IMPRESSIONABLE IMPRESSIONS: A Reflection on Service Practicum

by Luke Friesen

A large part of education at Columbia is learning to integrate what you are learning with the community you belong to. Each student is required to participate in a weekly Service Practicum; volunteering their time in the community. Luke, a first year Youth Work student, shares his experience.

I have learned a lot through my Service Practicum, particularly, that I have to watch myself much more carefully. Before, I could basically do what I wanted to do and I really did not have to think if it would affect anybody. Now that I am a leader and I have these young little guys watching me, I have to be carefully of what I say and what I do in my spare time. It really makes me think in what I do. Is what I do useful for anything, or anybody? That is one of my biggest challenges being a youth leader. A challenge for the best, to try and improve on myself.

I have also learned that not everyone will like me and some kids are harder to reach out to than others. There are some real ‘punk kids’ in there - real raw. Those guys are my challenge, then there are guys who are just amazing, who just need a friend. These guys just need a little push and they will be on the track for great things. Many of these kids do not have any older role models in their lives except for their mom and dad’s. Most impressions they have of older people my age are people who do not care about anything and only care about themselves and having a good time. I hope I can change their point of view and show them that we, as older members of the community and potential role models, can be better than that.

I can apply anything I do within this youth group for the future. I want to pursue youth work, and anything I learn from this I can apply for the future. I am pretty sure right now that God has called me to become a youth worker, and so I want to be as great as I can be at it. I have never done anything like this before I started working with this youth group, so any experience is a good experience, because it is all learning for me.

Luke Friesen is in his first year of the Youth Work Program and is completing his Service Practicum working as a youth leader at Northview Community Church in Abbotsford. When he is not volunteering with youth, Luke moonlights as Clark Kent. 

To learn more about Youth Work at Columbia, visit www.columbiabc.edu/youthwork. 

SHAPING A LIFE OF SERVANTHOOD

with Becca Beusekom

Followers of Jesus understand that service is a way of life, so why should time at college be any different? In students' first year at Columbia they participate in a Service Practicum. Though volunteer work, these service learning opportunities enable students to get involved with the local community in a variety of contexts. The sky is the limit when it comes to areas of ministry. Becca, a current Caregiving and Counselling student, shares about her Service Practicum working with youth.

"I always thought that to make a difference I needed an education or some kind of training. However, through my service practicum working with youth, God has taught me that he can use me whichever way he sees fit and is not limited by my skills. I am learning to trust that God knows what he is doing and I am called to do what he asks me; he will use what I have for His glory. God has equipped me with what I need for my journey, all I need to do is continually draw from his word and be renewed in his strength daily.

Becca with some of her youth

I believe that to make a difference in peoples lives I need to have a servant's heart. Volunteering as a youth leader is teaching me to be humble and have the attitude of a servant. I try to mould myself after the greatest servant of all, Jesus Christ. I hope that, in striving to be more like Christ, I can somehow make a difference. The things I am learning during this practicum will carry with me throughout the rest of my life. The challenges and joys of this experience are shaping me into the person God wants me to be. When I leave this youth group I will take these lessons with me."

Becca Beusekom is currently enrolled in the Caregiving & Counselling program. To find out more about Service Practicum and other service learning opportunities visit www.columbiabc.edu/servicelearning.