On-campus ministry summer program provides students with leadership and spiritual growth
By Makenzy Veldboom | Editor in Chief
Summer Leadership Project (SLP) is an annual event that takes place around the country, growing students spiritually, communally and responsibly through an on-campus ministry called Campus Outreach.
For the Augusta region, this event takes place in Daytona Beach, FL. For the whole summer, students have full-time jobs, attend spiritual training and workshops and build friendships with other students on their own campuses and with surrounding campuses including Augusta University, Georgia College, Georgia Southern and USC Aiken.
There is also an abridged version of the program for students who cannot stay for the whole summer. These students participate in the project's first two weeks and have special training for their version of the program.
Cameron Watson, a recent alumnus of AU, attended the abridged version of SLP as a room leader and contingent staff at Georgia College.
Watson’s day-to-day during SLP included attending Bible, prayer and evangelism training; diving deep into these topics, and studying God’s word daily while learning how to pray and evangelize not just on the leadership project but beyond. Watson was able to lead a few of these training sessions as well. In addition, Watson was able to lead his room spiritually and build relationships with them.
Watson also shares one of his takeaways from his time at SLP.
“I think growing in being bold in my faith; going and sharing the gospel with people even when it seems really weird or uncomfortable, but realizing that nothing else really matters more than that, said Watson. “Sharing the gospel; sharing the hope that Jesus has come to save sinners like me and like anyone else.”
Watson adds, “I think being willing to be bold and be humble; humility and boldness have been at the forefront of my mind the whole time. I'm nothing before God, yet God is giving me every reason to give everything that I can for His name because He gave everything; He humbled Himself to give everything.”
The purple team! Both Watson and Maldonado were on this team.
Cecilia Maldonado, another recent alumna of Augusta University, also attended SLP, but attended for the entire summer. Maldonado worked at a local fireworks store during the week while attending the trainings. She also was a room leader so she was able to mentor and lead a few of the first-year attendees. This was a rewarding aspect of the project for her because she was able to get to know her girls in her room and pour into them while growing spiritually together.
Maldonado also shares thoughts from her favorite talk during the project.
“The ‘Am I a Christian talk?’ was impactful. I think it was good for me to be able to say this is how I've seen the Lord change my life and I've seen how the way I walk and talk and identify myself is rooted in Christ,” said Maldonado. “It was very assuring to me that it was even just a good tool to be able to talk to people who aren't believers, people who are on the edge of things or wanting to desire Christ but don't know how to get there.”
She also shares one of her takeaways from the summer.
“There's nothing I can do to save myself. God is the only one with that kind of power, and that's really free to know that my works can't save me; only the Lord can and only that kind of grace and mercy can.”
Maldonado with (from left) Celia Ulrich, Emily Bengston, Maddie Scheich
Steven Zhang, CO Augusta staff, was able to serve as the project director for the duration of the first two weeks of the project and cast the vision for the beginning of the project. This vision was to walk deeply with God and walk deeply with one another. Zhang’s day-to-day varied throughout, but he sought to impress this goal on others and sought to be impressed upon himself with what God had for him in his time on the project.
“This summer was my 10th year in Daytona whether as a student or on staff with CO and every year there’s a spiritual anticipation as I drive on A1A,” said Zhang.
Zhang added, “God meets me every year showing me how trustworthy He is in every aspect of my life from my schedule as a college student to how I parent my boys. Seeing college students year after year slowly taking the dip like a trust fall in their own walks with God is affirming to the years I’ve given to invest my life on the college campus.”
Zhang also shares the biggest lesson he learned this summer.
“The biggest lesson that stands out to me this summer is standing firm on the promises of God and His certainties, not the “certainties” that I am trusting in for purpose, security or fulfillment.”
He adds, “There were lies that I wanted to believe like if I acted a certain way or gained the approval of others then I’d have a sense of purpose. I was confronted by my act of trading the creator for created things, wanting stuff over the one who made it all. This summer I learned a lot when it came to trusting in the God in Psalm 84 no matter the circumstances facing me.”
Zhang also shares some encouragement for any student considering growing in their faith during the summer.
“I’ve seen time and time again that committing your summer is a scary and big sacrifice but it’s been worth it to so many,” said Zhang.
“From students who are giving up the comfort of going back home for the summer to students who are spending their last summer of college, delaying the start of their career to invest in their walk with God, it’s been worth it. The saying is true, ‘Nothing worthwhile is gained without sacrifice.’ MLK Jr.,” Zhang adds.
Student leaders welcome first-year attendees during the arrival day of SLP.
As someone who also attended the project for two weeks, I recommend being a part of it in the future if you want to come out of your shell, be a part of a Christian community and be challenged while growing in your faith. It truly was a time of growth and encouragement of God’s faithfulness and blessings. I felt like for the first time since becoming a Christian, I was able to read God’s Word much deeper and actually study it and really pray and feel closer to the Lord. I can also attest to the wonderful community I was surrounded by and continue to be surrounded by as I have come back to campus.
If you are thinking about being a part of a campus ministry, visit here for the list of ministries here at Augusta University, all are welcome!
Contact Makenzy Veldboom at kveldboom@augusta.edu
Check out the mini gallery from the summer below:
