Camp, Calling and Kid's Ministry | Trinity Talks

Hello everyone and welcome to this week's episode of Trinity Talks. My name is Kyla

and I'm the online engagement director here at Trinity. And this week I am sitting down

with our brand new Children's Ministry director, Megan White. So Megan, welcome to the podcast.

Thank you so much. I'm happy to be here.

Yeah. So I thought it would be great to just take some time to get to know you a little

bit and so that the folks in our congregation can get to know a little bit about who you

are and what makes you tick.

That's a great idea. I'm excited.

Yeah. So maybe you could just start by telling us like what's one thing that we need to

know about Megan, like one fun fact or something we really need to know.

One thing you should know about me is that I really like to eat.

That's the funnest fact about me I think. I'll eat absolutely anything. I love trying different

food. My family jokes that my love language is food. Like don't give me a hug or give

me a compliment. Give me a snack. I'll just eat absolutely anything and I love nothing

more than sitting down and eating with people. So I hope I get to sit down and enjoy a meal

with some people at Trinity sometime soon.

Okay. That's great. Do you have like a favorite food or snack?

Oh my goodness.

I mean there's lots of options.

So many things. I will eat anything. I'll try absolutely anything. I'm a big fan of Indian

food. My best friend's Indian. I get a lot of really, really authentic curries from them.

It's so good. So probably something like that.

Okay. Great. We will keep that in mind.

I appreciate that. Yeah. Definitely not putting this out there so that everybody knows what

snacks I'm like. Definitely don't have a different motivation there.

Yeah. So maybe you could tell us a little bit about your sort of faith journey.

Yeah. Absolutely.

So when did you first hear about Jesus and when did you decide to follow Jesus?

Yeah. And I'm really excited to share it too because I think it really relates to the work

that I'm doing in kids ministry here because I actually came to know Jesus at a summer

camp. Okay.

I did not grow up in a Christian family. I have a wonderful family, but they didn't go

to church or anything. And so I went to this summer camp called Silver Lake Camp. It's

up by King Carden. It's very small. Nobody knows what it is. And my best friend was working

there and she said, oh, you would just have so much fun. Like there'd be kids and there's

games and everything. And I distinctly remember thinking to myself like, isn't it a Christian

camp?

Like, I don't know if we're going to like that. Like a little 15 year old me doesn't

know how she feels about that. She's like, oh yeah, but like you won't even, you won't

even notice. Like it'll be fine. And she was very wrong because I did notice in the very

best way. I went there and I volunteered in the kitchen and I just had the best week of

my life. It was just so much fun. And the reason that it was so much fun is not just because

I got to cook and eat all the food, which we've established that I like to do. But I really,

really love the community. I remember thinking to myself like these people just have something

different. There was just this different piece about them. They were just, they were also

authentically loving and kind to each other. And I had never experienced that before. Like

I remember for example, the head counselor was working with a particularly challenging

camper who was just having a really hard week and like being super physical and just having

a really hard time. And then like five minutes later, I saw that same counselor sitting in

the staff lounge, just like reading the Bible, like very chill. And I had just seen her like

wrestle a camper, like prevent him from like running away and like hurting other people

and things. And I was like, oh my goodness, are you okay? Like that was crazy. I saw everything

that happened. That must have been so wild. And she's like, no, like I'm good. What do

you mean you're good? I just saw it. Like I know that you're not good. Don't lie to me.

And she said, no, like the camp really puts into perspective. I really need Jesus. I was

thinking there's something on that. Like I need to know about that. So I, I got a Bible

from their little staff lunch. I still have it. And I just sat down and read and I don't

know if there's one particular moment, but I remember I was reading first, John, and

just about how God is love and how he's shown us his love in Jesus and how he wants to be

reconciled to us. And, and we tell the campers all week, all of those good messages. And

I remember thinking like, I need this and somewhere in there, I gave my yes to Jesus

and I haven't looked back. That was 10 years ago now.

Wow. Yeah. Yeah, that's great. Yeah. Thank you.

And definitely like really then leans into like your passion for kids ministry, camp

ministry and that sort of thing. Yeah. I mean, I was told about Jesus at a kids ministry.

So I really believe that it's powerful for me. I was a teenager at the time and for me

and for the kids and yeah, and I got, and I got to go on and work in camps in different

settings for a long time. So I'm really passionate about it.

Yeah. That's great. Thank you. Yeah. So you got to know Jesus a little bit more at this

camp. So what has your faith journey looked like sort of from that moment until now?

Yeah, because it's been 10 years. So there's a lot of times since that initial moment.

Um, yeah, I'd say it's been, it's been a rocky road, I think as it is for everybody,

but, but like, but so good. Um, it's just been like this refining process with God.

Like I think he needed to get that message to me that he loved me as I am like right

right there in that camp and that in that staff lounge. Um, and I just needed to know

that he was there and that he cared for me and that he was this good father. Um, I went

to university after that point and university is a little crazy sometimes. And so I think

it was this process of like then suddenly being aware that there was a God guiding me

through this life and allowing him to do that important work of guiding me because I think

I was really ready to just take like the, there's a God and he loves you and he sent

Jesus to die for you. I was like, that sounds great. Cool. I'll keep going. And God's like,

wait a minute. Like I'm actually, I'm not done yet. Like quite not done. And so I go

through university and just feel like the different polls. Like for example, I was

studying English literature, which I love. I love writing. I love stories. It was so

much fun. But I felt like this really strong pull when I was thinking about what do I do

after with this? Cause I thought, oh, I'll be a writer, journalist or something exciting.

And I felt like he was saying like, I want you to do ministry. Like I want you to work

with people. I want you to take care of these, my sheep. And I was like, that's not what

I studied. Like I don't want that. Nope. So I said, no. Um, but I couldn't get away from

it. Like this feeling that I was called to ministry to something more. And it took a

few years for me to realize like why he wanted me to do that. But more importantly to realize

that he is trustworthy in his calling of my life. And that when he guides me into certain

behavior and to certain paths, it's because it's for my good. Um, and it's because he

knows best what, um, is going to be good for my life. He knows best, um, for me. And so

I did make that switch and I had a bunch of other fabulous jobs. Um, afterwards more focused

on ministry and working with people. Um, and I just enjoy it so much. And it's part of,

it's part of what brought me to this job here to do ministry. And, and it's no, it's not

what I would have planned for myself, but I have so much peace about it. Like I'm just,

I'm just so excited to, to work with people, especially kids and just be with them on their

journeys. And so that's, that's definitely one part of the process. This is refining

and this allowing him to really be the Lord of my life and lay down the other things,

um, trusting him. Yeah. Yeah. For sure. And you mentioned this idea that like God is trustworthy

and God's calling of you. And I think it's also that, that moment where we recognize

that like God is trusting us.

That like we are somehow trustworthy or even if we're not worthy, God trusts us anyway.

He does. Right. And like gives us this calling that says like, no, you can't actually go

and like do these good things. Yeah, it's beautiful. Yeah. Because he's God. He could

do anything. Right. But, but he chooses to partner with us. He's just so, he's just so

deeply relational and wants to work with us in that way. And when I've done different

jobs in ministry, like at a shelter that I worked at, for example, like just listening

to the different women who came through that ministry and like, and like co-laboring with

him in that, like paying attention to what, what he might be saying and, and really diving

into scripture to understand like how I can love these women really, really well. And,

and that was just really illuminating. Like, yeah, he trusts us with these different ministries.

Um, and it's, and it's amazing, um, that he would put us in that position and that we

can grow close with him through that opportunity. I think it was amazing. Yeah. And I know for

myself and thinking about, yeah, just getting to do ministry as a job, like it's also partly

like I have had so many people pouring into me and like now I get to like pour that out

in other people. Right. Like that whole sort of reciprocal thing where it's like God has

given us these people, these gifts, these like things. And now we get to like actually use

that and do some like really cool things in the world. Exactly. Yeah. Absolutely. And

I mean, it's, it's very good news. Yeah. We are fully, we are fully redeemed to, to relationship

with the God that we are created for. Like I want, want people to know that like when

people are kind and told me that and that one girl at camp told me that Jesus is what

she needs. And, and because of that, I have everything that I need and I have a relationship

with God that I was created for. And so of course I want to tell people about that. Like

it just feels like it feels like being penned up. If I don't tell me, it's just this natural

like flowing, like people have told me the good news and like God pours into me and heals

me and restores me and like, and to get to pour out to other people is just a pleasure.

Like it's just, it's just a joy. It's like, it's just fulfillment is all I want to do.

Yeah. Oh, that's awesome. Thank you. In these 10 years, there's been one sort of moment that

really stands out as like, this is a significant moment in my faith journey. Yeah. That's a

good question. There's so many, right? Because the throw with God is just so beautiful and

complicated and difficult and good. I really, my baptism was a really big deal, which feels

kind of basic when it was, it was so spontaneous. Just a friend of mine and I were talking and

this friend is like, I was praying for you and I just really feel like you need to be baptized.

Like I feel like God was telling me that really clearly and I'm like, I don't know, I don't really

have it all worked out in my life because I thought of baptism as like, this is like, I'm going to be

the good Christian now. Like I'm going to have it in order. I'm going to go with it. And there

was still stuff I was like working through my life. I'm like, I'm not, I don't have it all

together. I'm not perfect. Like you don't want me for this. And I remember this friend said,

like, yeah, and I prayed that to God and God said, like, but she can't do it without me.

And I was, I was just struck by him like, yeah, absolutely. And it was like the next day I got

baptized and it was just, it was so meaningful and beautiful and just this important moment

of God is with me specifically when I don't have it together. Like he is always with me.

I'm a bit of a mess as every person is like, we all have our stuff. But he sees me and he loves me

exactly as I am right now, no matter what. And so that was a big turning point for me. And

baptism is a big deal for everybody who does it. Yeah, for sure. So yet you've been working at

camps as you sort of mentioned for a while. So maybe you can share a little bit about what have

you been doing prior to coming to Trinity? Yeah, absolutely. Kids ministry. Yeah, I love kids.

They're so much fun. I can't wait to meet the kids here because I haven't gotten to yet. And

yeah, I've been working at the camp. So I from that point, I guess my testimony that I shared,

I worked as a counselor for a couple of years, I worked in integrations and working with campers,

especially on these, which I just love so much. And then I went on to direct another camp for four

years, which I was really excited about just down on Lake Erie. And that was so much fun. So kind

of like getting to see the bigger picture of camp. And in between camps, because campus is not all

year, even though I want it to be, I would work in different kids ministry. So I worked at City

Kids and Hamilton, which is the beautiful organization that puts on like big shows and

activities for all kinds of kids living in the downtown core. And I also worked at an organization

called Michael House, which is a pregnancy and parenting support center in Gualt. So I would

hold babies all day and hang out with little kids. And it was the best. So just kids, kids, kids all

the time. And yeah, now I'm here because I want to be able to tell them about Jesus explicitly.

And I'm really excited about that. Yeah. What has sort of led you to now at this point come to

Trinity? Yeah. Yeah. I really want to do full time ministry. Like I talked about, it's really what

I feel God is asking me to do is to further his kingdom coming specifically in his church. And

I'm just so honored to get to work in the church. Like I think I've, because I didn't grow up Christian,

I've always felt like a little bit like an outsider. And I know that that is not God and that is not

the truth, but that's how I feel. And so like, and so like working in the church is just like

this amazing opportunity. Like I'm just so honored that I get to be part of building God's house here

on earth and be a part of an organization that just gets to talk about him all the time.

And I did some work at, like I said, different shelters and organizations. And it's beautiful.

I'm really excited to specifically disciple. I think the word disciple has really been on my

heart lately, just to get to not only be there for people for the kids to love them well and

to care for them overall, but to specifically get to tell them about Jesus. I always really

loved camp because that was my one outlet where I got to explicitly share the gospel. Now I get

to do it every week. I'm so excited about it. Like I just, I'm so excited to talk about Jesus all

the time, like reading my Bible is part of my job. Like, how is that? Was that a job? Like,

I just do that. It's just so fun. And yeah, I got connected to the church through a friend who knows

it. And I just connected with the team so well. It just, it just really felt like the place where

God wanted me to do this ministry that he's called me to. Like it's almost like any how,

how he lined it up for me. Like it's very clear and direct. So yeah.

So what's something that you're really looking forward to while you're here at Trinity?

Yeah, I want to meet the kids. I don't hang out with kids. I've got, I've got games plans. Like I

love camp. I like the crazy games. I like the big games. I like the quiet crafts. I like everything.

I just want to, I want to get to play. I think I'm so excited to get to be in children's ministry

because I think that's where it's at. I think that's where the fun happens. I think it's for the big,

big faith moments happen. Like I've just seen it time and time again, and I just can't wait to get

in there and just hang out with the kids. I'm excited that I get to meet with them every week too.

Yeah. Because I've done camp for a while and camp is great, but you hang out with them for a week,

and then they go home, but I get to hang out with these kids all year. So I'm just excited to get

to know them and hang out and play games. Yeah, that's definitely like a different vibe, right?

Very different. When you get to like build those relationships over a long period of time and

yeah, and speak into their lives like consistently. Exactly. That's what I'm definitely most excited

for. Like the kids and their parents, like just getting to know the families at Trinity and building

these longer term relationships and really looking forward to that. Yeah, for sure. So folks might

know they might not know you're going to be here for about three months. Yes. And then you're going

on another adventure for a little while. Yes, I am. Yes. I'm so excited. Some faith formation

stuff that I hope will serve my role here at Trinity really well. I'm going to be going to

a Bible school that's offered through Youth with a Mission or YWAM as people in it know it. They

offer this Bible school that travels around to the different places that the Bible was written

and as you read it. So I'll be there from April to June getting all filled up with good knowledge.

So what sort of led you to want to do that? Yeah, that's a good question. I could talk about this

all day. I just love the program so much. I just want to know God. That's it. Like it's really not,

I wanted to do it a long time ago. It's really not a career move. It's not like a strategic move.

It's like just something I want to do to just be close with him. Like I just want to know him

better. I want to devote three months to going deep in my relationship with him. Also, I mentioned

earlier I didn't grow up in a Christian family and so I didn't, I didn't get to go to Sunday school

when I was a kid. So I want to build this biblical foundation for all the work that I'm going to do

here. Like I want to get to know the word, be able to know these stories in this really cool

experiential way. So when I'm telling the kids a trinity about it, like I have, I have this

experience to tell them about, like I can share my stories of what it was like to be there.

So I just think it would, it would change, it would change everything if I saw the Bible that

way and got to experience it. Definitely. Yeah, for sure. Yeah. And so as you're coming into this

role, I know there's a lot of new things being thrown at you, lots of information to take in,

lots of stuff, lots of people to meet. So how can the trinity family sort of best support you

through this transition? That's so nice of you. Just chat with me. I love chatting. I just love

little chats here and there. Like I love being distracted by talking with new people. So this

is actually really ideal for me meeting new people all the time. I just love it. So just talk with

me. I love having conversations and getting to know people. So just come into my office and visit.

It's downstairs, but it's open. And just come in and chat and get to know me. Yeah. Okay. Great.

So is there anything else that you want to say to the folks here at Trinity?

Yeah, I just want to say I'm just so excited to be here. I'm very confident that this is where

God wants me to be right now. I just love working with kids. Kids, I am just so excited to get to

spend every Sunday with you. I'm so honored to have that experience. I'm really, really excited

to get to play some games just to get to know you. And for the whole congregation, I'm just so

honored to get to serve and to talk about Jesus every single Sunday with you. And I'm really,

really excited to dive in and be a part of what God is doing at this church because I think he's

doing really, really big things. So thank you for the opportunity, kids. I can't wait to get to know

you. And God's got big stuff, so get excited. Yeah. Oh, that's so great. Yeah. And I think

we're really excited to have you here as well. And even, you know, we haven't known each other

very long we met yesterday, but like your energy coming into this is so, so clear and so evident.

Yeah. And I think God's going to do some cool things here. Thank you. He is. He's got plans here.

He's definitely moving at this church and excited to be a part of it. Yeah. So thank you so much

for sitting down and taking this time for us to get to know you a little bit more. Yeah. Thank you.

And for those who are watching, hopefully you can also get a chance to meet Megan and maybe

go out for some Indian food or just like hang out and chat together. Yeah. And I hope that you can

also sort of in hearing Megan's passion for Children's Ministry that you get a little taste

of that as well and maybe find some ways to pour into some kids in your life. So thank you so much

for joining us for this week's episode of Trinity Talks and we'll see you next week.