Originally a Tennessee native, 21-year old Hannah Forsythe is embarking upon her third summer of service as a summer missionary intern with Mission Centers Houston’s Global Footprints program. “I keep coming back, I guess, because it’s different from every other program I’ve seen,” Forsythe explained at the end of a noisy lunch break this week. “The work that’s being done here is intentional. It’s about sharing Christ and it’s not just a hand out. The neighborhood is open to what we’re doing and — it’s just exciting.”
Like the 18 other summer missionary interns serving with us this summer, all ranging in age from 17 to 23, Forsythe is partnered with a specific center for the 9 weeks she spends with Mission Centers of Houston. When she first came to participate in the Global Footprints program in 2011, Forsythe served at Gano Center. The following year, she was placed at Joy Fellowship Center and this year, she is working at Fletcher Center. Her responsibilities currently include overseeing the “baby room” with newborns and toddlers while their parents participate in some of the various activities offered by Fletcher, such as ESL classes and zumba. Forsythe is also responsible for teaching the 4, 5 and 6-year olds during kids club.
In addition to the work that she does throughout the day at Fletcher, Forsythe (along with semester intern, Chris Smolarsky) fills an additional, equally valuable role as the summer RA in the women’s dorm. “This is my first time being in this type of position,” said Forsythe. “I like it. It’s interesting because I am one of the team but I also have to be more intentional about the relationships I’m building.” One of Forsythe’s favorite aspects of the RA role is the chance to encourage, support and pour into her fellow interns in order to further bolster their own ability to turn around and participate in the same process of investment in the neighborhood. “I think it’s really important to help facilitate a fun but restful time in the evenings,” Forsythe concluded, “so that we can all recharge — and then keep going.”
Between her time at Fletcher and her extra responsibilities as the women’s dorm RA, Forsythe is grateful for the chance to continue to develop her leadership skills and ministry immersion. When asked what she would relate to a high school grad or college student considering participating in Mission Centers of Houston’s Global Footprints program, Forsythe simply said: “Do it!” She then went on to highlight the fact that her own time as a summer missionary intern has helped her learn skills, such as a strong work ethic, working well underneath different authority figures and multi-tasking, that will transfer to every aspect of life outside of the short-term commitment here. Forsythe is heading into her senior year as an Elementary Education major at Blue Mountain College in Mississippi this fall; upon graduation, she plans to either pursue graduate school, a stint of overseas service — or returning as a semester missionary intern here with Mission Centers of Houston.
To learn more about the Global Footprints program or other volunteer opportunities, contact our associate director, Craig Taylor, at craig@missioncenters.org.
