Team Bios

As part of Xenia Christian High School’s J-Term experience, students have the opportunity to come together and minister as a team in a foreign country. This year, eleven students stood up to the kingdom offer --ready and willing to help serve national pastors and church members to reach more children and teens for Christ’s Kingdom.

As you “come along” with our team to Costa Rica in January 2016, we want to introduce you to these team members and understand their hearts for life and for ministry and for others.  (If you are curious, I have listed the questions asked at the bottom of this post.)

A senior at Xenia Christian and one of our two team veterans, Nicole Joy Terrell, plans to attend Cedarville University after graduation. As part of a pre-dental degree, Nicole plans on majoring in biology. 

Nicole was originally interested in going on a short term missions trip because she wants to one day become a missionary. Short-term mission trips are a simple way to "test the water" and experience a small portion of what it would be like to be a missionary. In particular, Costa Rica interests Nicole because it is a Hispanic country and she would like to be a missionary in that culture.

"I have been on three other short-term, out-of-country mission trips," Nicole shares. "Two with my church to the Dominican Republic and one with the school to Costa Rica. These trips only solidified my desire to go into mission work."

On the trip this year to Costa Rica, Nicole looks forward to seeing this team function together. "We have such a diverse group of people and personalities that I am very excited to see them mesh together," she states.

Other interests that Nicole enjoys include reading and working at a professional horse show barn. She has worked as a camp counselor at a Christian horse camp last summer, and enjoyed teaching riding lessons, archery, and a challenge course. Nicole "absolutely" loves the outdoors.  She also wants to become skilled with throwing knives.

If she were a superhero, Nicole would like to have the power to breath underwater. "I could become a crazy talented coast guard or a part of a skilled search-and-rescue team," she imagines.

"If I could encourage someone else today," Nicole says, "I would say, we all have struggles . . . . What truly matters is that because we all struggle, we can all be there for one another." 

Our other veteran trip member, Bridgett Clough,  is a senior planning to major in speech pathology after graduating from Xenia Christian. Bridgett believes that short-term mission trips are good ways to serve God, spread His word, open up one's cultural views, and help ease an individual into longer-term mission work. She has been to Costa Rica on the previous two missions trips, one of which also took ministry into Nicaragua. She has also ministered in the Spanish-speaking area of Chicago. "These trips opened up my view of others," she shares, "and opened my heart to ministry in some sort of way."

On this particular trip, Bridgett looks forward to meeting new people, making relationships with the Ticos, bonding with the team, and spreading the love of Jesus.

Bridgett's other interests include volleyball, tennis, knitting, traveling, and hanging out with friends. If she were a superhero, she would want to be able to fly in order to get to places quickly and help people as needed.

To encourage others, Bridgett says, "Take the opportunities the Lord gives to serve him in life --whether it be far away or close to home."

Matt Sullivan, a first-year sophomore at Xenia Christian, is interested in the short-term mission trip because he would like to pursue missions long-term one day. Costa Rica was an “awesome” opportunity because he has been studying the Spanish language. Previously, he went with Dayton Christian High School on a mission trip to inner-city Chicago, a trip which gave him true insight into poverty and the difference that Christians can make in the lives of those in difficult situations.

On this January trip, Matt looks forward to being able “to bless people in another country” and also participate in the opportunity to share the gospel. Matt loves interaction with other people; he is 100% people- and relationship-oriented. In fact, if he were a superhero, Matt would want to have the power of always seeing the best in rough situations. Optimism, plain and simple.

And that optimism does not come from out of thin air. Matt reminds us that “the joy God wants to give us is available to anyone who asks for it. He loves you!”

Another of our senior guys, Josh Hensley, will be graduating this year from XCHS and going on to college.  He was interested in this short-term mission trip to Costa Rica because he wants to find out whether long-term mission work might be in his future.  Costa Rica, as a country, seems to be an interesting and “pretty cool” site to explore.

The only mission trips he has been on previously were ones in the United States (Kentucky and North Carolina), so from this trip, Josh anticipates a greater impact on his life. Furthermore, he says, “I’m looking forward to playing games because I like kids and I like having fun.”

Josh’s other interests and hobbies include farming and growing plants.  He currently works at Jackson’s Farmers’ Market.  

If he were a superhero, Josh would like to have the power of flight so that he could save people from falling--whenever needed. When others are discouraged, Josh likes to remind his friends that “It doesn’t matter what you’ve done; it matters what you are going to do from here forward.”

Luke Neikirk, a sophomore at Xenia Christian, is interested in missions because, "I believe," he says, "that we as Christians are called to put our faith into action!" Luke chose to participate in this particular mission trip because he wants to see a culture outside of the continental United States. This past summer, Luke had the opportunity to roof houses in Memphis on a ministry trip. He had the privilege of talking with the owners of the home he was working on. Luke was amazed at their generosity to the workers in considering how little they had to share.

On this trip to Costa Rica, Luke is exited to grow closer to each member of the team through the opportunities the team has to glorify God together.

Luke's hobbies include being outside and sports such as biking, rock climbing, white water rafting, and camping. He loves to try new things. If he were to have superhero powers, Luke says, "I would like to have the ability to control all animals so that I would have backup wherever I was on the planet."

God is glorified more when a people admit to others their weaknesses than when they act like they have it all together. Luke reminds us that "God's love is made perfect in weakness."

After she graduates this year, twelfth grader Jamaica Chapman plans to attend the University of Cincinnati or Ohio University in order to major in nursing and minor in psychology or sociology. Jamaica chose this opportunity to minister in Costa Rica because she has been to two different ministry sites in Africa, and she “loves missions!” She feels a “huge” call to work on the mission field. "When I heard of the Costa Rican mission trip,” she says, “I jumped to the opportunity.”

Jamaica’s previous mission trips took her to Namibia, Africa. Those trips completely changed me. She shares, “My spirituality and mentality has been changed . . . for the better!” On this trip, Jamaica looks forward to getting closer to God and to her team. She looks forward to seeing how the Lord will use her in a foreign land.

Jamaica’s interests and hobbies include participating in the NAACP, as well as running track and playing volleyball--she has been part of the school teams since seventh grade. If she were a superhero, she would like to have the power of mind-control. That way, she says, “if someone wanted to commit suicide, I could stop them.”

Ultimately, Jamaica wants us all to remember that Jesus satisfies . . . EVERY NEED and WANT.

Robin Wharton is a tenth grader at Xenia Christian High School. This is her first missions trip outside of the United States, but she has worked on a team that ministered in North Carolina. That trip inspired her to participate in more ministry. That desire and the fact that her mother is an M.K. (“missionary kid”) has pushed her to minister in a foreign country. Furthermore, Robin loves the Spanish language, and Costa Rica seems to be an attractive, friendly country to explore.

Robin’s hobbies include playing sports (volleyball, basketball, and tennis), playing a variety of instruments (guitar, violin, and piano), and she is also a student pilot (yes, in planes!). In fact, if she were a superhero, she would want to have the power of flying--flying in to save the day!

To encourage us, Robin reminds, “Jesus loves you, and he always will be there no matter what happens. He died for you--he loves you.”

Part of the class of 2017, Rachel Griffith, has been inspired by the experiences of her older brother, Danny, who traveled with the team both his junior and senior years. He had shared with her his experiences and joy of the country, the ministry, and especially working with children. On this, her first missions trip, Rachel looks forward to experiencing the “same wonders as he did.” Having never been outside the country, she knows the experience will be “extraordinary.”  Specifically, Rachel looks forward to witnessing to and working with children.

Rachel enjoys reading, writing, and painting. In general, she has a love for languages, so her favorite classes are English and Spanish.

When asked “if you were a superhero, what power would you use for the good of all mankind?”, Rachel would want to be Spider-Man. “Not only is he a teenage crime-fighter, he also manages to fight his way through high school.  As for the good of mankind, it is impossible for a human to save the world, but working to save a couple blocks of NYC is more than most.”  Rachel says that, “Without trying to help, nothing will ever get better.”

Rachel reminds us that “Even though making it through the next day or week may seem like the hardest thing you will ever experience, it will be completely worth every struggle in the end. For every horrible day, there will be a wonderful day. And even a horrible day is a day that the Lord has made. Rejoice in every kind of day.”

An eleventh grade, Tyler Castle, is another student whose older sibling worked with the Costa Rica team in years past. He is interested in taking the trip because as he states, he wants to “find out how God is going to use me to serve Him.” Specifically, he hopes to lead some people to Christ, as the Lord leads.

“I’m looking forward to spreading my wings and learning how God is going to use me,” shares Tyler. He hopes to learn more about and grow closer to the other team members as well.

His hobbies and interests include spending time with his family.  He also enjoys classic cars and most importantly, playing baseball (besides having played when younger, this will be his second year on the high school team.)  If he were a superhero, Tyler would like to have the power to fix ANYTHING.

To encourage others, Tyler shares his favorite verse from God’s word, “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4.

Senior Taylee M^cEntyre hails from Georgia originally, and has been at Xenia Christian for three years. Although she does not know yet where, she plans on attending college and plans to--with whatever she studies--do it to the glory of God.

Taylee signed up for this trip because when she grows up, she would like to be on the mission field working with children. “This opportunity,” she shares, “will give me more experience.” Previously, Taylee has gone on two other mission trips to Nicaragua. She saw in those trips God working in her and pushing her to live outside of her comfort zone and help kids in an international setting.

Hobbies and interests that Taylee enjoys include singing, crafts, playing ukulele, and talking to people. If she were a superhero, she would want to be able to fly so that she could fly to any country she wanted to at any time.

To encourage others, Taylee states believes that each person should always strive to have a better relationship with God and never give up faith. “Always work hard for everything you do!”

One of the new team members, Yeonsu “Amy” Song, hails from a foreign country herself.  A senior at Xenia Christian High School, Yeon Su is an international student from South Korea and has attended Xenia Christian these last two years.  After graduation this year, she will return there--to her home of mother, father, and older brother--to study economics or business in a college in South Korea.

Yeon Su has had traveling and living experience in a variety of countries:  The United States, Canada, the Philippines, Japan and North Korea.  Her interest in taking this trip to Costa Rica stems from 1) the desire to experience yet another culture and broaden her perspectives toward the world; and 2) the opportunity to spread Christianity and communicate with others just as her own host families and friends have for her.

On this trip, Yeon Su hope to get much closer to God. “I will be helping Costa Ricans to think about God,” she shares, “and learn about Him. But I also think that it would help me to know about him himself.”

Yeon Su’s hobbies include singing (“I love karaoke!”). She also enjoys eating. When asked what superhero power she would like to have, Yeon Su shared said, “I don’t think that only the people who have physical powers are superheros. Even regular people can help others.” If she were to have a power, she would want to be able to understand and communicate with others when they needed someone to talk to.  It is a great help to be able to offer a listening ear.

How does Yeon Su encourage others? If someone makes a mistake or does not do well on a test, Yeon Su likes to remind them that the key is to strive to do better next time. Any of us will be disappointed after making a mistake, but it is more important not to get “slumped” and to keep one’s pace up to the next opportunity.  Yeon Su reminds that another opportunity will come up.  And she will be there to cheer you on!

A recent answer-to-prayer for a male leader on the trip has been fulfilled by Mr. Brian Ray, a local friend and part-time underwriter for WEEC Broadcasting.  With his wife Shari, he has four grown children--Krista (married to Miles), Meagan, Lindsey (married to Adam), and B.J.

In high school, Brian says that he “Caught the ‘missions trip bug’" doing VBS for inner city children and interacting with the youth group at West Bethel Baptist Church of Cleveland, Ohio. It was an unforgettable adventure and time of spiritual growth in which we were challenged to step away from our familiar surroundings and show Christ's love to others. “I am humbled and blessed,” Brian shares, “to be asked to join this team and witness God shape lives.”

Brian has always been fascinated with Costa Rica--the culture, government, climate--and of course, Costa Rican coffee! So when asked about his interest, he took the request to prayer level.

Eight years ago, as a youth leader at our previous home church in Traverse City, Michigan, I was privileged to be part of a team that ministered to a Hispanic church in West Palm Beach, Florida. We put on a VBS, performed service projects, and interacted with the people.

“I was most impacted by the opportunity and impact of sharing the gospel with young children,” shared Brian. “I recall unchurched boys; brothers about 5 and 7 years old, who enjoyed our VBS so much that they opted to forego a trip to Disney World! I also witnessed spiritual growth in our teens as a result of serving others.”  

On this trip Brian looks forward to “The opportunity to serve others, the joy of seeing God change lives, and bonding with the team.”

Outside this experience and working with high school or college students, Brian enjoys cooking, gardening, playing golf, catching fish and competitive games of strategy such as Settlers of Catan. He also likes working on my cars and home improvement projects.

If he were a superhero, Brian would like to have a power that would allow people to irresistibly let down their guard and be completely honest with him.  Because he does enjoy helping and encouraging others.  In fact, if you ever run into Brian, he’ll probably ask, “Can we meet and talk over a cup of coffee?

Our fearless leader, Camille Clements, comes from a family of teachers and felt the Lord calling her to teach even as a young person. She has been teaching at Xenia Christian High School for nineteen years. Before that, she spent two years as a missionary in Barcelona, Spain teaching at an international school. She has been going on ministry trips to various Spanish-speaking countries with Dayton Christian Schools since 2001.

In 2010, the opportunity presented itself to her and another trip leader to set up a new missions venue. Another co-worker, who had spent several years working in Costa Rica as a missionary, connected Miss Clements with the Salley family who serve as church planters in that Central American country. The Costa Rica Ministry trip came into being. At that time, Miss Clements was only planning on playing a support role, as a co-leader, but God had other plans. 

Miss Clements recalls, “I became the trip leader through a series of events that only the Lord could have orchestrated. I am generally a behind-the-scenes kind of person who enjoys serving and supporting, but the Lord wanted to grow and stretch me, which he has done by putting me in charge of this trip. I am always amazed that God continues to choose to use me and give me the opportunity to take part in overseas ministry. It is both humbling and exciting to be able to take young people on ministry trips and to see how God works in and through them to change lives and to draw people to himself.”

Beyond teaching and using the Spanish language, Miss Clements also enjoys reading, cooking, traveling, and participating in half marathons. If she were to have a super power, she would like to be able to transcend the limits of time and space.

Tia Reilly is a sixth-year teacher at Xenia Christian High School. In 2009, Tia moved back to Ohio with her family after serving overseas with the mission agency ABWE.  They first worked in Paraguay, South America, and then most recently, in Costa Rica for four years.  The opportunity to return to the ministry, culture, and language of “home” is also an opportunity to encourage young people in their current spiritual walk as well as a chance to share with them what life and ministry looks like outside of the United States.

Having lived there, Costa Rica is a special destination for a mission trip. Tia has also participated in missions trips to Chile, South America.  Retired Cedarville University professor Dr. Bev Monroe leads trips to English-speaking seminaries and Christian schools around the world in order to organize and digitally catalog their institute libraries.  

Married to Kevin Reilly, the couple has four children and two grandchildren. Tia’s other interests include reading and writing, piano and choir ministries, photography, and mindfulness. If she were to have a super power, she would like the ability to feel warm no matter where she lived or what the season.

Here are the questions we asked of the team members:

1. Name, occupation/student status/family, future plans if you know them.
2. Why are you interested in doing a short-term ;missions trip? What about Costa Rica particularly interests you (if anything)?
3. If any, what other mission trips have you gone on? How did it impact your life/heart/ministry/whatever?
4. What are you looking forward to on this particular trip?
5. What are your hobbies or other interests? (Or what would you like readers to know about you?
6. If you were a superhero, what power would you be known for (and of, user for the good of all mankind)?
7. If you could encourage someone else today, in any way, what would you say?

J-Term Has Arrived!

With this week of J-Term at XCHS, the team meets daily--all school-day long.  The days are filled with Bible study, songs and worship, prayer, preparing for an evangelistic mime, preparing for children's VBS programs, learning songs in Spanish, games in Spanish, crafts in Spanish -- you get the picture.

Please keep us in prayer as we learning how to work well together and so much about the culture and language of the people with whom we will minister.

   

It's that time again!

October 2015 brought together a new group of parents and students as Miss Camille Clements hosted the first meeting of the January 2016 Costa Rica ministry team from Xenia Christian High School. This year's numbers are up from last year's five; seven young ladies and four young men (the lil' bros) will invest time and energy to reach out to children and adults in Costa Rica for a valuable two weeks this coming new year.

Please pray with us as our team raises monetary and prayer support. In the months ahead, we will learn about working together as a team, about using Spanish and using hugs and using smiles to reach out to others. We will prepare Bible stories, crafts, and songs.

We need all the prayer you can afford.

Reflections of Ministry and Travel, Part II

In reflecting over our work and travels, the students shared their thoughts regarding the following questions:

1) What did you enjoy the most?
2) Fun/funny memories                            
3) What surprised you the most?
4) What message did the Lord leave in your heart...?
5) Would you recommend this trip?  Why?

Nicole Terrell--
On her first trip to Costa Rica (but not her first missions trip), Nicole shared that the thing that she enjoyed the most was getting to know the people--both the missionaries and the Ticos with whom we worked.

One thing that surprised Nicole was the food. "My goodness," she says. "I wasn't expecting it, but rice, beans, lettuce, chicken, and sour cream really grows on you."  Speaking of food, one of Nicole's funniest memories was when Lauren had taken Benadryl for her scorpion bites. She just sat dazed, staring into her cup at lunch with the most funny considering-her-food look on her face. (In actuality, Lauren was focused on removing a leaf from said cup.)

Nicole shares that God left in her heart the distinct message that this type of ministry is what she is meant to do in the future. Nicole also shares that she would definitely recommend this trip to other students. "It was an amazing opportunity to learn and grow with others--about yourself and about life"

Rachel Graver--
Returning as the three-year veteran of the group, Rachel enjoyed creating new friendships and seeing the friends whom she had met in the past. She also enjoyed being able to sit down and share the gospel with Ticos while speaking in Spanish. Being able to do this, she says was a "complete eye opener to show me that anything you set your heart out to do you can do it with God."  Rachel also shared that friendships and fellowship with the Master's team was super encouraging.

Rachel's biggest surprise during this mission trip was that she was actually able to talk the majority of the time in Spanish. She was also surprised at how well she got to know everyone on the trip.  As much as she loved the trip and ministry, Rachel shared that the biggest impression from the Lord came with the realization that "I don't have to be in Costa Rica to share the love of Christ. I need to constantly be living for the cause of Christ."

On the fun side of life, Rachel's most fun memory was when she and Gabriel would each eat so much food, they would get "food babies." Rachel's most spectacular feat came when she finished off 32 oz. of guanabana smoothie along with three huge pieces of pizza.

Rachel recommends this ministry trip to other students because it not only is an eye opener for one's own life, but also a person gets to see how God works in the lives of others and even transforms them.

Lauren Mitchell--
For Lauren, the most enjoyable part of this trip came through relationships. "It was great reacquainting with some familiar faces and meeting new people, too," she shares. The Lord showed Lauren on this trip that she can make a difference and that her life can affect the lives of others.  "I shared my testimony one day in front of everyone," she says, "and afterwards one of the older Ticos, Diego, came to me and said that my testimony really impacted his life. Even if you think you cannot make a difference, if you follow through with what is pleasing to God, He will prove you wrong."

Lauren's funniest memory occurred at one of the churches after all activities were finished. The host missionary LaMar was making a video outside the front  to show possible projects to a state-side church who wanted to come down and do construction work on it. While LaMar was being video taped, Mrs. Reilly and Lauren were caught just standing in the window behind LaMar.  Not LaMar, nor Mrs. Reilly, nor Lauren realized that the two standing inside at the window were very, very visible. There the two of them stood like frozen ghosts in the window as LaMar waved his arms to indicate to his audience various needed projects.

A not-so-funny memory for Lauren--but what distinctly became her most surprising memory--happened one morning when she pulled on her khaki shorts. She reached inside the cuff, and suddenly felt a horrible sting on her finger.  In her words:  "I screamed and I ran into my room trying to get my shorts off and then got stung on my upper inner thigh"  Lauren threw off the offending shorts, and for the next several hours, several of the team, including leaders, searched through, shook out, and repacked every single item in the girls' room.  We could not find the scorpion, but all signs and symptoms indicated a scorpion attack. So we packed up and went to our next location. At the next hotel, Lauren pulled out her blanket from her suitcase (a blanket that Mrs. Reilly had shaken out earlier), shook it out, and the "little devil" fell onto Lauren's foot. Lauren shares, "I thought it was a blanket fuzzy, but still I kicked it off my foot.  Then I heard and saw Mrs. Reilly stomp on the ground and drag her foot! She said, 'I got it!' Then we flushed him about twelve times." (Editor's/flusher's note:  actually only three times.)


Lauren says that she would highly recommend this trip to others. "It's an amazing opportunity to share Christ with others. You grow unforgettable relationships while growing closer to God! You will learn so much on this trip and it may change your life. Overall it's an amazing experience. I would recommend that no one pass it up."

Day 05: January 12, 2015 Sports Outreach at Campreverde

Every morning here greets me with the cry of howler monkeys in the trees.  But not long after that, those sounds dissipate into the sound of teens mingling and making their way through a day filled with sun-drenched, sunburning activities. Today, local teens were invited to the site where we stayed, and competitions between four teams filled the time between 9am and 5pm, with a break for lunch and later merienda. Right after lunch, all the teens (Masters + Xenia + Ticos = 80+ teens) were divided into small groups and the Gringos shared the gospel via a tract (“Is there more to life?”) and a beaded bracelet. After all sports activities, the Master’s Academy team performed their evangelistic drama to the song (in Spanish) “Break Every Chain” which was followed by Rachel Graver and Anna Nolan sharing their testimonies (translated by Kevin Salley).  Pastor Eduardo shared the gospel, and nine teens responded.

		Host missionary LaMar Salley, leaders from Master’s Academy--Ryan and Nadine

More pictures:  on Facebook (low resolution selections) or Picasa (original full-resolution).