By Malorye McCormick
Everything done at SLAM is intentional. As students go through their SLAM week, engaging in service and receiving teachings from the Word, something meaningful happens: their hearts are softened by both the acts of service they perform and the spiritual lessons they absorb. Truly, the Lord does much with students who come and decide to give up a week to focus on Him!
In order for SLAM students to have that really impactful experience it takes a lot from the organizers and leaders of a SLAM camp. From the SLAM missions weeks that I’ve been a part of, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to learn from those in leadership positions at SLAM. Something I can confidently say about the leadership I’ve seen from SLAM is that they are there for their students throughout every part of the week. From early wake-ups, meal times, service projects, morning and evening Bible studies, worship times, and silly Late Nites specials, SLAM leaders are there through it all. Though these leaders are not just students participating in all of these events, as they have a responsibility for the youth around them.
Something that I learned about leadership over SLAM is that a leader does not just let their students stop participating when they do not want to keep serving. No, a leader encourages their students to keep going and keep serving. I've seen students become downcast or really tired on a service project before, but when a leader steps in and says, "Hey, I know you all are tired, and maybe do not feel like you can clean an elderly woman's apartment or run around an obstacle course with those youth, but we are here to serve, and I believe you can do this, and I'm going to do it with you," spirits are always raised, and students are able to re-engage in service.
Worship at SLAM is a wonderful time in which students, who have witnessed vulnerability and served throughout the day, can come to the Lord in prayer and worship. Not only are students deeply impacted by the service they give at SLAM, but they also come into SLAM weeks carrying things from home. Whether that be related to family, school, or friends, students can have a lot on their minds during their service week so inviting the Lord into their hearts and minds is a process they need help with as they draw closer to the Lord. And what I'm always touched to see during these times of worship is the leaders who come by students' sides and pray with them and for them, lifting up the burdens and cares of the youth to the Lord, praying over the students in a way that helps them to know that they are seen and known by their heavenly Father and cared for by their leaders.
These leaders, who are praying for their students and on their knees on the floor with them crying out to the Lord, are the ones who jump around with their students during worship, lift their hands up high to the Lord, or fall down on their faces. They do the hand motions to the songs and show students what it looks like to worship the Lord!
When I think of the selflessness of the SLAM leaders that I know or have met and come to know and learn from, I am reminded of Philippians 2:1-4: "Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
I do not think that the service and intentionality that I have seen from leadership at SLAM could be possible if they were not embodying this task given by the Lord in Philippians 2. Whether it be always letting students go first at mealtimes, sharing rooms with middle schoolers who may need to reapply some deodorant, staying up late, or getting up early, SLAM leaders sacrifice a lot to make sure that their students' needs are known, helping them to learn how to serve and serve well.
When I think back to my youth church camp experiences outside of SLAM, my memories of the leaders there are not of them praying for or with me or of them serving alongside me, but my SLAM memories are choked full of examples of leaders who have taught me so much about what it means to be a servant leader. Leadership is something that I am continuing to learn about and grow in. I am so thankful for the amazing examples that I have seen throughout my SLAM experiences of leaders who know God’s word and genuinely serve the students around them, modeling what it looks like to forget oneself and place others before them.
Thank you to all of the SLAM leaders out there far and wide, thank you for your acts of service, being present with students in all aspects, and for your obedience to the Lord. I'm very blessed to get to learn from you!
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