Elspeth Allen

Elspeth Allen grew up in United Methodist parsonages in the North Texas Conference. Her father presently pastors the Tyler Street United Methodist Church in Dallas. Elspeth graduated from Texas Christian University in 2007 majoring in Religion, with minors in Spanish and English.

Q: Why did you want to serve full-time as a PT intern?

Elspeth: I wanted the privilege of giving back to my community in a powerful way. Helping kids helps the community and it strengthens the church. I wanted to serve these kids like Chirst serves.

Q: What is the most important lesson you have learned from working with underserved youth?

Elspeth: God is amazing and can even use me to help a kid in need. Going the extra mile can change a life forever. They don't need a handout, they need you and the need Christ. They are gifted, kind, and amazing kids who are facing challenges at a young age. They teach me as much as I teach them. They need role models, someone that cares, and to learn lessons that build their faith, character, talents, and skills.

Q: How has PT affected your faith journey?

Elspeth: It's given me boldness in Christ to do what is right and holy and loving. It has given me the everyday opportunity to see the glory of God. I'm challenged every day  to do what the Word says and see how faith and action go together. I have a much deeper prayer life than others. I'm learning how to be like Christ, how to serve, and how to give. God is transforming me in this job.

Q:How has your experience with PT helped you to better understand your gifts and your calling?

Elspeth: It has shown me what needs are out there, and the practical ways I can use my gifts and skills to meet them. I use and learn more Spanish every day. I 've been shown that I have a gift in teaching and working with kids. (And I really love it!) God's still working in me to figure out my calling and this job is helping me see God's will and connecting me with possibilities.

Q: What is your favorite part of the Project Transformation experience?

Elspeth: The small victories: when a child raises his or her grade, when a kid's bad attitude changes, when a kid does something that honors God, when a kid does something you worked hard and prayed they'd learn, when the kids figure out an answer, when kids seek God.

Q: What are your future vocational plans and how has PT helped to shape or clarify those plans?

Elspeth: That a good question! God hasn't quite told me yet. But PT has shaped me in becoming a leader wherever I will work. PT has made clear to me that I won't be able to take just any job. My plans, as PT has helped me truly see, must always be prayed about. I think I'll be doing ministry in some form, maybe a Children's Director? or missions in urban cities? I don't know, but PT is helping me explore this.

Q: What have you learned from living with other young adults in such a diverse Christian community?

Elspeth: That we need to minister to and serve each other as much as we serve and minister to our kids. We are the body of Christ, and God has chosen all of us to serve together. We can't be the church alone. No matter what someone believes, we are to love them as Christ does. It's an experience, and it can be quite awesome! Sometimes trying, but usually fun and educational.

Q: What is the most important thing you will take away from serving through Project Transformation?

Elspeth: I will never be the same again. I know a little more what it is to "put others interests before my own". (Philippians 2) I have seen the glory of God.

Q: What advice would you give to a young adult who is interested in serving as a PT intern?

Elspeth: Do it!!!

Q: If you could tell one story from your experience at PT - what story would you tell?

Espeth: Just one?? Hmmmmm......give me  a minute. I have a million, so I just picked one.  I could not be prouder of this kid named Gabriel. He came up to me as soon as he walked in the door and started talking about his day at school. This kid at school had punched his friend in the stomach and in the ribs. (Later, that kid went to the nurse and the nurse had him go to the doctor because one of his ribs was likely broken.) Gabriel went up to the bully and asked him why he did that and told him to stop. The bully got mad at him, called him a retard and some other words I can't repeat, and then threw a candy toy at him. Then he punched him in the stomach and then twice in the face.

Gabriel then had a chance to retaliate. But he didn't! He turned the other cheek. Gabriel said, "I really wanted to hit him back you know, but I didn't. I just took it and stood there and made him stop. I don't get it but the teacher got him and he got suspended from school for fighting so he won't be at school. He'll probably go to boot camp." I told him how brave he was for making the right decision. He stuck up for his friend in the right way. I told him he could have gotten in trouble for fighting if he had hit the bully back. But because he didn't, now the bully got in trouble like he deserved and Gabriel wasn't in trouble. I told him he did an amazing thing and that I was really proud of him. Gabriel nodded and smiled a little.

Later, he told me there was another bully at school that got mad at him a lot for no reason. "I stay out of his way and stuff, and he comes up to me and pushes me and tells me to watch my mouth and go away. But I don't even do anything. I don't go near him and he comes up to me. What should I do?" I asked if he had told a teacher or anything about it. He said frustratedly, "Yeah, I told the substitute lady in the gym, but she just said to stay away from him and not to do anything to him. But I did that already and he still is doing stuff and yelling at me for no reason!" I thought for a moment, and was about to make a suggestion to go see the school counselor when these words burst out of his mouth - "Oh! I know, I could go see this lady at school who's the counselor. She said we can come see her and talk to her whenever we want about anything and she can help us. Should I do that?" I was pleasantly stunned and said, " That sounds like a great idea. That sounds exactly like something you should do. Do that as soon as you can, and I'll ask you when you come tomorrow how it went." The next day Gabriel told me he spoke with the counselor and they came up with some good solutions, and that the counselor would speak with the bully's parents about his behavior. Gabriel seemed relieved. And I couldn't be any prouder of him.