Hello friends and family! Here is a letter I sent out to my supporters. If you didn't get one, either I don't have your address or I made a mistake. Take a few minutes to read through it and check out what I've been up to!!
Me, at a place called Pohickory-- one of the few true wooded places around here
Dear Family, Friends, and Supporters,
The time has come! On May 27th I will graduate from the 1 year internship program at Willow Creek Community Church. As most of you know, I have been working with the Axis ministry. Axis serves 18-30 year olds, in the Greater Chicago Area. It has been a privilege and a joy to be a part of this ministry. I have learned much about myself and church ministry. I will take with me, the lessons I learned well into the rest of my life. I have also discovered a new path and direction for my life in these months, which I will share with you later.
First, I would like to tell you about some of the great things I was able to experience in this season. Below I will highlight the most significant milestones and opportunities.
1. Team Management and Creative Planning- As assistant to the director of Axis, I had the opportunity to think on, and strategize, bringing my thoughts and ideas forward, related to managing a team with our youthfulness, inexperience, and ministry focus. I was invited into decision making processes and asked for feedback and support. I was also invited into creative and ministry planning meetings throughout the time of my internship. Being able to take part in these experiences, has given me a good look into what it takes to run and manage a team as well as what it takes to run a ministry of this size within a large church.
2. Small Group and mentoring- In these past months I have met once a month with a group of 5 other women, as well as met with three different mentors. I had the privilege of meeting with each of my mentors once every three weeks. I have been so blessed by these relationships. I have grown in my love for them, and for Jesus. I have explored further into my life story and been healed emotionally through the adventures I’ve been on with these women and men (one of my mentors is a man).
My small group (one of my mentors is sitting right in the middle)
3. St. Mary’s of the Lake Retreat Center- In November, our Axis staff team went on a spiritual retreat at a Catholic Seminary campus in Mundelein, IL. We spent most of the day in silence, and enjoyed times together in worship and prayer. We also shared meals together and in the evening went on a nice walk outside in the chill of that fall night. The rooms we stayed in were very simple, with just beds, a dresser, desk, lamp and on the walls there was one piece of scripture and one crucifix. Although it may sound slightly dull, it was a great place for me to escape to and spend time with God, outside the hustle and bustle of the suburbs.
4. Sharing part of my story at a worship night- Every month, all of our communities (called Missional Community Hubs- now numbering well above 20), gather together for a time of fellowship, teaching, celebration, and worship. Each month there are two nights of worship called the Axis Experience; one in the burbs and one in the city, each with up to 175 or more community members.
In the month of March, our Missional Community Hubs discussed the topic of sexuality with each week focusing on a variety of categories within that topic—basically moving towards the idea of how God intended our bodies to be shared intimately, and to embrace our sexual nature and move toward a Kingdom model in our lives, giving this area over to Christ.
I was able to share in front of my community, the struggles and triumphs of my journey in regards to sexuality. God has done much work in this area of my life as tragedy, and bad habits afflicted me at a very young age. I was able to be a part of something bigger than myself and openly convey my sin, as well as God’s blessing, provision, love and protection in my life. That night is one to remember and cherish forever. If you would like to hear my story, please let me know and I can get you a copy.
5. My niche in the world of Ministry- As time has gone on in these past few months, I have learned so much, and one of the most important lessons has been developing, and is now pretty concrete in my heart and mind. I have learned that my best fit is not within the walls of a large church (or maybe any church), but rather out with people, specifically children and families. The past five months in particular, I have been developing a dream with the help of a very dear friend, my small group, some advisors, and of course Jesus. Now it is time for me to walk towards this dream and I am elated! (I know you are waiting with baited breath to know… it will soon be revealed!)
To conclude this letter, I would like to thank all of you for all that you have done to support me through these last 9 months. Without all of you, I would not have been able to be a part of this program and learn so many valuable life lessons and have so many great experiences. Thank you for investing in my life with your prayer, thoughts, love, and financial support.
I would like to give a special shout-out to all of my support from GUMC. Thank you so much for holding me up in prayer, supporting me financially, and for the prayer quilt. I sleep with it and it helps me remember God’s love, faithfulness and provision. It has been great knowing you were all rooting me on from afar.
To everyone else, I thank you so much for sacrificing in these hard times with your time and money. I have been provided for so well in these past months, never having to worry because of your faithful and steady support. This experience has been one that is priceless and very treasured. Thank you and God Bless You!
Most Sincerely,
Liz Porter
XOXO
All of the interns and our staff. In the middle is Tyler, our 3yr intern graduate
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