Patrick Yoder
Senior, Purdue University
Summer project, 2010

King’s Domain Summer Project was the most incredible, life-changing experience I have ever had. At King’s Domain, I came to realize more how insignificant I am compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ and yet how significant the ways are in which God has chosen to use me to share of his unconditional love to others. Working with the inner-city kids has broadened my perspective and insight on the brokenness certain kids deal with on a regular basis and transformed my character to one that desires to serve Christ, whatever situation he might put me in, to share of his everlasting love to those in desperate need.

The best thing I took away from KDSP was love. That summer, I came to a much greater understanding of how great and powerful the love of God truly is along with experiencing a reflection of his love from all of the other staff and students there. I also saw the impact love can have on children’s lives in the span of just a few days. Love is at the core of the gospel, as it is also at the core of King’s Domain. Ever since my summer there, my goal has been to be a reflection of God’s love to others. In doing so, God has led me to have numerous Christ-centered discussions with several people beyond what I could have imagined. I have experienced how God’s love can impact my life, and I now enjoy doing nothing else but sharing of that with others.

Even though I did not return to KD for the entire time this last summer, I did go back to camp and help for nine days when I was done with my summer job. I was drawn back to KD because of the opportunity I had to minister to the inner-city children while also being able to interact with my brothers and sisters in Christ to be encouraged by their ministry through where God had placed them in His sovereign plan during the summer and even in the last year. I will always be drawn back to King’s Domain and do whatever is in my abilities to give to them what I can (financially or in service) as I see it as a place in which God is working in such radical ways in people of all ages from all different walks of life.

Nick Wright
Crossroads
Momentum leader, 2010

The highlight was unity — big time. We have students from different services and campuses that still continue to talk/do life together. We recently had a student who, after developing an appetite for Bible study since KD, asked if she could teach during service on a particular scripture she had been meditating on over the past week. It was great! We had students dealing with eating disorders and thoughts of suicide that came home and immediately confessed their struggles to their parents and received the care and help that they needed. In addition, they have started to reach out to others with similar issues to minister to them in and outside of the youth ministry.

Seeing the kids change and their hearts grow was super inspiring. Seeing the power of God’s heart for “the least of these” penetrate our students’ hearts — and mine as well — was an experience I can not put a price on. The same Holy Spirit that does random and remarkable things that we don’t expect is the same Holy Spirit that inspires and empowers people to create incredible programs that change hearts, and I believe this is one of those programs. You will never craft an experience in one hour Sunday morning or an all-day service project that will impact your students and open their hearts to be transformed the way a week at KD will.

Hannah Laskey
Momentum student, 2007—2011

I think my favorite part is having no idea what I’m doing, but God using me. It’s crazy. In all my brokenness and sin and yuckiness, God used me to make people laugh, to serve others, to show people what Jesus’ love looks like. Also, making lifelong friends. I don’t know of anywhere else that I can be mentored and mentor others all in the same day (and every day for five straight days)! I’ve been led, so I lead. I’ve been taught, so I teach. I’ve been sung to, so I sing.

The biggest thing God taught me is that you are never ever ever too far from God’s grace. God can and will use you. No matter where you are in your life, no matter what you’re doing, He doesn’t look at you and say “outcast” or “loser” or “screwup.” The way I see it, God says, “Hi, I’m so glad you came to camp. Welcome!”

I made the best decision of my life at camp. I committed my life to Christ that third summer. I mean that’s about as significant life change as you can get! But within that, I’ve met women I love so much, and I’ve already decided they’re gonna be my bridesmaids. I’ve experienced a culture that I would have never seen. I have laughed the hardest, sung the loudest, and cried the hardest that I ever have in my life.