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Youth Staff Highlights

Youth Staff Highlights

Check out these updates from a few of our 2018 Summer Staff members who will be returning for Summer 2019!

Name: Keyahnah Burk

Where you are now: I am a sophomore at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas. I am majoring in youth and family ministry and minoring in psychology.

Years and roles at Mount Hermon: I served at Mount Hermon as the Ponderosa Adventure Assistant summer of 2018.

Where you’ll be this summer: In the summer of 2019, I will be returning as a counselor at Ponderosa.

How has God connected your heart with camp ministry?
God has shown me over and over again that camp ministry is beautiful. That is probably not the word I would have used at first with all the sweat, tears, nights of little sleep, and cold showers filled with attempting to get glitter out of my hair. But when I reflect on the amount I learned from speakers, staff, and campers about how to love God, my neighbor, and myself more and more, beauty is what I see.

What are you most looking forward to this summer?
I am most excited to have a cabin full of campers, laughter, and good conversation! I cannot wait to serve in such a gorgeous place with amazing people! Plus, beach day best day – am I right or what?

How can we pray for you?
I think one of the best ways you can pray for returning staff is to pray that our hearts would begin preparing more and more for this summer. I am praying that we will come together as the Body of Christ to give and receive love this summer.

Name: Timothy Starostka

Where you are now: I am currently a Junior at the University of Washington, in Seattle Washington.

Years and roles at Mount Hermon: I have worked as a counselor at Ponderosa lodge during Summer 2017 and Summer 2018.

Where you’ll be this summer: I will be returning to Pondy as the recreation specialist for Summer 2019

How has God connected your heart with camp ministry?
I have fallen more deeply in love with the Lord because of my time at Mount Hermon. I have gotten to bear witness to lives being transformed. Watching others fall in love with him has been such a testament to his faithfulness, and has brought me closer to him as well. Being a part this MH family and leading kids towards Jesus has been such a privilege; to know God and make him known.

What are you most looking forward to this summer?
I am excited to continue serving the camp that has meant so much to me. One of my favorite parts of camp is seeing returning campers and the ways they have grown. I and excited to continue growing those friendships. I even get to serve alongside my CILT from a previous summer. It is an honor to step into a leadership position and I am looking forward to serving the rest of summer staff.

How can we pray for you?
I pray that as we approach an amazing summer of ministry, we can draw nearer to God. Jesus tells us that when we remain in him we will bear much fruit, so I pray that I may walk intimately with him so that I can continue bearing the fruit of disciple making. I pray over every student that comes to camp that they will have the experience of a lifetime, and more fully understand the love that God has for them. Finally I pray for unity within our staff. That we can come together and support each other.

Name: Megan Pizzo

Where you are now: I am currently a sophomore at Liberty University pursuing a degree in Biomedical Sciences for pre-medical.

Years and roles at Mount Hermon: I served as a Health Technician summer of 2018 at Ponderosa Lodge.

Where you’ll be this summer: I will return as the Lead Health Technician at Ponderosa Lodge 2019.

How has God connected your heart with camp ministry?
I feel so blessed that I have been given the opportunity to take part in camp ministry. Growing up and attending camp at Mount Hermon, I knew I always wanted to come back and serve at a place that gave so much to me. Camp is such a unique opportunity where students are taken away from daily life and distractions and are given the chance to focus on God. Being able to serve, encourage, and care for the campers and see how much joy each student experiences and the freedom they find in Christ during their week is one of the most fulfilling things.

What are you most looking forward to this summer?
Coming back to camp, I am most excited to meet and serve all of the students that will come to Ponderosa Lodge this summer. Last summer it was so encouraging to see students come to know Christ and grow in their faith each week. I am also so excited to work on the health team again and serve the staff and students through my passion for medicine.

How can we pray for you?
Pray for unity among the staff and that the Lord will continually soften our hearts to be obedient to all the work he has prepared for us. Also be praying for all the campers that will we will serve this summer; that they will experience Jesus’s love through the staff and will have a desire to learn more about God and grow deeper in their faith.

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