Introducing Our Summer Staff

     This summer FPC has hired six college students to serve in our Children's and Youth Ministries. For nine weeks (June 15-August 10) they will be engaged in planning and organizing ministry events; teaching Sunday School, Youth Group, and Summer Swim Studies; serve at City Bible Adventure; and spend time having fun and building relationships with our children, youth, and FPC families. 

     They will meet weekly with our Children's and Youth Directors to pray together and discuss the book Strengthening the Soul of your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton. Our hope and prayer is that they will develop spiritually and theologically, gain practical ministry training, explore their gifts, and test whether they are being called to vocational ministry. 

     We asked them to answer a few questions to help you get to know them. What school do you currently attend? What year are you? What are you majoring in? What are you looking forward to this summer? What do you like to do for fun? How do you hope to grow spiritually? How can we be praying for you? 

     It's our privilege to introduce you to ... 

High School Summer Staff

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Danielle Reimer

  • ​​​I am a Senior Psychology major at Azusa Pacific University with a clinical concentration in counseling. 
  • This Summer I am most looking forward to meeting new people, making new friendships, becoming a part of a new faith community, and working with a new age group. In the past, most of my ministry experience has been with elementary and middle school age groups. I am excited for a change of pace and experience to work with a new age group and grow along side each individual this summer.
  • I love being outside! Some of my favorite activities are hiking, camping, rock climbing, and other outdoor recreational activities. Following the outdoors, I have a passion for photography. You will probably see me with a camera around my neck on any outdoor trip.
  • My spiritual theme for this summer is to learn more about God's grace. I consider God's grace to be one of the most influential aspects of my faith, yet I have not adequately taken the time to dive into the concept of grace and reflect on its meaning. This is my goal for the summer: to learn more about God's grace and be able to recognize the many different forms it can take. My hope is that this exploration and reflection will provide me with new understanding of God's character and take me deeper in my relationship with Christ. 
  • At this point in my life, I would greatly appreciate prayer towards my ability to trust in the Lord and lean not on my own understanding for decisions regarding my future endeavors. It is very easy for me to get caught up in planning my future despite my knowledge that my plans do not always match up to God's plans. I would love prayer for growth in my ability to trust God in every aspect of my life.

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Stephen Goodale

  • My name is Stephen Goodale, and I have grown up going to First Pres.
  • I am attending Cal Poly, SLO, and I am a third year Biomedical Engineer.
  • I am looking forward getting to know the high school youth group, having a blast with them, and learning more about who God is and what He has planned for us.
  • I like to play soccer, hike, bike, and play Ultimate Frisbee.
  • I want to trust God more, and to grow in my prayer life.
  • Please pray that I can finish the school year well, encourage the other students I lead with in InterVarsity, rest well and be ready to engage with the high school students this summer.

Jr High Summer Staff

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Trianne Harabedian

  • I am a Senior at Belhaven University with a major in Creative Writing.
  • I'm looking forward to building relationships and having fun with students.
  • For fun, I like to read and write.
  • I hope to grow spiritually by better recognizing God's work in the lives of both individuals and the church as a whole, as well as strengthening my relationship with God.
  • You can be praying that I begin this summer with an open heart and a willingness to let God speak.

 

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Shannon Muzio

  • This fall I will be entering my Sophomore year at Fresno State. I am double majoring in AG Business and Audiology. 
  • This summer I am looking forward to witnessing the growth in these students' relationships with God and with each other. Also, of course, all the fun we are going to have!
  • I live on a farm so I love to play with my goats. I also really enjoy reading, right now I've been into classical literature. 
  • I seek to grow in my relationship with God to where I can carry on a constant conversation with Him and learn to hear His voice. 
  • I would appreciate prayer for my spiritual growth. God continually shows me that I need to be reliant on Him and not attempt to be self-sufficient. Prayer for seeking God and His plans, not mine.

Elementary Summer Staff

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Lindsey Goodell

  • I currently attend Azusa Pacific University and will be a Sophomore. My major is currently undeclared.
  • This summer I am looking forward to connecting with the kids and having a super fun time with them.
  • For fun I love hanging out with my friends, watching movies, and drinking coffee.
  • This summer I hope to grow spiritually by learning to have a more childlike faith.
  • I ask for prayer that I will be a godly example to the kids and to everyone that I interact with this summer, and that God will speak through me in everything I say and do.

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Doug Durbin

  • I currently attend Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ. I am a Senior and will be graduating in December. I am also a History major with Political Science and Business minors.
  • I'm looking forward to being able to have lots of fun at Summer Swim Studies and grow in my relationships with the families at First Pres.
  • I love to hang out with friends and get some delicious wings. I am also a big outdoors person, so put me outside and I can have a good time.
  • I have had a difficult time in college with my faith and by doing this I hope to rekindle the fire to find my relationship with God.
  • This summer is going to be very busy for me as I am taking 2 online summer classes while being apart of the summer staff. If I could have prayer for clarity in my time management and also for easing of the stress that can come along with the work load.

 

Posted by

Communications

May 31, 2016