Here's a few words from our Summer Staffer's about their experiences at FPC growing closer to God through service and ministering to others. We are really grateful for their work among us.

Kingdom Kids Children's Ministry (Pre-School to 6th Grade)  

Amelia Sanders

   I was asked to share a favorite memory from the summer, and as I began to write, I realized I could not find a single one. This summer flew by so quickly, all I can remember is this beautiful chlorine, dry erase markers, coffee, gummy worms, and laughter marked blur. I remember the smiles of our children, and their profound (or straight silly) remarks. Every Wednesday night,  kids would show up and splash in the York's pool. They would also sit on the grass and struggle through their beliefs as we talked about faith. What is faith? How do we show it?
   This summer has taught me that faith is putting our lives where our hearts are. I learned that saying "I love children," and actually feeling that when they are refusing to behave, are two very separate experiences. But, I can honestly say that I love children, especially our children here at FPC. They love Jesus, and they want to follow him. It made my job a joy.
   Perhaps that is my takeaway from this summer. No matter where we come from, what size we are, what we believe about dinosaurs, or even if we prefer trucks or cars (I'm looking at you, Danny Brown), God has given all of us the capacity for great faith. As I've been teaching the kids on Wednesdays, "Abraham, Esther, and Noah were ordinary people like you and me, and because they had faith in God, they became superheroes. We can be superheroes too. We all can be in the League of Incredible Faith." We must only have faith.
   I look forward to seeing these kids grow and mold into the adults God has planned them to be, and I hope I will be able to encourage them to remember what they learned this summer. Thank you for letting me be a part of your kid's lives for these last nine weeks. I loved every second.
   And, my journey with kids does not end! My next job is as a Nanny for a five, three, and one year old. Please pray for me. Endurance would be wonderful. I am also praying over the next steps of the road toward full-time mission work. I am still seeking God's clarity. I would love to work in Southeast Asia with unreached peoples there; yet, I trust my life is in God's hands. We will see where he leads me.

IGNITE Jr. High Ministry (7th & 8th Grade)

Sheimeka Royster

   I have experienced God this summer through serving and seeing firsthand His true creation. I went on a lot of hiking trips and I saw how God handcrafted nature. I have experienced first hand what it literally means to be loved and cared for through God's people. I've also experienced the importance of self care. In the Bible it talks about how our bodies are not our own, it is a temple for the Holy Spirit. So it is important to take care of your body in every way, shape and form. Lastly, what I continue to experience in my life especially when serving his people is God's true unconditional love & grace He has for me and His people.
  I have grown a lot this summer both spiritually and in leadership. Stepping out on faith and moving from across the country was definitely fearful for me. I didn't know what I was walking into. All I knew was that God was calling me to Fresno, California. My faith & relationship with God has grown even more since being here. I have more of a spiritual hunger to run after God. God has shown me and is continuing to show me that when you believe in Him, obey His word and keep Him in the forefront at all times, He will do exactly what He has promised. I've learned that there is a time and a season for every journey in your life. I've literally seen God work in me and in other people. I've seen God make a way for me out of no way. I've seen God give me the tools that were necessary to lead the Jr. Higher's this summer. I've seen God give me the confidence & wisdom to mentor young kids and share His gospel. I've seen God use people who He trusted to bless my life. And the amazing part about all of this, is that this is ONLY the beginning. God is still molding me and growing me in both leadership and in my relationship with Him.  Can't  NO ONE tell me that my God isn't real.
   I've had a lot of funny moments and highlights, too. But one in particular I would like to share happened during the Jr. High Girls hangout movie time. We all sat around the television and watched "The Shack" and we laughed together, we cried together and we shared stories about how God uses our pain for His glory. Then we had a story time & played games. In that moment we all bonded and realized that we have more in common with one another then we thought. A funny highlight is the Areozone experience. We all jumped around on the trampolines and played games and were able to just be silly.
   A take away for me would have to be Psalms 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God".  This passage, along with many other ones that I held deep and close to my heart this summer kept me pushing through any difficulties, confusion and unknown situations. This passage became so strong and evident throughout my whole summer at FPC. I've seen God's love through the families and friends I've made here at the church. It was FPC's hospitality and true love and worship to Christ where I saw this passage come to life for me. It was telling me to trust God, do not fret, and watch Him provide for me and all my needs through the people He sends my way.
   What I learned this summer will be applicable in my next season of life because I learned to ALWAYS trust in God and allow God full control in all areas of my life. I can't say "Oh God I trust you," but then turn around and start worrying myself to bad health and try to do things on my own because I feel that He is taken too long. That is not how it's suppose to be and that is not how you trust God. I learned that in EVERYTHING you do, be in prayer. I learned that patience is a virtue and that God does not work according our time table in life but by His time table. Granted these are things I already knew, but this summer reminded me and gave prospective on them. Knowing is one thing, and putting what you've learned into action is another thing. These hard core values and lessons will ALWAYS be a revolving door for me to constantly use in every season of my life.
   Starting this fall I will be entering the Pink House. I ask for prayer for  a smooth transition into the house. I ask for prayer for God to open doors of job opportunities in order to maintain living here in Fresno. Also that God will continue to use me to help others and spread His gospel.

David Steffen

   I am very grateful for the opportunity to work at  FPC this summer with the junior high students. Both the students and leadership team had a great impact on me. Through this experience I have developed as a leader, working with the young people, planning and teaching bible studies, and as a team member through development meetings. The experience enhanced my Christian faith and and allowed me to experience God in a different context.
   One of my favorite experiences was watching kids have fun and enjoy themselves at Shaver Lake despite sudden obstacles and changes to schedule.
   These things will be a huge blessing for me as I move forward serving as a substitute teacher for Fresno Unified School District with similar aged kids and in a classroom setting. Please be praying for courage and wisdom for me during this transition and for the Holy Spirit to be guiding me through the things I say and do.

 

ROOTED High School Ministry (9th-12th Grade)

Annie Johnson

   My summer working with high school has been exciting, thrilling, meaningful and inspiring. I saw God the most through the students. They were eager to learn, grow and be vulnerable with each other and the leaders. I observed that events with large groups are great, but what really makes a difference are the relationships being built with students. 
   One of my favorite memories was our last major event of the summer, Lake Day. A group of students and I were playing the human knot in the lake. It was impressive and exciting to see the students work together to try to 'untangle' the knot. We are called to reflect the same love Christ showed us - a relentless pursuit. Therefore, just as God is intentional with us, we have to be intentional in engaging with the students. I can be as simple as playing the human knot. During my time, I was reminded that ministry, when done well, is imbued with a tremendous amount of joy. With this comes the importance of making prayer and taking a Sabbath a priority.
   A big takeaway for me was the reminder that any sort of ministry can never be done alone. It is essential to invest in a team of disciples that make disciples. It is surprising how diversity in leadership makes a huge difference. The more diverse your team is, the wider range of kids your team will reach. I saw this in the teams we had this summer. The most important thing I noticed is that we all had the same vision. Everyone will have their own way of doing things and the Spirit will be the one to use their unique abilities, skills, and backgrounds to propel them towards that same vision. Having a team  with the same vision and calling from Jesus, we were able to focus on what needed to be done to spread the good news. Also, we are partners and allies with the parents of the youth.
   I was able to teach and lead at Wednesday night swim studies. I gained valuable teaching and leadership skills to be a future educator.