Meet the Maranatha Summer Missions Staff

Series: Tenth Press

by Dora Phan June 28, 2015

Jesus was sent into the world not for those who are well and have no need of a physician, but for those who are sick (Mark 2:17). Maranatha missions is a reminder of how Jesus has bent down to lift up the sick, the weary, and the broken-hearted. He came to save you and me. It is a great privilege to serve those in our communities, as someone who is just as desperate for a Savior as anyone else. What a great opportunity for our youth to broaden their vision of how our gracious and loving God works! What a sight to see our summer missions team work with kids in West and Northeast Philly, plant seeds in the “food deserts” of Buffalo, and build in the Dominican Republic. If he can use someone like me, he can use you too! Will you pray that we might think, speak, and act as the aroma of Christ, especially during these trips? 
—Andrew Chang, Assistant Director of Maranatha

My love for the gospel and urban kids stems from my youth growing up in Camden, New Jersey.   I grew up in a family where finances were meager, but the love of Jesus was taught and shown bountifully by my parents.  I came to Tenth in my late 20’s and for the first time heard reformed preaching under Dr. Boice. It opened my eyes to the Lord’s grace and unconditional love for us. Tenth was and is mission-minded, and this has been an encouragement to me as I’ve seen how God reaches out to all of us, regardless of our race, ethnicity, and economic status. I work as a Spanish teacher at King’s Kids, the camp at The City School.  Many of the kids who attend look forward to camp all year.  For many, it is the only activity they will have all summer.  I love our youth here at Tenth and look forward to seeing how God will use them to make his love for the campers known.
—Adriana Melendez, Maranatha Leader

I am a student at Auburn University in the great state of Alabama. I am so excited to have the opportunity to help serve Maranatha this summer! The Lord truly has given me a heart for youth ministry and I desire to work with teens in the future. My favorite aspect of missions is the of sense community built there. Will you pray for unity this summer as we proclaim the name of Christ? “Let all you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14) I pray that we will lovingly speak truth into one another this summer and that his love would rule over all!
—Lauren Russell, Summer Intern

I am a senior at the University of Maryland. I am excited to work for a ministry that has been instrumental in my growth and walk with God. It was on my first Maranatha mission, when I was fifteen, that I felt called to go into ministry, and where God gave me a desire to serve both his people and those that do not know him. In entering this summer, the thing I desire most is to help build relationships and invest in the Maranatha students and children who are attending the camps. In the same way, I remember other Maranatha leaders investing in me. Through the years that I have been involved in Maranatha missions, I have been encouraged by seeing several children come to know Jesus, grow in their faith, and go on missions themselves. I ask for prayer and wisdom as this summer begins and that God would show me how he desires me to serve him in the future.
—Chris Leyh, Summer Intern

Doing missions with Maranatha has allowed me to grow both spiritually and mentally. It was such a big blessing to see so many youth willing to serve the Lord.  In 2013 I worked with Maranatha in the Dominican Republic. This is the place where I know God is calling me to serve (at least for now). Lord willing, I will teach in the DR after I graduate. Until then, I know that God has  called me to do missions here in my home city. I believe that missions should be something in which children and teenagers should participate. I am so grateful to serve the youth group that had such an impact on my spiritual growth, playing a huge part in revealing God’s calling on my life. Galatians 1:15-16b says “But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles.” I ask that you pray for me that this verse would continue to be my living testimony.
—Jacquell Horn, Summer Intern

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Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: By Dora Phan. © 2024 Tenth Presbyterian Church. Website: tenth.org