Hi!
My name is Katie, and I have spent the last two summers on Summer Project in New York City (one of the stateside summer project opportunities that Campus Crusade offers). New York City is a diverse city, and it is truly a melting pot of so many different cultures and beliefs. Though it is a thriving city, one in which the brightest students and future leaders of the world come for education, it is also a city that is in desperate need of experiencing God’s love. NYC summer project is different from most stateside projects in that students do not get a job while on project. Instead, our “job” during the day was ministering to students on college campuses. Each day, we would travel to one of our assigned colleges and engage in conversations with the students there. It was so amazing to have the opportunity to share Christ’s love with students, many of whom had never heard the gospel before! We also had something scheduled each night as a project, which provided a great chance to build relationships and community as a group. For example, each week we had a large group meeting (similar to our weekly meetings), small group, discipleship, a free night, and cultural dinner night! So you may be thinking that all sounds like fun, but why should you personally go on a summer project?
There are three main reasons why I feel everyone should consider and go on a summer project. First of all, summer project is a wonderful opportunity to grow in one’s relationship with God. Through summer project, I learned so much about God’s character! I personally began to see what it really looked like to trust God fully with every area of my life, and I constantly saw throughout the summer God’s constant provision and faithfulness. In addition, summer project provides one with an opportunity to develop some of the deepest and most authentic relationships they will ever have. On NYC summer project, I was able to see a depiction of what real God-centered community looks like. I meet many of my closest friends through project, and have been able to continue these friendships over the last couple of years. Finally, summer project provides one with opportunity to receive training and practice in sharing one’s faith. Before project, thinking about evangelism really caused a sense of fear in me. However, after spending a summer in NYC, and receiving more training in how to share my faith, I felt so much more comfortable engaging in religious conversations with others. I began to experience so much joy in sharing the Gospel. Countless times over the summer, I was able to share the Gospel with people who had never heard of or fully understood how they could have a personal relationship with Jesus. Also, through sharing my faith, God really developed in me a heart for the nations. One of my favorite things about NYC is the diversity in the city. It was rare to go on campus and speak to someone who was born in the United States. New York really is the city where the nations come to you, and it was such a privilege to have the opportunity to share the gospel with students from all over the world!
I hope this has given you a taste of how amazing and life-changing summer project is. Consider going to NYC this summer (or one of the other stateside partnerships) and see how God will not only work in your life, but will also use you to impact the lives of students from all over the globe! If you have any questions or want to hear more, feel free to contact me! I would love to meet up and share more!
Katie
kbriggs@unc.edu