Name: Anica Leitch
Age: 21
Hometown: Snellville, GA
School: Berry College
Major/Minor: Sociology and Anthropology
Site/s where you have served: Walnut Hill/Christ Foundry
Q: Why did you want to serve full-time as a PT intern?
I wanted to serve as an intern because I wanted to minister to youth with an organization that is faith-based. I also wanted to be serving in an organization that understands the importance of developing relationships within the community, and Project Transformation embodies this with their approach to ministry.
Q: What is the most important lesson you have learned from working with underserved children/youth?
I have learned the value of having a team. This summer I was able to serve at a greater capacity because before I was an actual ‘site intern.’ I was a team member. Besides being a part of an intern team I was a part of a much larger community of believers that included full-time staff, volunteers, financial supporters, and many other people that come together to serve in a way that enables PT to be a impactful ministry.
Q: How has PT affected your faith journey?
I would say that PT has greatly affected my faith journey. After leaving PT I have a stronger confidence in who God has made me to be. Being a part of PT meant leaving family, friends, and a lot of what I knew behind for a couple of months, and through this I was able to see that I am confident in my identity in Christ. This summer allowed me to see that my strength comes from my relationship with God, and even though my environment may change, my strength remains rooted in God no matter where I am or who I am with!
Q: How has your experience with PT helped you to better understand your gifts and your calling?
PT reassured me that I love youth! PT has also helped me realize that I also love working with families. I feel like PT reassured me that youth ministry is what I am passionate about and is what I am called to do with my life.
Q: What is your favorite part of the Project Transformation experience?
Besides growing in my relationship with God, the relationships that I developed were the most valuable part of my experience. I loved late night chats by the fountain, breaking out in song on the way to site, and starting the day off in prayer with my team. All in all, I loved how I felt such a part of the body of Christ!
Q: What are your future vocational plans and how has PT helped to shape or clarify those plans?
I am still praying about what I will do after I graduate this May. I would love to work for PT or another organization like PT! I know that I want to be like Jesus, to continue on this journey that I am on where I am focused most about being close with the Lord and then allowing this relationship to direct a life in which I can share his love in all that I do.
Q: What have you learned from living with other young adults in such a diverse Christian community?
I have learned that we live in a world where a lot of different worldviews are present. This summer I learned the importance of personal spiritual development. As followers of Jesus Christ we must form practices in our lives that allow us to grow closer to Christ. Part of this includes allowing ourselves to be stretched by being a part of a Christian community. God calls us to a relationship with him and he also calls us to be a part of a communion of saints. We are called to love one another, teach one another, and serve one another, and this is an example of what Christ did. As we are the body of Christ, we may look different and have different purposes but we all have the same head and when we come together that is when the Holy Spirit moves in life changing ways!
Q: What is the most important thing you will take away from serving through Project Transformation?
I love how intentional PT is about serving communities. PT’s intentionality inspires me and I pray that I will become more intentional in how I minister to others.
Q: What advice would you give to a young adult who is interested in serving as a PT intern?
Pray about it first, and ask those around you who know you if they think PT is a good fit for you. If you decide to become an intern make sure you get lots of sleep before you move in and prepare yourself for the time of your life!