If you have a teen in high school or junior high, you might be wondering, “Who exactly did my kids pie in the face at Beach Day?” or, “Who were they drenching with water balloons when I sent them to Summer Kick Off?” Well, the answer is; Matthew Henry and Sierra Baughman.

Matthew is this summer’s high school ministry intern, and he’s just as full of energy as our Hillside Highschoolers.  During the school year, he studies accounting and business administration at Saint Martin’s University, but this summer, he’s excited to get on stage and show off his dance moves at Summer Blast. 

Sierra is serving as our junior high intern. She has an incredible heart for these budding teens and is eager to learn how to best serve them through ministry. She’s going into her senior year of college at Azusa Pacific University as a Bible Studies and Humanities double major, and a Youth Ministry minor.

Both Sierra and Matthew are incredibly busy academically, but they’ve found the perfect work hard, play hard balance. Matt spends his free time on the baseball diamond training and improving his ball skills. When he’s not doing that, he’s hanging out with friends and family. Sierra also loves spending time with her friends, playing board games, and relaxing in coffee shops. One of her favorite pastimes is having, “nerdy conversations about philosophy and biblical studies with friends.” All games aside, both Matt and Sierra are eager to grow in their knowledge and understanding of God’s word in order to minister to the youth.

Both of them are also undergoing their own personal growth in Christ. At this time, Matt believes God is teaching him how to let go of resentment. After growing up in a neighborhood that caused him to have a chip on his shoulder, God has graciously transformed him from an angry young kid into a “social butterfly.” He Loves the Bible verse Proverbs 3:6, “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.”

Sierra is similarly earnest to follow God’s guiding hand. She feels that He is teaching her to rest in Him when she finds herself wedged between suffering and redemption, and she takes comfort in Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Our prayer for Sierra and Matthew is that God will give them an extra dose of strength and courage this summer as they lead our junior high and high school teens in ministry!