Luke Prince
Bio:
- Hometown: Elbert, CA
- Served: Oakland, CA 2004-2005
- Did Mission Year: After College
- Where They Are Now: Oakland, CA
What made you decide to do Mission Year-what was the draw for you?
I decided to do Mission Year because it followed the basic principles that I wanted to live my life by- humbling yourself to serve and live among the poor. That is exactly what Jesus did and exactly what I want to do with my life.
Describe the types of service and outreach you were involved with during your Mission Year.
During Mission Year I had two volunteer sites. One was at a local middle school and one was at a local ministry named World Impact. At the middle school I was a volunteer teacher's aid and at the ministry I helped run their boys club, worked at their thrift store, and in the summer helped coordinate and run a summer program. On weekends I often took kids out of the city on fishing, hiking, and camping trips.
How are you different from having lived for a year in the city?
First off, I am currently living and working in the inner city of Oakland at World Impact, just a few blocks from my MY house. I have grown so much to love the kids here. They want so badly to be loved, and it is such a blessing to be able to be there for them and love them.
How has your Mission Year experience affected your future plans and goals?
Before I did Mission Year I never thought I would want to work with kids or do a lot of ministry in that area. After volunteering for a year in a school and with a boys club, my thoughts have changed and my goal is currently to become a teacher.
What did you learn about God during your year? What did you learn about yourself?
I learned that God's grace and mercy are bigger than we can understand. When you live among the poor and see their hardships, you are humbled. It's easy for me to look at myself and know that if I were born and raised here, I would likely be one of the people that I am ministering to. When I live in that realization, my compassion and my desire to see Christ in them radically changes.
Can you give some words of wisdom to potential team members?
Don't try to do everything, and take time away for yourself. Looking back on my year my one regret was that I didn't spend more time alone, gaining solitude for myself in order to reenergize. All year long I tried to do everything and be everywhere, especially with my teammates, and it made me very tired. Slow down, and remember that God gave you yourself to look after first.
