Previous Alumni interviews!
Carrie Hendrickson!
1. Where do you work? What is your role, and can you tell us a little bit about what you do?
I work at Hebron Church in Penn Hills. I have been at Hebron for 16 years, with a couple different job descriptions and different roles. I was hired as a full time youth ministry associate (2001), and worked mostly with Middle School Students. It didn't take the church long to see my love for visual arts and I quickly took on media needs at the church as well. After the birth of my second daughter 2008, I went to a part time position as Youth Ministry Associate and Multi Media Specialist. In May 2016 our Director of Student Ministries resigned and I was offered (and accepted) the Director of Student Ministries in January 2017. I run the student ministry department at Hebron Church, grades 6th-12th. We run a middle school youth group and a high school youth group weekly. We partner with WyldLife for Middle School outreach and we are focusing on serving events once a month for our High School students. We run everything with a team of dedicated leaders who I meet with once a month.
2. How did Geneva's student ministry department prepare you for this position?
I think one of the biggest things I learned was that people matter, people caring for people. Terry Thomas (and others) walked beside me as I struggled with my calling; as I struggle with not being the typical youth ministry personality, being a girl, afraid of being up front and scared to do what God was asking me to do. The student ministry department walked WITH me. They modeled what it means to be in Youth Ministry, walking alongside of me pointing me to Jesus. The other HUGE thing that helped prepare me was the worldview and Bible knowledge that was taught throughout my three years at Geneva. Even though looking back I wish I listened and taken more in, I know that my knowledge and love of the Bible was developed at Geneva.
3. What is your favorite part of the job so far?
I get to see God change students lives. It is amazing, it is an honor, and it never gets old. God changes the lives of young people and sometimes i get to see the amazing work He does. Sometimes it's slow, over many years transformation, and other times it is a complete over night transformation, either way, I have the privilege to be a part of Kingdom change in the lives of young people. By far, without question, that is why I do this job and it is my favorite part of the job.
4. What are some obstacles you have faced in your church or ministry?
Definitely Pain. Walking alongside of people is painful. Walking alongside their hurt, pain and sadness is one of the things (obstacles) that is a constant hardship. Visits to Western Psych. going to the home of the youth group kid that just passed away, the kid who just over-dosed, all real things, all painful things. In those moments, in that pain, in those obstacles, there is a great truth that can be seen. God is in control. God is big and God is good. We get to speak truth in those moments that is different when that pain/obstacles isn't there. We get to walk WITH people and go through obstacles together, Painful-but an honor, and joy to see Jesus in those obstacles.
5. How do you see Christ using the place where you work to further the Kingdom?
Students are showing Jesus to the world around them. Just this week an 8th grade girl was telling me that she is starting a community gathering program in her school to help those in need. 8th grade! She is stepping out and starting change, for the sake of Christ, in her school. I have also seen God brake students hearts for the things that break His. Compassion for the homeless, the desire to walk alongside of other hurting students, and the desire to show Jesus to younger students. God continues to use Middle School and High School Students in our church to spread His name inside and outside the walls of Hebron.
6. Any advice for our current student ministry students?
Constantly remember who/what your aim is. Our aim is to please the one who enlisted us. Not to change students, not to please parents, not to please your pastor, not to fix their problems. Our aim is to please the One who enlisted us. He does the change, He does the all the hard work, we get to be a soldier, not the person in charge. And also, we don't always get to see the result of God's work in someones life. This is hard for everyone (leaders and me). Just because you walk with someone, just because you showed them Jesus, doesn't mean you get to see the change. It doesn't mean it is a loss, or that God isn't working, just means we don't always get to see it this side of heaven.
