Myrtle Turtles

Every summer, students at the Summer Beach Project are divided into teams of about 30 or so in order to enable them to fellowship with students from other universities (plus, with a Project that large, we want to be able to keep up with and serve each individual!). My team leader partner, David (UNCC), and I feel so blessed to have been placed on a team with students who are so zealous and eager to serve other students and to seek the Lord's face this summer.

In order to create team unity, each summer team names are developed. This year, after much deliberation, we narrowed our large list of possible and witty team names down to one: Teenage Mutant Myrtle Turtles. If you lived in the 90s, I may have just conjured up some interesting images of muscular green creatures raiding the city in sewage pipes... and our vision for the summer isn't much different. While we won't be fighting bad guys underground, we will be taking on the identity of typical Myrtle Beach residents as we will work in public places and with local churches and try to evangelize to people of all ages and types on the beach. And we have a mission to fulfill.

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 explains it well, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."

As new creatures and ambassadors of God, we have become aliens here in this world (mutants, if you will). Much in the same way that baby turtles flood the beach when they hatch from their shells, we will attempt to flood the world to spread the good new of Jesus Christ, starting at Myrtle Beach. In order to complete this mission, we will have to prepare ourselves each and every day by putting on the full armor of Christ (turtle shell!). As team leaders, David and I pray that the amazing atmosphere of SBP will allow both room leaders and first year students to "grow out of their current shells" as their hearts are enlarged by Christ.


Students and staff will be traveling from far and wide to come to SBP next week, so we are jealous for your prayers.

Bread Crumbs

Last summer, I was blessed beyond measure to be a room leader at the Campus Outreach Summer Beach Project. Upon being a room leader, the beautiful hearts of three young women were entrusted to my care.

Meet Bailey, a Sophomore at Appalachian State University studying Recreation Management:

Although there is no Campus Outreach ministry at ASU, Bailey continues to labor on her campus with a few other faithful women. Next year, she plans to be an RA in a freshman dorm on campus for the purpose of impacting new college students with the Gospel of Christ.

She will be returning to SBP this summer as a room leader.

Meet Katlyn, a graduate of Appalachian State University with a degree in secondary history education and is a current Graduate student at UNC-Charlotte:

When she returns from Africa, she plans to continue leading Bible studies on the UNCC campus while finishing her education.

Meet Harley, a Junior at Wingate University studying Chemistry and Business:

After returning to campus this year, Harley became a Community Assistant at her apartment, which completely fits her heart of service. She has been leading a Bible study at Wingate this year and plans to begin one at home with her friends this summer.

Our God feeds the masses with only a few bread crumbs (Matthew 14:13-21). His love is so infinite that it does not spread in a multiplicative way, but exponentially. Our desire is to be placed in the Lord's hands and to be broken and distributed out into the world for His uses. SBP has equipped and shaped each of us in this endeavor, and will continue to do so for Bailey and I this summer. So, on behalf of these women and all of the people that God will touch by using them as instruments, thank you for your support.

Summer of 2012

In Matthew 13, Christ speaks of a man who found a treasure hidden away in a field. To obtain this treasure, he sold all that he had to buy the field. 

I want to be like that man. 

I have found my treasure: Christ. 

In pursuing my treasure and helping others find it, the Lord has led me to take on the role of team leader at Campus Outreach's Summer Beach Project. In becoming a team leader, I will partner with a male student to lead 30-40 other college students in their experiences at SBP, which will include teaching, counseling, and creating an environment which nourishes their spiritual growth.

Lord willing, I will keep this blog updated throughout the process of preparing for SBP, along with recording all of the shenanigans, miracles, and revelations that take place this summer. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated.