Be Pure

Heroes come in all ages. Today we talked to Emily Lemont. She started with us on the service team a couple years ago and serves as a counselor now.  Just 14 years old, she served the entire summer with us.

Why did you get started with CEF?

I got started because my siblings have been doing this for years. It’s a ministry I’ve grown up with and my family loves.

When I was old enough I wanted to come and serve, starting with the service team.

What is service team?

Service team behind the scenes ministry.  You’re serving the kids and the staff, and trying your best to make it run smoother for them.

If I’m doing dishes, counselors can focus on ministering to the kids.  

Service team is serving others before yourself. It might not be counseling a child to a salvation, but about serving them in a different way, like serving their food, cleaning the bathrooms.
 

How have you seen God work in your life through this experience?

He’s really opened my eyes to what serving Him and others look like. There’s a lot of behind the scenes work that goes on in ministry.

Sometimes God can work through you, even by serving kids food, and I can use that to glorify Him.
 

You started on the service team. What do you do now?

Now I’m a counselor. I work with the kids on a deeper level, lead a small group and I’ve been able to see kids come to know Christ.  
 

How has being a part of CEF impacted your relationship with God?

God is working in my heart and challenged me to think about why I’m doing ministry. I’m realizing there are kids out there who don’t know Christ. I grew up in a Christian family and now I have the opportunity to share the gospel with kids who didn’t.
 

What would you say to a young person who’s thinking about serving on service team?

Do it. It’s really rewarding. It’s a great way to get a first hand experience of ministry. You have responsibilities, you have a role, you’re able to look at other people and learn from them.

It’s hard work, and not always the funnest, but it’s rewarding and God can do amazing things through you, even if you don’t realize it.

Keep Seeking the Kingdom!

   Heather Penner
   Youth Ministries Director