Tracy & Jeff
Both Shine Sunday School leaders, pictured here with their cute kids Mia and baby Lettie.
Wow you’re a Glory/Shine/Jireh counselor! How did this happen?!
My husband, Jeff, was serving in Teens Sunday School and I was looking for an opportunity to serve with him. So I decided to try being a group leader for Teens Sunday School, which worked out well because I was able to work with the leader for the High School girls group at the time, as she was preparing for her upcoming mat leave.
How long have you been at sccefc and how long have you been serving in youth?
I’ve been at SCCEFC since about 2007 after moving to Calgary the year before. I started serving in Teens Sunday School in 2013.
What do you love about serving in youth ministry so far? Do you have a vision?
I love that I’ve been able to serve alongside my husband - there’s nothing like coming up with a lesson plan with your spouse and bouncing ideas off each other! I also love getting to know the teens and learning about what’s on their minds and I get really pumped when they’re able to open up about their faith and their struggles.
I don’t really have a “vision” per se - I plan to keep serving until I believe God is calling me elsewhere.
What is it like serving with your teammates and Adriel?
I really appreciate the other leaders I serve with - some of us have been serving together for many years! It’s such a team effort and I truly feel that we’ve got each other’s backs. Our fearless leader, Adriel, has been a true God-send. I love his energy, approachability, vision, leadership, taste in (fur)baby names, and undeniable love for God.
What is it about being a youth counselor you find challenging?
The most challenging aspect for me is knowing how to best connect with the teens through the lesson. How can I make the lesson or truth real to them? What examples will resonate? Will they think this joke is funny? All these questions aside, I’ve found most teens (and adults!) simply want to be seen and understood so the small group time has turned out to be the most valuable.
What was your youth group experience at sccefc like? Or do you have a fun or impressing memory from youth group? How long ago was that?
I didn’t get the chance to attend SCCEFC as a youth! Though from what I’ve experienced as a leader, I’ve seen long-lasting connections between leaders and previous students, which says a lot. It’s so cool to see how thrilled leaders are when the youth and young adults they’ve taught start serving in youth/YA ministry today.
What was the last book you read? or show/movie you streamed/watched?
I just watched Shang Chi and No Time to Die and realized how much I’ve missed going to a movie theatre and theatre popcorn!
What do you do when you’re not counseling?
I’m currently on mat leave for my second baby, Letty, and will be returning to my job as an Information Management Lead next month.
What’s an interesting factoid/fun fact about you?
Though I’m not a strong swimmer - I remember being petrified of the water at my first swimming lesson as a kid - Ironically, I saved my younger brother from drowning at a hotel pool when we were kids.
How has the pandemic been for you.
The pandemic has been a mix of challenges and many silver linings. It was tough adjusting to life working from home while also caring for a preschooler all day. And it was hard not being able to see or hug friends in person. But I’m so thankful for becoming a mom for the second time and for not having to commute to work while pregnant! And the lockdowns have alleviated any FOMO I may have felt being at home with a newborn because everyone else was also at home. Zoom has allowed us to stay connected with our life group each week and host virtual birthday parties with family and friends.
What is one of your most embarrassing moments?
I remember slipping and falling in front of Jeff and his cool design classmates in university. Face palm moment for sure. Avoid wearing flip flops on a slippery cement floor!
What else do you want to say? The floor is yours!
If you think God is calling you to serve in youth/YA ministry but are on the fence because you don’t feel “ready” or “qualified”, let me encourage you by saying you don’t need to know all the answers, you will learn along the way, from God, the youth and the leaders. I’d say the most important “qualification” is to be a good listener.