Through triumphs and struggles, I was challenged to grow in my faith

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Home 5 MBC Blog 5 Through triumphs and struggles, I was challenged to grow in my faith

Through triumphs and struggles, I was challenged to grow in my faith

December 11, 2023

I’m Emily, the Recreation Coordinator here at MBC, and I have had the joy of working here for the past 5 years in different capacities. However, I started out as a part of the summer student discipleship program (previously Stepping Stones, now Immerse).

Over the years it has been a blessing to be a part of the community of service created at MBC. I remember when I first began here how the full-time staff explained the concept of ministry to all the summer students. They explained that no matter what department we were in from maintenance to kids’ min we were all in ministry because we were serving God. Which was a perspective on work that I had forgotten about.

I had worked for other organizations prior to coming to MBC, but MBC was the first to require a standard higher than the everyday tasks of the job. They required that we work not for ourselves, our own glory, or even the recognition of MBC, but that we work as Paul describes to the Colossians.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24

This is a lesson I am still learning 5 years later as I serve alongside the other recreation staff in creating experiences for guests to enjoy without the stresses of everyday life. We get to meet people in all different stages of their everyday and spiritual lives, and I have been blessed to get to hear some of these people’s stories as they to enjoy some of the recreation activities. Working at MBC was an opportunity for me to escape the stresses of living in a secular world where I had to be on guard for my faith and gave me a space to safely explore my faith, ask the hard questions and be taught how to find biblical answers. After each summer I would be more prepared to go home and live out my faith boldly with new resources to continue to grow. Every summer, through triumph or struggle I can say without a doubt that I was challenged to grow in my faith and learned something about my walk with Christ that I was then able to apply going home.

To make each summer a success we need many people with many different talents that are willing to use their gifts for God’s glory. I am reminded of 1 Peter 4:10 which calls us to return the blessings God has given us to Him in service to Him and others.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10).

The Student Discipleship Program at MBC focuses on the growth of students through many activities, through work, community, and spiritual growth. This program has pushed me to new depths in my faith and challenges me continually to keep growing in my faith.

MBC Immerse Program