Each summer the Friendship Baptist Center offers opportunities for youth and college students to identify and to use the gifts God has given them through ministry to others at the Center. Local high school students who have grown in their faith at the Friendship Baptist Center are recruited to serve alongside local church volunteers and mission teams that come to serve the families in the neighborhood.

Leeh, Jose, Eric and Buop (L to R) relax after a work day at the Friendship Baptist Center

This summer four youth served as Friendship Center Ministry Interns: Jose (19 years old) Buop,(17 years old), Leeh (15 years old) and Erik (17 years old). They provided childcare for ESL classes, led morning devotions for the mission teams, helped lead in a variety of ways to meet the needs of the 60 children who attended the weekly Day Camp. Through these leadership opportunities and interaction with mature believers, each of these youth have grown to a point of boldness in identifying with Christ in their own community and discovering their own spiritual giftedness.

Selah Ulmer (right) hams it up with Nicole and Boup

Other leaders have emerged as well. In the past few years two young ladies, Mandi McCluer and Selah Ulmer have served as semester interns at the Center. Both have found a deeper calling and are now pursuing further Christian training. Mandi is beginning her second year at New Orleans Seminary and Selah is enrolled at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary starting this fall.

Pray for the continued growth of these emerging leaders and that they will be strengthened in their faith and have the resources they need to be equipped for further service.
Pray that those ministered to in the community would recognize the call of God in their own lives and respond to God by making themselves available for growth and service.