Moving on...

Tomorrow marks the end of my internship here at Willow Creek and it's hard to walk away. This past week there a couple questions I've been asked the most. The first is "What will you miss the most about Promiseland?" and the second is "What have you learned the most about?". A third question would be, "What's next and how did you get here?"

The first answer was something I never even envisioned about the internship before coming here. My answer is "The people--the relationships I've built." I'm not sure what could be better than serving with a team of people who are passionate about reaching kids for Christ and using their gifts, talents and the way God has wired them to do so. I've seen children's ministry both ways, one person in the lead, and now with an incredible team. I love the team. It's not to say it isn't hard...there are downfalls and challenges you'll face that may not be there without the team. But even so I'd rather serve alongside people who ultimately share the same passion...watching kids grow and develop in their relationship with Christ. When it comes down to it that's what matters most. Before taking this internship I could picture what I learned about Willow...I could picture some of the ministry tasks that might be involved, but not the awesome people I'd get to know and love...they are what made this internship great.

My answer to the second question becomes much more personal for me. Most would expect me to say something great I've learned about managing a room of 200 kids and volunteers, or ways to handle challenging behaviors that kids sometimes show, or how to recruit/invite volunteers and I've certainly learned those things, but they aren't most important. Coming into this internship I struggled with the idea that I was called into children's ministry and was passionate about that, but felt like I didn't fit into the children's pastor role. I often asked God if he was sure he called me into this ministry...because the way he wired me didn't seem to fit into what I saw in a children's pastor. But despite those feelings at the end of the day all I ever wanted to do was see kids come to know him more. Basically...internally there was a huge conflict for me as I wondered how someone who was administrative, task oriented, and detail focused could fit into a ministry that was completely relational.

Through this internship I've seen the type of leadership that I'm wired for. I love the way God has wired me and can't wait to see just how he'll use that in the future. I may not be built to be the one person in charge of a children's ministry, but I am built to write/evaluate/and adapt curriculum...to use my artistic skills to develop resources that can be used to supplement and feed into what the kids will learn. Pairing that with my heart to reach the kids that are often forgotten or neglected I'd like to see more effective curriculum and programs being offered that will draw them in, because every kid deserves a chance to feel God's love. Of course I realize that those people in my life who ask if there's really a job to be a children's pastor, will now look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them I'd love be on staff on a curriculum team in a church somewhere. But what can I say...I guess God has wired me in a specialized way. But when they ask how I can find a job like that...it's a simple answer--I have no clue...but God does.

As for the third question...the only answer I can give is that God got me here, and he knows what's next and I'm cool with that. People have told me how amazing it is all that I've accomplished at such a young age, but I've never thought of things that way. God's been in the lead and I just want to follow with open hands. I'm doing what I'm passionate about and giving God the glory for what's been done. My art and my writing and any other gifts I have I'm grateful for and I couldn't imagine not plugging them in in any way I can to make impact for the kingdom.

So as I leave Willow I can't wait to see what God has in store next...but I do pray to come back here some day, if for no other reason than to see my friends who are totally sold out to reaching kids for Christ.