Conner Gives Back

Guest Post by Amanda Tate

One of the coolest parts about having been around the Youthfront community for nearly ten years is that I get to see the impact that growing up in this ministry has on youth.  When I was a Cabin Leader at Youthfront LaCygne in 2005, I had a 7th grade girl in my cabin named Connor Spriggs.  I remember sitting with Connor outside the Snack Shack that week, probably eating ice cream and just talking life, but I never thought our relationship would continue beyond that. Several years later, I worked on staff at West for the first time and reunited with Connor, who was then on Teen Staff.  Last summer, I had the privilege of spending a whole summer with Connor as we both returned to West on Summer Staff, and we will work together once again this summer.

Connor’s faith first became real for her as a camper, and her experience on Teen Staff took her faith to the next level as she learned what it meant to serve and be the hands and feet of Jesus.  And as for why she continues to be a part of this ministry, Connor said, “My desire is to join with the Youthfront team in creating that same Christ-centered environment I experienced years ago, so that students may come to know the vast love of our Father and begin pursuing a life-changing spiritual journey.”

We don’t always get to see where our campers go after they leave a week of camp, so it’s been a blessing to get to see Connor grow through the ministry of Youthfront and want to now give back so that others can experience Christ in the same way. It’s a reminder to me of why we do what we do.