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Improve Your
Serve
In the last issue of The Well, we asked whether
you have ever served God by serving others and 100% of you who
answered our survey said YES! Whether it's an organized
service project in your community or a church missions trip or
simply lending a hand to someone in need during the course of
a regular day, serving is a tangible way to show God's love to
others. In this issue of The Well we talk to some
SpringHill counselors about the ways they serve and look more
deeply at our motivations for service and what God calls us
to. You'll also find some great reviews and another
opportunity to converse with your fellow campers on the
SpringHill myspace page. Go to
it!
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News @
SpringHill Michigan
Brrrr...a winter chill is in the air. This
means it's time to tell your
youth leader about our awesome 2007 Winter
Retreats! Don't miss heart-thumping live music,
captivating speakers and wild and crazy snowy
fun: February 23-25 and March 2-4, 9-11, 16-18 and
23-25. Ask your youth leader to visit the
Winter Retreats page on the SpringHill website to
get your group on
board!
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What's Your
Role?
Jesus knew that the Father
had put all things under his power, and that he had come from
God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took
off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his
disciples' feet, drying them with a towel that was wrapped
around him. -John 13:3-5
You've probably heard
this story of Jesus washing his disciples' feet before. It
reveals what perhaps should be our greatest motivation to
serve: because Christ took on the lowliest task in order to
serve his disciples (and, thus, us). But have you ever thought
about why he was able to do it? This passage in the book of
John reveals that Jesus truly knew who he was; he had come
from God and was returning to God. Because of this he was
totally freed up to serve. Jesus didn't worry about what
anyone thought of what he was doing. He didn't worry about
whether his disciples would approve of him or think he was
wonderful or even say "thank you." He served because
God had put all things under his power. Since he
knew who he was in God, he didn't have to be concerned about
anything else.
Think about
this: Do you spend more time thinking about what
others think of you or about who you are in Christ? When you
serve, what are you most concerned about? Doing a good job?
Being appreciated or recognized? Getting the best jobs for
yourself? How would your service be different if you truly
believed that you were a blessed child of God? If Jesus could
set aside his divine privileges to love and serve us,
shouldn't we go out our way to serve eachother?
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TST Crew Chief Speaks Out
This summer's TST campers may remember crew chief
Matt Szuminski. A philosophy and religion major in his junior
year at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan,
Matt talks to The Well about how and why he
serves.
The Well: What are some
tangible ways you serve God?
Matt: I
really love high school kids (which is why I chose to serve as
a TST Crew Chief at SpringHill!), so I volunteer as a youth
leader at my church. I've also participated in missions trips
to Russia and Peru and spent a week on the Gulf Coast helping
to clean up after Hurricane Katrina.
The
Well: Did you learn anything about service while you
were at SpringHill?
Matt: It wasn't easy
and there were times when it wasn't even fun. But it was an
incredibly rewarding experience to be so totally immersed in
service.
The Well: How does serving God
and serving others impact your own
life?
Matt: I feel like I'm worthless if
I'm not doing anything for others. The reason serving with
high school kids especially impacts me is because that's the
age that I was when my life changed and I really decided to
follow Christ.
The Well: What advice do
you have for a camper who wants to
serve?
Matt: Churches always seem to have
opportunities to serve, or ask around at school. If you feel
passionate about something, like the homeless or helping
little kids, try to find a volunteer opportunity that aligns
with this.
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Now
Playing
Irresistible
Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical by Shane
Claiborne: SpringHill counselors, like Christina
Prince, are highly recommending this compelling account of how
to live radically in today's world. A founding member of the
Simple Way, a radical faith community located in a destitute
neighborhood in Philadelphia, Claiborne writes
a magnetic, story-oriented narrative that draws us in
with humor and intimacy, and calls us to rethink the meaning
of church, conversion and Christianity. As Christina says,
"You can't walk away without wanting to live your faith to its
fullest." To learn more about the book and its author, visit
the website www.irresistiblerevolution.org.
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Fully
Alive from Flyleaf: On a first pass, you
may be surprised that this aggressive rock music is Christian.
But one good listen to the lyrics and it's undeniable that
there's a life-giving message in this music. SpringHill
counselor Dan Buckley describes Flyleaf as having an
Evanescence-like sound with lyrics that proclaim "how we can
be fully alive in Jesus." Sound like a winning combination?
Listen to some tracks on the
band's website and decide for yourself.
Why All This
Armor? from Aching Wings: Cornerstone
University student Zach Vinson launched his debut this October
and according to his girlfriend, SpringHill counselor
Christina Prince, it's an album you don't want to miss. Both
singer and songwriter, Vinson also plays piano and accordion
on this acoustic gem. Visit the Aching
Wings myspace page to hear some music and learn
more.
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Service is the very rent we pay to be living.
It's the very purpose of life and not something you do in your
spare time.
-Marian Wright Edelman
Everybody can be great...because everybody can serve.
You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't
have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only
need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
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In the Real
World
When you serve someone, what
are you expecting in return? A thank you? A pat on the back?
Recognition? Maybe even the chance to see a life changed? If
you don't get the response you expected when you reach out to
someone, how do you feel? Cheated? Disappointed? Confused? In
the article "You Ain't No Better Than
Me," student Ed Gilbreath shares an experience in giving
that backfired - or did it?
Check out the story and then share your views on
our motivations for service on the SpringHill My Space page!
Go to myspace.com/springhillcamps
to talk about it with other SpringHill campers. Or, if you
have another question you'd like to discuss, email us.
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What You
Said
30% of you
say that you tell others about Jesus whenever you have the
opportunity; 30% of you say that you don't tell people
in words, but rather in the way you live.
88% say that sometimes it's difficult to
talk about your faith.
When you talk about Jesus, 30%
think more about what to say, while 70%
think more about how to say it.
How do you feel
about your testimony? 56% say
blessed; 19% are unsure; 13% feel
overwhelmed.
100% of you have
served either with your youth group, your family, your
friends or a volunteer
organization.
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