some may find these words surprising due to the sometimes misunderstood nature of missionary work, but these are but a few of the words one could use to describe the six youth missionaries that have descended upon Copperopolis for the summer as guests of the Copper Canyon Baptist Church....
Click Above for More of Kamber, Kristen, Dedie, Casey, Chase and Amanda
These youth have come from Louisiana, Mississippi, Arizona, and Georgia all with one common goal; to help Pastor Sean spread the word through youth ministry. And spread the word they will. One look at their ‘social’ calendar and it’s easy to see each hour of their days will be utilized to the fullest.
Organized through NAMB, North American Mission Board, some of the missionaries come as soujourners “Sojourners are high school students who work with missionaries and churches” serving with “other student missionaries and/or career missionaries.” Others, enrolled in college, come as summer missionaries to help “ in community ministries, ministering to teenagers” and helping Pastor Sean.
When asked when they felt the call, all reiterated an upbringing that involved a church family and the need to give back through service to people to help other people so that they could also feel the love of God. Many have worked in food pantries, boys and girls clubs, vacation bible schools, Habitat for Humanity, to name a few. Chase tells of how he doesn’t care to rake the leaves in his own yard but really enjoys helping others, hence his love for Habitat for Humanity. Kristin, has traveled to Bangkok to teach English as a second language and visit inmates wishing to pray. Though she was “not crazy” about that particular trip, when it was over, she realized that when she was out of her “comfort zone” was when “God changes me the most.”
Casey and Dedie, are return missionaries to Copper and were welcomed with the kind of love one shows for a returning family member. The others were immediately brought into the family fold and made to feel at home. “A big family.” Is what Amanda called them.
While missionaries are typically funded through some form of organization Casey went to her church, Eastwood Baptist in Haughton LA, expressing her desire to return to Copperopolis feeling a strong need to come back. Her church raised more than enough funds in less than two weeks for her missionary trip. Amanda, a 17 year old soon to be senior in high school, worked two jobs to help offset the cost of her trip. In fact, she applied, was accepted, and then told her family. Though they were proud of her, they were also worried. In the end their pride turned to support, and she is now serving our youth in Copper for two months.
Their duties, while here, include (but are not limited to) setting up church on Sundays, organizing and creating studies for the Halieus and Bella youth bible study groups, helping organize and run Vacation Bible school, working in the youth camp and child camp, volunteering at Celebrate Recovery, door to door ministry, and the list goes on. Kamber joked, “If you look at the schedule you will see there are times for us to eat and sleep too.”
While most tend to think of door to door ministry as a knock and an information packet, these youth go the extra mile asking if there is anyone in your life that you would like them to pray for. They will guide you in prayer and lift your spirits. Hopefully, if you hear a knock on your door from them, you will take the opportunity that has been handed to you to send a prayer heavenward for someone you love or someone in need.
When asked what they hope to gain from this experience the answers varied only slightly.
Kamber, 18, Winslow AZ, “To grow in my relationship with God.”
Amanda, 17, Adel, GA, “That sharing my faith with people will give me more power to go home and share my faith” with those that she has known since she was little.
Chase, 19, Meridian, MS, “Be more a man of God. Draw closer to him.”
Dedie, 20, Sulphur, LA, make “friends in Christ” because that is a “strong foundation.”
Kristen, 20, West Point, MS, “Grow and learn to depend on God more.”
Casey, 20, Haughton, LA, “To constantly be surrounded by missionary and by the presence of God.” “Hoping for direction after graduation.” Casey is majoring in psychology and will graduate next year.
Chase is being hosted by the Westberg family, both Casey and Dedie are being hosted by the Maltba family, and Kamber, Amanda, and Kristen are hosted by the Paulsen family. All are so grateful to their host families and want to express their deepest appreciation.
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