Starting over
I was 20 with only two summers of working for nonprofit ministry on my resume. I was hired to shepherd a group of middle and high schoolers for the summer. Fred the lead pastor was steady and calm, loved beyond measure, and gave grace when definitely didn't deserve it. Jane taught me how to plan a youth ministry budget, gave me direction when I didn't know which way to turn, and honestly was too green to ask for assistance. The summer turned into two years of learning about myself, understanding the fundamentals of leading, and more importantly what it meant to be a shepherd of the least, lost and lonely. I was 23 and applied for A Christian Ministry in the National Parks with the understanding that I would work full-time in one of our beautiful National Parks while also assisting in planning worship services for guests and employees in the park. I had no idea until I arrived that I wasn't merely assisting in the planning, but I was actually leading a small team of peop