With the arrival of every semester, Northland
students encounter fresh opportunities and new growing experiences. For five
diverse and energetic students, this semester will hold a very different set of
opportunities than a typical on-campus academic term. These five students make
up Northland’s spring 2012 traveling ministry team.
Mike Hoffman, a junior who is majoring in Biblical
Counseling, will serve as student-leader for this semester’s team. He will be
joined by Andrew Shaulis, a sophomore studying Youth Ministries, and sophomore
Ben Toomer who is majoring in Biblical Exposition. Joleanna Paine, a sophomore
Organizational Communications major, and Katie McKeown, a freshman who is
training in Cross-Cultural Studies, complete the group.
This semester’s team will be spending the majority
of its time traversing the Midwest and Western United States. The team members
will serve in a variety of ministry settings, including working alongside
pastors in local churches, visiting Christian school classrooms, leading chapel
services, and participating in youth events.
When asked for their thoughts on the upcoming
semester, the team members were enthusiastic. Both Andrew Shaulis and Ben
Toomer expressed their eagerness to preach in numerous settings throughout the
upcoming weeks. Ben added, “I really hope that I will get opportunity to really
be stretched and grown. I’m just super excited to get involved in so many
people’s lives. Can't wait to meet all these people and try and encourage them.”
Joleanna Paine summarized her goals: “I hope to learn better how to reach out to people and
disciple teenage girls. I am most excited to be in Christian schools and have
the opportunity to influence people's lives.” Andrew reflected, “It's
pretty cool getting to know and minister to various families that we meet! I
hope to learn and experience what real life ministry is all about. Getting to
know and build relationships with tons of people! Seeing different parts of the
country is pretty cool, too.”
As the group heads out for the semester, these five
students are excited to watch God work in and through them as they serve the
Body of Christ across the country. Follow their activities on Facebook,
or view the team’s itinerary here.