Beginnings

It's weird to think about the fact that I am less than two weeks away from finishing my third year of college. It seems like just yesterday that I was graduating and preparing to begin this phase of my life. Yet here I am, three years later, older, smarter, and more mature. I have been challenged in many areas, some welcome and some unwelcome. I have met some amazing people who have become some of my closest friends and who will stand by me no matter what. I wouldn't change any part of it.

So here I am, the last week of classes of my Junior year of college. A week and a half from officially being a senior and three and a half weeks from starting one of the biggest adventures of my life. Starting June 1st I will be living in Chambersburg, PA interning at King Street United Brethren Church. PRIME (Practical Research Immersion in Ministry Effectiveness) is the practical part of my youth ministry degree. It is a six and half month internship where I will be doing ministry. At King Street I will be working with both the Jr. High and Sr. High youth groups and learning from two great youth pastors. This is a tremendous opportunity and I have been blessed through the entire process. God has truly had a hand in this and everything has fallen into place. From finding a location, to finding housing while I am there, to raising funding, everything has worked out in a way that I could never have imagined. God is good.

I have no idea what to expect out of this time. I know that I am going to be challenged, that I am going to grow, that I am going to learn more than I can imagine, and I pray that I will be open to what God has in store that I might fully gain the most from this. For six months I will be working full time in youth ministry, learning from guys who have done it for a combined 23 years. I can only remember a few times when I have been excited and scared like this at the same time. I am moving away from everything familiar. From friends, from family, from comfort. While I know a few people out in Pennsylvania, for the most part I am on my own. I will have a place of my own. This has its benefits, but it also means I have to cook for myself, clean. I am required to work a minimum of 40 hours a week in ministry, as well as complete assignments to get course credit. It will be a tough experience, but one in which I will grow and learn more than I can imagine.

So, I thank you for reading this. For those of you who have been praying I thank you and ask that you continue to pray. For those of you who have helped, or continue to help financially I am grateful for your support. Please continue to pray for me and for my ministry. God Bless!