By Aaron Ziebarth, Executive Director
One of the privileges of serving and training young people is seeing how God uses them around the world for His Kingdom purposes. Following is a note we recently received from one of last summer’s senior counselors:
Hello Aaron & Stephanie, 
I am very excited for this upcoming summer to be doing campus ministry. The internship is held during Penn State’s six-week summer session for incoming freshman, but even after the internship I will continue to serve my Christian fellowship at Penn State. I appreciate your prayers as I am raising support and preparing for this summer. I truly mean it when I say that without my summer at Camp Joy El, I wouldn’t be doing this internship. God used this past summer to shape my heart into a man who lives for Him. He broke me down to the core during the _______ week, and when I cried out to Him He worked in amazing ways. Even though I will not be coming back this summer to Camp Joy El, I can tell you that it will always hold a special place in my heart. I’ll be praying for Joy El to receive the camp counselors that God wants to be there this summer. Thank you for all of your encouragement, Aaron and Stephanie.
Sincerely,
Michael Sutherland
Michael gave us permission to reprint not only the above note, but also his ministry update (below). Please consider sending a gift to support his ministry at Penn State. Giving information is also included below.
Michael Sutherland
1679 ILona Dr.
Hellertown, PA 18055
(484)-892-9845
Tullian Tchividjian challenges all believers faiths when he says “Jesus + Nothing = Everything.” This past year has been all about resting in Jesus no matter what the circumstance. To say to myself that I am letting go of my life and letting Jesus take over has been challenging but amazing. He has been showing me that he will open the doors to where he wants me to go in the future. Through all of this I am excited to share with you the opportunity that I have to minister with DiscipleMakers this summer.
As some of you know, I have been involved in the campus ministry of DiscipleMakers as a student at Penn State. I grew up in a Christian home where I was taught all of the rules to follow but I never experienced the power of the gospel in my life.
However, this last year God has begun to mold my heart into a man who knows how much of a sinner he is but how deeply he is loved in the grace of God. Every day I am feeling more joy through the work that God is doing in my life and I now can see the bigger picture of all that he is doing. My goal in life now is to reflect the light of Jesus to everyone around me because in him is true life. God has used DiscipleMakers to transform my life and it brings me great joy to have the opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ this summer at Penn State.
DisciplesMakers began in 1981 with Bill Dripps reaching out to college men and leading Bible studies at Penn State. Bill continues to serve the ministry as president and CEO, and today there are close to 60 staff serving with DiscipleMakers at ten campuses in Pennsylvania. The vision and misson of DisciplesMakers comes from Matthew 28:18-20 where Christ called us to make disciples of all nations. DiscipleMakers believes God has strategically prepared college students to respond to that call.
Staff workers and interns with DiscipleMakers are involved with campus outreach, leading Bible studies, student large group meetings, discipling men and women one-on-one, and helping to raise up student leaders. In just a few months, we’ll be reaching out to summer school students and preparing for new students to arrive in the fall.
It has been a joy to be involved with DiscipleMakers as a student and be a part of helping others grow in their knowledge of the Lord! I’m eager to do this in a full-time capacity as an intern. I am hoping to raise $6000 for my ministry with DiscipleMakers.
Would you prayerfully consider contributing $250 to support my ministry with DiscipleMakers?
If you use the card, simply mark your preference for the “Sutherland ministry” and send it with a check made payable to DiscipleMakers. I will plan to call you soon to ask if you have any questions. Please feel free to contact me also if you have any questions. Thank you for considering how you can be a part of this world-changing mission.
In Him,
Michael Sutherland
