Jessi Matson came from Sioux Falls, SD to teach the second-third grade class at City Mission Academy in Brightmoor. She expected to get involved in the lives of her students and their families; she expected to have an impact outside of her classroom. She didn’t expect that impact would also include a group of high school young ladies.
“I didn’t intend to be a youth leader,” she said. “But it was like, one thing led to the next. My relationship with these girls has really been a blessing to me and I hope it’s been that in return to them.”
Jessi’s youth ministry days started in mid-October when she agreed to drop off a group of teens from Brightmoor for a youth ministry night with Kensington Church in Birmingham. City Mission mentoring student, Britney Aska goes to the Birmingham church campus with her family and wanted to attend the youth night.
“Britney wanted to go, so I said, ‘I’ll take you,’” Jessi said
Before long, her car was packed with young people from Brightmoor who wanted to attend the weekly small and large group youth ministry nights. Soon after, she was asked to lead the small group for the girls.
“My experiences in youth group as a high school student are probably the reason why I am where I am right now,” Jessi said. “I really believe in small groups and being a part of youth ministry. Its way more than I bargained for, but I’m glad it all worked out the way it did.”
The students enjoy it, too. Angela Davis, 15, from Brightmoor and a mentoring student at City Mission, was invited to attend the small group four months ago. She’s been going ever since.
“I really like it,” she said. “We talk about issues going on in the world and how we can act on them in a Christian and positive way. I really feel comfortable with everyone I meet there. Jessi is really nice.”
The young ladies from Brightmoor include Britney Aska, Angela Davis, Taylor Brantley, Shamiya Jones and Martika Lewis. Brothers, Denzel and Marvin Taylor also attend and go to a small group for young men.
“It’s a good experience for them to interact with a different world, different perspectives and be able to share with each other and still love each other at the end,” Jessi said. “I think that’s how life really is when you grow up and its cool they’re getting that experience right now.”
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