To Serve and Be Discipled
 
I first came to Tejas in 1999 when I saw the brochure that said at Tejas you can serve and be discipled. It was my first attraction point to camp ministry. A place where I wanted to plug in. Every summer we hire high school and college students to help serve our guests and help them grow in their relationship with Jesus.
 
I encourage you to read Sarah’s story below and if you know someone who would be a great fit, let them know of this opportunity to serve and be discipled as we set the stage for Jesus to transform lives.
 
– Paul
 
P.S. Updates about the maintenance barn and other items are below the story.
 

“I wanted to be a part of summer staff at Tejas because I wanted to be a part of serving in a way where I could invite the Holy Spirit into an atmosphere where campers could experience God for the first time or in a whole new way.” – Sarah Champion, Summer Staff ’19, ‘20
 
 
 
 
Sarah Champion first experienced Tejas as a camper for four years, saying that interacting with the staff was always the highlight of her experience. Sarah said, “the staff was always so energetic and fun, and it was so interesting to engage with people from so many different backgrounds.” Sarah decided she wanted to be part of the fun staff that made camp special, so she applied and signed on in the summer of 2019.
 
During the summer, Sarah says she personally encountered Christ through the PDT (Personal Devotion Time) that is scheduled into every staffer’s day. Sarah described how wonderful it was for her to share her heart with God every day on the bench outside of Two:Three. She explained that she had never read the Bible that consistently, and developing that routine was monumental to her faith.
 
Sarah has since gone on to pursue a career in medicine as a pharmacy technician. As she goes throughout her day, Sarah says that she reflects on the “Two:Three” mindset (from the staff theme verse, Philippians 2:3) of considering others more important than yourself. She says that this mindset has helped her to become more intentional at work and to care for those around her selflessly.
 
Sarah encourages anyone interested in summer staff to apply, saying, “One thing you probably don’t think about as you sign your summer staff papers is just how much you will be poured into. Yes, you are agreeing to serve, but there is a whole team of full-time staff members who are your biggest cheerleaders who are there to pour into you and help you grow.”
 
If Sarah’s story inspires you, you can apply now to be on summer staff!
 
 
Update on the Maintenance Barn

For those of you following our story, the maintenance barn is a huge piece of keeping Tejas looking amazing. Here is a quick glance at the progress of the inside. We even want our team to experience the look and feel of Tejas behind the scenes! It’s our way of caring for our volunteers and staff. The bottom floor contains the volunteer room, supply closet, tool room and break room. Upstairs is an office, staff meeting space and storage. Thank you everyone who has given time, talent and treasure to make this possible. Next month we have a crew of volunteers coming to help us continue to put the finishing touches on it and get all the stuff moved in!
 
 
 
 
Did you know that 1 in 4 women, and families, will experience miscarriage, stillbirth, and/or infant loss? This is such a staggering statistic. If it hasn’t happened directly to you, with numbers this high, chances are you most likely know a family member or friend who has suffered this type of loss.
 
Hope Mommies was created for the 1 in 4 as a Christian nonprofit whose sole purpose is to come alongside the bereaved – bringing comfort, encouragement, companionship, and hope as they continue to walk this side of eternity without their beloved son or daughter.
 
Their retreat is coming up and I ask you please be in prayer for our upcoming event and that Jesus will heal and comfort the women who attend this year.
 
 
Tejas Gym
Has your pull-up bar turned into a place to hang wet clothes? Are your dumbbells being used to prop open the door? Are the resistance bands you promised yourself you’d use during quarantine, still in their original packaging? We have a solution for you.
 
Tejas is looking for exercise equipment donations. One of the most common reasons for a person not being able to serve at Tejas is summer workout requirements for high school/collegiate sports. By providing workout equipment, Tejas will help student-athletes who want to serve on summer staff and train for their sport. If you have something, please let me know and we can pick up and put it to use!
 
So far we have a bowflex and stationary bike donated! What do you want to add?