Every summer Houghton sends out a ministry team composed of six students who serve at summer camps over a 10 week period. The program is run by Betsy Sanford, Church Relations office manager, who prepares the students on the ministry team by organizing training by a variety of Houghton staff. This summer the ministry team will be led by Andrew McGinnis and made up of Emily Bradley, Jody Crikelair, Janelle Conklin, William Strowe, and Ryan Ovell.
The students are trained during the first week of the program here on campus and then travel to different camps, usually staying about six days before travelling on to another camp. The team is comprised of students with strengths in different areas so that they can assist the staff at camps in many different ways.
“When we get to a camp, if they need anything from us, we are ready to go. I think that’s what sets us apart from all the other teams that we meet over the summer because some teams are just worship bands or just counselors, whereas the six of us, we’re ready to go. Whatever task you give us we are going to execute it and execute it very well.” said Zina Teague, a student who participated in the program for two summers.
This program provides the opportunity for Houghton students to connect with youth and to work in areas about which they are passionate.
“Being at camp, student are out of their comfort zone, away from their families, immersed in nature—really a unique opportunity to form relationships with campers,” said Sanford.
Hannah Prentice, a Houghton student who took part in the program said, “My favorite part of the summer was always the nights of cabin devotions with all my girls. We would just sit around and talk about life issues and relate that to my experience and my testimony and how God has used that in my life.”
Besides relating with students about their walk in life, the Houghton team also talks to the youth about higher education and Houghton College.
“It’s not even just telling them about Houghton, it’s telling them how to be prepared for college in general,” said Teague.
Overall the aim of the ministry team is to serve other people outside of the Houghton community.
“We come in ready to serve in whatever capacity the camp leaders want us to serve, and that’s how we’ll serve,” said Teague.
