Emerging Leaders

What a sweet summer we had at Mercy Street! We are so thankful for the way Jesus moved in the hearts of the junior interns, senior interns, and Mercy Street staff alike. You can read a bit more about what the summer looked like here:

http://mercystreetdallas.blogspot.com/2015/05/2015-summer-interns.html

Here are a few things we are celebrating from the summer…

• 

  Each micro-businesses was profitable. Street Signs, Mercy Street Cafe, Shiver Shaved Ice and Spiffy T's all had a successful summer. Junior interns learned about entrepreneurship, budgeting, bookkeeping, advertising, and customer service. They got to put these skills into action each day in their marketplace teams and then see the fruit in a bonus paycheck at the end of the summer!

• Six fantastic speakers joined us throughout the summer to teach about different marketplace and life skills. Topics included advertising and smart consumerism, personal finance and budgeting, how to avoid credit slavery, college readiness, and conflict resolution. We are blessed by the willingness of so many people to share their knowledge and resources with us.

• COLORADO! Our week long backpacking trip on the Ute Trail in CO is always a highlight of the summer. We were reminded again this year of our thankfulness for the Sky Ranch Wilderness Program, and the way their staff loves us well.

• Junior and senior interns read a book together called Kairo. It’s an urban retelling of Pilgrim's Progress and sparked lots of good conversation on what it means to follow God and let him take away our burdens. The author, Judah Ben, was able to join us for a book discussion one week!

• Jerry Wagner and Garrett Smith led students in a study of the Sermon on the Mount. We spent the summer discussing what a Christian Leader looks like and cares about based on the things Jesus taught his followers.

• Our six senior interns went above and beyond their job descriptions and formed really beautiful, mutually-transforming relationships with the junior interns. Almost every single junior intern said that the best part of the summer was getting to know the senior interns.

I’ll leave you with a fun story. Toward the end of the summer, the manager of our local Chick-fil-a taught a marketplace skills class about customer service. One junior intern, Tyrin, was especially engaged and asked great questions throughout the session. By the end, the manager was so impressed with Tyrin that he offered him an interview for a job at Chick-fil-a! Tyrin is now employed there and getting to use his leadership skills on the job.

This is just a small glimpse into the summer internship. At the core of the Leadership Institute is a desire to see students marveling at Jesus, allowing Him to lead them to repentance, and ultimately resulting in lives ripe with Kingdom fruit. During the summer, we have front row seats to watch this happen … what a joy and privilege! We are so proud of these emerging leaders, and feel incredibly thankful to have spent the summer with them.

Pine Cove Stories

I overheard a sweet conversation taking place at my house the other day. One of the Mercy Street leadership guys, Terrell, was talking through a big decision facing him with another one of the young men, Bobo, who participated in the Summer internship. Terrell was deciding where he should go to school his senior year. He had gone to school outside the community last year, but he felt disconnected from Mercy Street and missed the spiritual encouragement. 

Bobo said, "Man, something sparked in me at Pine Cove this year about our responsibility as leaders in the community. I really want you to go to Pinkston so that we can make an impact in West Dallas together." 

They continued to talk about the pros and cons of each decision. Then I interjected. "Tell me more about this 'spark' you felt at camp to step up your leadership, Bobo."

Bobo said, "I'm not sure exactly what it was, but I realized that I had a voice and influence that I never really realized--despite the fact you guys would say it all the time. Part of it was seeing the influence the Pine Cove counselors had on us and part of it was the fact we were given a role to lead the younger kids at camp and they really responded to the things I said. It just seemed like God was using me." 

I said, "That's pretty cool Bobo. Maybe God really does have a big purpose for you in West Dallas." 

He said, "I think He has a big purpose for us. Terrell you need to stay in West Dallas and we are going to lead to some real change, showing these kids a different and better way."

That has been our prayer all along. 

Trey Hill
Executive Director, Mercy Street

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I came away from camp feeling so encouraged this year.  For years we have been working with our high school students to embrace the idea of taking ownership in their community by demonstrating leadership and pouring into the younger students.  This has been the intention behind bringing the high-schoolers to Pine Cove for years.  While camp has always been the highlight of their summer and they continue to ask me to play the songs they fell in love with there all year long, this year something different happened.  Those older students truly stepped up, with the encouragement of Pine Cove counselors and other staff, to teach and shepherd their younger comrades.  And because of this, they grew too.  Here are a couple Instagram posts I saw upon returning to civilization:

"I'm back from camp.  It's always life changing.  Being able to be a leader to kids that live a different life style than me but we can share one thing (living for the Lord).  Now that I'm back home the battle for Christ isn't over.  I'm wanting to live a life where everything I'm doing I'm glorifying God.  #forgiveness #love #giveithereson #pinecove"

"Getting to know Him better was the best experience ever take it from a older perspective"

P.S. Someone responded to one of the above posts looking for guidance and wanting to talk more.  The Kingdom is spreading :)

Rachel Kramer

Mentor Coordinator, Mercy Street

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"This was my first time at camp and I really enjoyed all the activities with my friends! I learned more about God and grew closer to him. The one thing that stood out was having my mentor Kate join me at camp for a few days! We were able to spend time together, participate in activities together, enjoy good meals 

together, and both were encouraged by the messages that we heard while at camp. I am so looking forward to going again next summer! I just want to say thank you to all the people that made it possible for me to experience this wonderful time at Pine Cove camp!"

Pricila Fuentes

Mentee, Middle School Student 

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We were blown away by Pine cove and wanted to share our highlights. One of the greatest things we witnessed was the young girl who told the group she accepted Christ at camp. Hearing her story of her coming from a bad place to a place of trusting Jesus will forever leave a lasting impression on us and our kids.  Another highlight was spending our mornings with each of the twins groups and the fellowship with them, the other kids, the counselors and our own kids. What a gift that was given to our kids to spend the week with other kids who may live in a different zip code, but the relationships are no different.  We saw God working all week in community and fellowship among them. Trusting each other, deepening their relationship with Christ and having SO MUCH FUN. 

The counselors were AMAZING!!! The way they loved us and our kids will be memories that will last a lifetime. 

Both Byron and Broderick's counselors told us that each of them have a gift and sharing the gospel with their friends. That's pretty awesome, too! 

Pine Cove and Mercy Street are both pretty amazing and we are honored to be able to share in expanding the Kingdom of God with both of you!!

Gratefully,

Jenny Griffin  (husband Reid mentors the twins Byron & Broderick)

If you are having a hard time with mentoring...

​A bit of encouragement we received from a mentor: 

Hey Joy! 

Things have actually been going really well with Flor and me lately and I just wanted to let you know. I had told you before that I was having trouble trying to get together with her because of our crazy schedules. Well for the summer we decided to call each other every day and read the Bible together while I drive to work. Well..... She reads and I comment. It's safer that way. ;P But it's been going well and we haven't missed a day yet. I've also been able to get together with her face to face once since summer started, but I'm really excited to find a way to touch base with her on a very regular basis. 

I hope all is going well with you! ​

Party with a Purpose

One of the requirements to attend Pine Cove camp is completing two work days. It’s sort of a way to “earn” your camp opportunity. Today’s work day was very unique. The students had a Party with a Purpose for Sole Hope!

Sole Hope is a non profit that provides shoes for the people of Uganda. Their core purpose is to effectively put in place preventive methods to combat diseases that enter through the feet and to create a positive physical and spiritual difference in the lives of individuals in impoverished communities.

As you can see from the photos, the students worked very hard tracing and cutting patterns, putting the different pieces together into sets and decorating! By the end of the two hours, TWENTY ONE pairs of shoe sets were prepped and ready to be shipped to Uganda for assembly.

Waiting for God's Best

My Street Team girls and I have been doing more than just simple Bible studies together; we’ve been doing LIFE together. These past four years, these eight girls have been sharing the struggles of their confusing, often chaotic lives. We found a common ground when I shared my confusion and sadness of being in my mid-thirties and still single. So early on they understood that there was real pain in my life as well. We often asked each other to pray for heartache in our lives and I would ask them to pray for God to provide a husband for me- His best.

  
When I told them that I was dating Dan, they flipped out! They were full of questions and amazement as we saw God beginning to answer our prayers for my life. We had talked many times about healthy relationships, what to look for in a good boyfriend, and purity while dating. They would even whine, “But, Ms. Jill there aren’t any guys like that in West Dallas!” I felt the say way, “There aren’t any guys like that in their thirties either but I’m still waiting for God’s best for me! I will NOT settle- and you better not either.”  When I began dating, suddenly I had the privilege of living the Biblical truths we had discussed.  For many of them what I was practicing was a very new concept for them. Humbly, God was using me to proclaim His perfect plan for their lives also.

So, when Dan asked me to marry him, it was completely natural for me to involve them in the wedding. They were family to me, and family belongs in every important celebration.  My heart soared the day of the wedding as the girls and I were getting ready for the ceremony. They were my West Dallas Leading Ladies, and they lead the way for the whole wedding party as Dan and I joined our lives together. The pastor even spoke to them directly and asked if they were prepared to fight for me and support me in this marriage covenant even when it got tough. They loudly agreed “WE WILL”!

After the honeymoon, we were able to talk more about the blessings waiting on His timing and His best. I shared how much I wanted them to have a wedding night filled with true love, tenderness, security, and commitment.

Our students desperately need people in their lives who talk about and try to model the life God desires for them. The pain we go through and the failures we experience are used to turn us to Him, and pave the way for healing, forgiveness and restoration. I’m so glad that my pain and my longing for a husband have been lived out for them to see in such a raw form, because I know that God has used my story to speak His truth into their lives. At Mercy Street, God is using broken people to build new leaders for the future of West Dallas. 

A Beautiful Journey

Hey MS people!

Just wanted to drop a note to those of you that I known over the years.  Larrishelle graduated this past weekend (praise the Lord!!) and I was reminded of how much y'all have been such a BIG part of this.  I also think of Julie and Mindy who were also a big part in this journey as well!

I know my relationship with Larrishelle is not over, but it for sure has hit a huge marker.  I have been so privileged to serve along side y'all and see you as a ministry grow, change and be shining lights for Jesus. Y'all are amazing!!

I have learned a lot in this mutually transforming relationship and it has been a tough and beautiful journey.  Lord knows that I had my many moments of failures, not having a clue of what I was doing most of the time and just wanting to quit at some point.  I am still learning only Jesus can  change hearts and I can only do so much and be faithful with what he has given me and the small amount of time I had/have with Larrishelle.  

At this time I don't know what the future holds and just praying about how I can continue my involvement in Mercy Street and what that could look like.  

One idea I had in the meantime was maybe to host small groups of mentees at my place periodically for dinner (6-7ish people)--from different stages/churches etc to interact, share stories, encourage each other etc.  I did this last summer with some mentees from Irving Bible and few others from another church and it was great.   Not sure if you all have any thoughts on that or think it would be a good idea. 

Thank you for all the prayers, help, love, advice, support and just being the wonderful people you are because of Jesus.   I want to be you all when I grow up! :)

Jen

A Summer To Remember

For ten years Mercy Street has been sowing seeds in the soils of West Dallas.  Over a thousand young people have been matched with a mentor or coach through the years, making an impact that is very challenging to measure.  My favorite way to measure impact is through life transformation.  There is nothing as thrilling as watching a person change.  With my front row seats to the action (our family moved in to the neighborhood 8 years ago), I have witnessed seeds growing tender shoots and most recently beginning to strengthen into fruit bearing plants.  To be more explicit, I am referring to the celebrated leaders emerging from within West Dallas everyday.

This summer we have handcrafted an internship for 26 such leaders.  These are the most elite students we've seen.  They have each participated in a year long small group, walked closely with a group leader, begun to express a hunger for Jesus and a commitment to avoid the entangling web of poverty.  These students have enrolled in what we now call around the halls of Mercy Street the LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE.  

These students will be coming to Mercy Street from 9-5 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the summer.  During that time we are praying God would instill two ever so critical impressions upon them.  We hope they acquire

a red-hot love for Jesus their Messiah

and

a prudent awareness of the marketplace and the skills demanded to participate in it.  

These students will be visiting several local businesses for a behind-the-scenes discovery tour.  Several business owners will come and teach on the elements of the marketplace most critical for students to grasp.  Students with shadow an employee for 3 weeks at a local business. And lastly, what we are most thrilled about is that students will participate in starting a small business at Mercy Street over the summer.  

We will start a shaved ice stand, a t-shirt printing company, an art collaborative and a small cafe for staff families/alumni.  They will come up with a business plan including a budget, an advertising scheme, bookkeeping processes, customer service creeds and then pocket the profits.

A few other extraordinary elements of the summer include: the arrival of 7 passionate college students who will mentor these high school leaders all summer long, a 7 day backpacking trip in Colorado (midsummer), and a 5 day trip to Pine Cove Summer Camp.

We are overjoyed as we watch these leaders emerge and find ourselves both humbled and thrilled at the opportunity to nurture them this summer.  We simply can't imagine the great things God might have them do to massively impact the streets of West Dallas.

We wholeheartedly invite you to join with us in praying for these students.  If you are interested in meeting them we invite and encourage you to come down.  Contact Garrett via email at garrett@mercystreetdallas.org to come up with a time that would work well for you to come get some autographs from these superstars.  Have a magnificent summer!