Called to Serve

By Amanda McLearn-Montz, assistant workcamp coordinator

Photo by Don Knieriem

Growing up in the Church of the Brethren, I always contemplated serving with Brethren Volunteer Service
(BVS) for a year. I dreamed of the various places I could serve, and the ways I could make a difference. When I started college, however, these dreams fell to the wayside. I became distracted with the pressure of being a premedical student and the innumerable obligations of school and extracurricular activities.

Then, in 2012, God called and led me to work for the summer at Camp Pine Lake, the Church of the Brethren camp in the Northern Plains District. At camp, I grew closer to God while I lived in a Christian community and worked with children and youth. One of my favorite moments happened during a campfire that concluded a week of camp. The campers shared how meaningful camp was to them, and that they could feel God’s love there. At that moment, God reminded me of my dreams to serve in BVS. I realized that a year of BVS before medical school would deepen my faith, make me a better physician, and give me opportunities to spread God’s love.

Two years later, I discovered that God was calling me to serve with the Church of the Brethren workcamp ministry. When I was at National Youth Conference 2014 as a youth worker, I met people who had served as assistant workcamp coordinators. I eagerly listened to their stories, and fondly reminisced about my own workcamp experience during my summer on the Youth Peace Travel Team in 2013. I loved how the workcamp coordinators worked with youth and empowered them to strengthen their faith by serving others. The opportunities to travel, meet new people, and serve in a variety of ways also piqued my interest. After thoughtful prayer, I decided to apply. One year later, I moved to Elgin, Ill., and started my adventure.

During this time of service, I have experienced God in preparing for 2016 workcamps. When I went to Puerto Rico for my first site visit, the director and I were welcomed wholeheartedly by the congregation that we will be serving with in June. I saw God’s love in their hugs and smiles and in the pastor’s gracious hospitality. As I continue preparing with my fellow leaders, I know God will continue to guide and support us. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for this summer!

—Amanda McLearn-Montz is a member of Panther Creek Church of the Brethren in Adel, Iowa. She and Deanna Beckner serve as assistant workcamp coordinators for the 2016 season. Learn more or register at www.brethren.org/workcamps.

Originally printed in the February 2016 Simply Put: Stories of Sustaining Faith newsletter produced by the Church of the Brethren.