In addition to our year-round staffers, this summer we have 5 additional leaders joining us. Each one was carefully selected and we are excited for the wide array of gifts and talents each one of them brings to our team. I took some time to sit down with each one and ask them about how they found out about EY2S and why they are here.
Note: These interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.
Andrew (From Colombia International University)
How did you find out about EY2S?
At CIU, they had World Christian Week (click here to learn more) and I was approached by Jeff and I learned about EY2S.
What made you want to become an EY2S summer leader?
I love dealing with youth, I love teaching them, and I love being around youth. Talking with Jeff and Sam, it was just so awesome that they are empowering the youth to do all of it. That is what we need today, to minister to the youth and to teach them how to live life as a Christian.
What made EY2S different from other summer plans you were looking at? ie: What made us stand out to you?
So, I could have just continued to work my full-time job, but I wanted to do something in full-time ministry. I also looked at a camp, because I love doing adventure stuff, but serving is where I shine. I just love seeing the love you guys at EY2S have to serve the people, serve the community, and helping the youth see how much value there is in serving. I want to incorporate that into my future somehow.
Kat (From Colombia International University)
How did you find out about EY2S?
I found about EY2S at a college mission week. Somehow I got into the group having lunch with Jeff, with girls like Evelyn. There Jeff told us about EY2S.
What made you want to become an EY2S summer leader?
Well, first of all, a leadership position makes me nervous. I feel like I am not capable of being a leader. But throughout my years, God has put me in different positions as a leader’s assistant. But it was time for me to get out of my comfort zone. People have told me that hey you are good at being a leader - you need to have a leadership position. So I said, okay Lord if You want me to be a leader at EY2S, I will be a leader.
What made EY2S different from other summer plans you were looking at? ie: What made us stand out to you?
I think what really made you guys at EY2S stand out is the love that you have, especially the love that you have for God. Everything that you do, you stop and pray. And not a lot of people do that when they get in a situation. Someone would say, Hey can you pray for me? And they say: Oh yeah, we’ll pray for you, and just move right along. But you guys say: I need prayer and you guys stop and you pray. And I really love that. Everything that you guys do you are doing for the glory of God and not for yourself.
Also, the love that you have for children, especially in preparing them to be an impact for others. I feel like not many mission programs do that. I like how you guys have one church come at a time and we focus on them. We help them and are empowering them. Then, when we empower them, they go out into the inner city. We are preparing them for the future. But most of all, you are loving on them and showing them that they are loved. That is what I want to do, I want to love other people, and show the true love of God and how He works in our lives.
Evelyn (From Colombia International University)
How did you find out about EY2S?
I had a friend who came as a missionary about a year ago and she told me about how amazing her experience was so I wanted to partake in it.
What made you want to become an EY2S summer leader?
I think I want to work with inner city kids as a teacher one day, so gaining experience and being able to serve along you guys is something I am excited about.
What made EY2S different from other summer plans you were looking at? ie: What made us stand out to you?
I think seeing your heart to show these kids leadership through the gospel is the most extraordinary thing that sets you guys apart from any other internship.
Nathanael (From Colombia International University)
How did you find out about EY2S?
I was sitting at a table in the cafeteria at CIU. One of my friends, who had learned of EY2S from Sam, turned to me and told me there was this opportunity to work with kids all summer.
What made you want to become an EY2S summer leader?
Last summer I worked with kids all summer but I didn’t learn and I wasn’t challenged, except by the various circumstances. I wanted to work with a team, I wanted to grow, and I wanted to make a difference working with kids this summer. EY2S seemed like a great place to do that.
What made EY2S different from other summer plans you were looking at? ie: What made us stand out to you?
Well, honestly, I didn’t look at any other summer plans. In November, Jeff and Sam came to CIU and I got to sit down with them and hear a little bit about the ministry, and it sounded pretty cool, so I called them back in December, and I had a spot from pretty early on.
David (From Dallas/Fort Worth area)
How did you find out about EY2S?
I have been plugged in with Grace Community Church and EY2S for quite some time now. I used to go to church at GCC, back when I was in 7th and 8th grade. So I have been going on mission trips with them even when they were back attending a different missions program. I’ve gone with GCC to Memphis, Dayton, and Pauley Island and I kept coming back every summer, even after I moved away. So when they offered me this position I jumped at it; it’s an amazing opportunity
What made you want to become an EY2S summer leader?
It is an amazing opportunity to serve the Lord and to spend my summer in service to make an impact and a difference in peoples’ lives and to put my gifts to use.
What made EY2S different from other summer plans you were looking at? ie: What made us stand out to you?
At EY2S, they are not in a rush; they are not just trying to get the construction project done, they are really focused on empowering the youth, just like their name is. And they are really focused on abiding in Christ and praying without ceasing. Prayer is a part of every moment in the EY2S trips. They are really God-focused and not man-focused, and I really appreciate that.
Joining them will be Jeff, Sam, Emily, Lydia and Samantha, who are a part of our year-round staff. This year, both Sam and Lydia will be serving as site leaders here in Norfolk.
Here are some pictures and a video from our training week. We are so excited for all that God has in store for this summer from the student missionaries to those in the surrounding communities who will see God's love put on display.