SHORT-TERM MISSIONS &
DISASTER RESPONSE

(Megan Siegle of Immanuel OPC, Bellmawr, NJ, served on the Volunteer Staff at the Boardwalk Chapel in Wildwood, NJ, during the summer of 2016). I had the opportunity to serve as the Music Intern this summer at the Boardwalk Chapel. I spent my days working alongside the Program/Music Director, Sarah Buckley.

Our job was to work with the summer Music Team and visiting youth groups, to help lead rehearsals, plan songs for the nightly programs, and participate in the programs.

One of my favorite parts of the job was working with the youth groups that visited the Chapel to serve alongside us as Ministry Teams each week. We would spend three hours during the week rehearsing the songs that the group wanted to perform in the programs. The groups were hardworking and excited to share the music they had worked on. Some of them had served at the Chapel in years past, while others were newcomers to the ministry.

I always emphasized to these Ministry Teams why it is that we stand on stage and sing. Christians have a reason to sing because of what Jesus has done for us! We want those sitting in the Chapel or walking by out front to know the Jesus about whom we are singing! The words of a song can draw people in and bring them to a better understanding of Christ, but so can faces full of joy! When you see a young adult smiling, singing proudly, and worshipping Jesus on stage, you can tell that there is something different about him or her! Their new, regenerated hearts can’t help but display what God has done for them! They have the hope of eternal life, all the promises and blessings of God, and a relationship with the only One who can heal their brokenness.

My favorite thing about the summer was seeing God work in the lives of the young people serving on the Ministry Teams. When I saw smiles or bright eyes in those “youth groupers,” I could see Christ in them and couldn’t help but rejoice that God was stirring their hearts more towards Him and His work of advancing His Kingdom.

Music is a means of working for the Kingdom, and I am so thankful to God for showing me this as I worked with the visiting youth groups at the Boardwalk Chapel this summer.

PHOTO: Music Team at the Boardwalk Chapel, with Megan on the left in back row.

Visit www.opcstm.org for more testimonials from those who have served as short-term missionaries in the OPC!