Serving With Passion: SpiL’s Serve Team
Photos by Billie Throm
Article by Madeline Teeter
NEWBERG, Ore. – This spring semester, a new chapel service is being offered on Fridays called “Be Neighbors.” The service is an opportunity for students to participate in small service activities, such as writing encouraging notes on coffee sleeves to be handed out in the Bridge Café.
Pastor Rusty St.Cyr, who leads the new service, explained that his team noticed the lack of chapel on Fridays, which led to the creation of “Be Neighbors.” St.Cyr aimed to create a new service that is in line with the serve team’s goals.
“I’m always focused on keeping our inward and outward lives connected. You can lean into one over the other,” St.Cyr said. “This service is about finding balance.” He said it is important for students to realize they need to strengthen their own spiritual lives as well as pour into others.
Facilitating ways for students to serve the community requires work, which is handled by SpiL interns. The serve team consists of four interns who are led by St.Cyr. Two of the interns focus on generational connections, while the other two handle service and immersion.
Atalia Fisher, a member of the generation connections team, explained that she helps organize events such as Kids Day Out and Generation Connections. “One of the biggest challenges for me has been networking,” Fisher said. “It can be scary to put yourself out there.”
However, Fisher has been able to build friendships with the Newberg community beyond campus due to her work with SpiL, especially with the residents at Friendsview.
“A lot of what I work on personally is the Wood Ministry,” said Sarai LLontop, a member of the service and immersion team. LLontop said that students often underestimate the importance of the Wood Ministry, as many homes in Newberg rely on firewood for warmth during the winter.
Not only are the interns helping to serve others, but they have support within their team. “We call them interns because it’s half a job with tasks and half mentorship,” St.Cyr said. Fisher explained that the interns have regular check-ins with their supervisors.
“I really enjoy it,” said Fisher. “We get to meet one on one with the pastors.” When meeting with the pastors, Fisher is not limited to talking about her work for SpiL. LLontop has also found comfort in this mentorship. “The pastors are super supportive,” LLontop said.
The student interns can also turn to each other for help. “Whenever we need support, we reach out to one another,” Fisher said. Chloe Lucas, a member of the service and immersion team, affirmed this. “Everybody steps in when someone needs help.”
LLontop’s support from her team has constructively forced her to grow in her role as an intern. “It has challenged me to take the reins and see what I can do,” she said.
“Serving is so simple but so powerful,” Lucas said. “It takes self-control to get up on a Saturday morning to serve but you leave feeling so much more fulfillment than if you stayed in bed.”
Service helps others, but can also lead to personal growth. “Ministry takes adaptability,” Lucas said. “It’s been beautiful to learn how to focus on the big picture. Serve with passion and live your faith.”
“I would encourage the student body to dip their toes into service,” said LLontop. Service opportunities are available on Fridays and Saturdays for students who are looking for ways to serve. SpiL’s webpage provides information on how to get involved in these acts of service, as well as other opportunities that may arise throughout the year.
