my story & my song: okla{HOME}a pt.1

A common phrase you will hear used in the Next Step community is "life changing mission trips". Serving with this ministry, you go into the summer with the idea you will be apart of a team that will ultimately change the lives of the students who come to serve in the sites and the lives of the community members in the name of Jesus. However, it is those same students and the community members that in fact change your own life, and as a result transform your own walk with the Lord into something greater than you could have imagined.

I've been home a few days from serving in Oklahoma this summer, and in those few days all my thoughts have been spent reminiscing over the summer. I've had a few people ask me how Oklahoma was, and the first thing that pops into my mind each time is Ephesians 3:20-21.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus thoughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."- Ephesians 3:20-21

Serving in New Mexico last summer, challenged me in so many ways but it was through all of the ups and downs I came away with a closer and stronger relationship with Christ. Unsure whether or not I would be serving in another community this summer, I began praying for God to guide me towards the path he wanted me to follow. He led me to Moore, Oklahoma.

The summer can be summed up in one word...MORE. From beginning to end, the summer was full of more blessings than I could have asked for. From my team, the church, the communities my team and I served in, to the relationships with the youth groups we served alongside, the Lord had his hands all over this summer and truly moved in more ways than any of us could have asked or imagined.

The Team

The eight individuals that I had the privilege of serving this summer with were beyond incredible. All of us came together in Madison, Wisconsin for a week of training from nine different states. The North, South, East, and West were all well represented within our team. Though each of us came from different backgrounds and brought a variety of skills and personalities, I truly believe that God brought each of us together to know him more and to make him known in Oklahoma this summer.

Training week definitely allowed the team to get to know one another, but it was during our first week on site in Oklahoma that we quickly shifted from a team to a family. We quickly became each others support system throughout the summer. I think that the 14 hour drive down to Oklahoma from Wisconsin definitely helped grow us closer together, but it was our staff devotionals and prayer meetings that held us together over the summer. From the very beginning of the summer, we strived to stay committed to Christ, each other, and to keep in step with his Spirit.

By the end of the summer, I walked away with six new brothers and two fabulous sisters in Christ. Saying goodbye to each of them wasn't easy, but I have complete confidence that God is going to continue using each of them in the hometowns and that our paths will cross again one day...and I just hope that one day is sooner rather than later!