Sunshine

COVER STORY
CORE VALUE: CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES
The Christian faith serves as the foundation
for the mission and core values at
Methodist Children’s Home.
To help youth develop an understanding
of God’s love and grow in their
faith, the religious education program
provides worship, discipleship activities,
camps and mission trips for youth.
In addition, staff members throughout
the ministry model principles of the
Christian faith to the youth they serve.
In recent years, MCH established
a partnership with the Perkins Youth
School of Theology (PYST) at Southern
Methodist University that enables
youth to pursue advanced study in the
Christian faith and theology.
“We offer this opportunity for
youth who want to gain a deeper understanding
of God, their own spiritual
journey and what it means to live as a
Christian,” said Kim Hammitt, director
of religious education.
The SMU program equips high
school students with skills for vocational
discernment and critical theological reflection
about their faith and society.
Participants attend a three-week summer
academy, contribute to community
service projects, and maintain a relationship
with a mentor.
In recent years, the summer academy
has taken place at a camp near
Palestine in East Texas. This environment
provides a relaxed atmosphere
where youth develop a sense of community
through team-building exercises.
Josh and Simona, residents on the
Waco campus, have been involved in
PYST for two years. Although it is an
intensive academic program taught by
seminary professors, they believe the
work is worth the effort.
“My relationship to God is so much
Abenezer (left to right), Simona, Austin and Josh are among five MCH youth who
are participating in SMU’s Perkins Youth School of Theology. George is not pictured.
closer after attending the academy,”
Simona said. “The professors challenged
me so much and made me question
what I believe and why I believe it.”
Simona admits that making the
transition to the academy was difficult.
“We were put on a ‘technology fast’
at first, and it was hard to adjust to,”
she said. “We were encouraged to spend
time with one another instead of staying
on our cell phones or watching television.
In the process, we learned a lot and
grew closer together.”
While the youth bonded as a family,
they also studied the Bible and read
lengthy passages of Scripture at night.
“It was a lot like studying theology
in college, and the professors really
helped us learn,” Simona said.
Josh and Simona agree the experience
with PYST impacted their lives.
“It caused me to explore my faith,
and it challenged me,” Josh said. “I
have a deeper understanding of what
it means to be a Christian, and I have a
closer relationship with God.”
Each year, MCH residents who
participate in the program share their
insights with their peers as a way to
generate interest in the PYST. Josh understands
the important role he and
Simona play in helping other youth
learn about the program.
“A former resident told us that the
effort we invest in the program will determine
what we get out of it,” Josh
said. “It’s a lot of work, but we continue
to send that same message to others.”
As Josh and Simona live out the
principles of the Christian faith, they are
shining examples of the way MCH youth
fulfill this core value in their lives. They
are confident they will draw from the
lessons they learned and the values they
developed at the Home as they grow in
their relationship with God.
“I don’t know what God has
planned for me,” Josh said, “but I’m
willing to go where He leads me.”
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Sunshine I Winter 2011