PIONEERS FOR CHRIST
Step 1: Introduction
BECOMING A STAFF MEMBER FOR PIONEERS FOR CHRIST
Introduction to Pioneers For Christ and our Summer Camp Ministry
Greetings, from Pioneers For Christ.
The next few pages are an introduction to our Summer Camp Program for those interested in Counselor Training Program (CTP) and Camp. We appreciate your desire to serve on the Staff at Camp. We believe that it is just as important to build a great Camp Staff as it is to put together an exciting and engaging Camp Program. Therefore, at Pioneers For Christ, we believe it is critical for every member of our team (Counselor or Gofer) to fully participate in our summer-long Counselor Training Program (CTP).
THE THREE LOVES
In general, in order to be eligible for the Counselor Training Program (CTP), we require that each Staff member:
- Loves the Gospel (understands what it means to "preach the Gospel" to him/herself daily);
- Loves Ministry to others, particularly, to children and youth; and
- Loves Camp.
Of course, there are minimal requirements that we believe are more negotiable, but should be used as a less-critical guideline:
- Age Recommendation: Each candidate should be able to engage at an emotional, physical, social, and spiritual level relative to other members of the Team; we strongly encourage each candidate to consider applying after one year of college-level education (or the equivalent of one year outside of high school, if the candidate chose not to attend college); and
- Driving Flexibility: Each candidate should be able to participate at all levels of his/her placement on the Team; we strongly encourage each candidate to be able to attend all mandatory meetings and events with a guaranteed mode of transportation.
JESUS, THE GOSPEL, AND MINISTRY
Jesus Christ chose human disciples to first experience, and then share, the Gospel. We seek partners in this ministry who desire to (and have been trying to) share "the love they received from Christ" in a way that "Christ would be honored", and would be willing to learn more of what it means to center one's life around the Gospel, and do Gospel-ministry as a team. To better prepare ourselves for Christ-centered ministry, we provide the Counselor Training Program to encourage personal, Gospel-transformation (which is to "seek to know Christ more"); some fruits of transformation would lie in the power to live biblically-wise lives in the context of community.
We desire those who are motivated for this ministry--those who would rise to the challenge of learning more of Christ and His ministry in this special context of Camp, to children and youth. As the nature of our ministry is about personal care (and, of course, fun), we desire counselors who have a genuine love for children and youth. It's true--we do not desire the brightest, nor the most physically able, nor the most outgoing personality (simply having these qualities does not qualify you as a good counselor at PFC, or even a leader in the world, for that matter); we've turned down Staff candidates that many other ministries would embrace, and we've developed deep partnerships over the years with people who never stood out in any ministry. Why? Because we believe that it isn't about skills, or knowledge, or "who" you know, or how long you've been around...we believe it's about transformed character and teach-ability (humility).
Although physical perseverance is needed to endure the summer's training and ministry, we hope for growth in character, humility, and love, since that is the only thing that will enable a counselor to make it through two weeks of Camp--not personal will and ability to "suck it up", but a genuine love that comes from a transformed heart. We believe that a ministry driven by personal "goodness" looks very different from a ministry driven by Gospel-transformation; personal "goodness" has limits and is driven by obligation, whereas a ministry driven by the Gospel springs out of joy and freedom (and there is a visible difference).
TRUE COUNSELING IN OUR WORLD
We want to encourage our Camp Staff of two realities:
- We all struggle trying to live with Christ-in-mind in a fallen world, struggling with our sinful nature (what Apostle Paul sometimes calls "the flesh"); we are all sinners, and our sin is greater than we could ever imagine;
- If you are a believer, you are a child of God, and the resources of power and joy are sufficiently found in Jesus Christ. What does that mean? God's grace is greater than you could ever dream.
Therefore, the purpose of our counsel is to set others free, and to practically demonstrate Gospel freedom and love in Christ.
Let us discuss life and faith together (in person, phone or email).
For immediate questions, email questions@pfc.us.
Providential blessings, as you consider applying to become a member of our Team.
Grace and peace,
Donny Cho, Executive Director
Pioneers For Christ