CENTER for STUDENT MISSIONS

Amanda Traylor

Amanda is from Noblesville, Indiana (near Indianapolis) but attends school in Birmingham, Alabama at Samford University. She is a senior, majoring in Family Studies which she hopes will prepare her for a career in social work, counseling, or something similar. She loves working with youth and while working at a camp last summer, felt God calling her to continue to minister to that age group. The summer after graduating from high school, Amanda went on a mission trip to CSM Toronto and grew in her love for the inner city. So, the combination this summer of urban and youth ministries is very exciting for her. She likes the outdoors, reading, running, photography and art. She’s looking forward to seeing how God works in the city of Nashville this summer and is praying that he will allow her to stay focused on what He is doing through others as he serves.

Lindsay Thompson

Lindsay is a public relations major and music business minor at Anderson University in Indiana. As a senior next fall, she will also be the editor of her college newspaper. Lindsay grew up in Columbus, Ohio, so one of her goals while in Nashville is to gain a southern accent! She enjoys coffee houses, deep conversation, music, singing/songwriting, journaling, being creative, and serving God, in whatever shape that takes. She loves to travel within the U.S. and internationally; and has been to Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, England, Costa Rica, Mexico, Haiti and the Caribbean. This summer, Lindsay hopes to learn from the people in the city and to more fully understand the compassionate life that God calls us to.

Kristin Schlessman

Kristin is from Calhoun, Louisiana and is a junior English major at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA. She works with a youth group (Grace United Methodist Church) in Ruston and also with Faith Missions—an after school program for kids. She enjoys intramurals softball (playing on the Wesley Foundation Team). Her love for music draws her to lots of concerts and her favorite snack is pickles and peanut butter (yes, together!).

Emma Jones

A junior at Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia, Emma is from Cary, North Carolina. She’s studying psychology, sociology and youth ministry. She’s the goalkeeper for the varsity soccer team at Roanoke and is active in Habitat for Humanity and the Big Brother Big Sister mentoring program. For six years she’s volunteered with Appalachia Service Project and has also been on mission trips to Brazil and the Dominican Republic. She’s participated and led several Presbyterian youth retreats. Emma is excited to meet new people and experience urban ministry this summer.

Nancy Harris

Nancy is from Ardmore, Oklahoma and attends Oklahoma State University in Stillwater with a planned major of Sociology and a minor in Psychology with an emphasis in ministry. She’s been on mission trips to Waco, TX, Chicago, IL (with CSM), Colorado, and Nashville (with CSM). Her hobbies include: dance (jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical), guitar (still learning), singing, drama, art, the outdoors (fishing, camping, etc.) Nancy loves her family (mom Sophia and little sisters Allyson and Robin and dog named Tootsie). She listens to all types of music and watches movies (too much good stuff out there to have a favorite—but she loves anything with Ethan Embry, Johnny Depp, Molly Ringwald, or Julia Stiles).

Katie Ellwood

From Plano, Texas, Katie is a junior at Howard Payne University in Brownwood Texas. Her major is Telecommunications with a minor in Public Relations. She’s been on two summer mission trips to Northern Ireland and last summer participated in a mentorship program at her home church. She loves to travel, play softball and volleyball, prepare and eat home cooked meals, read books and watch movies. She’s most looking forward to the relationships she will have with fellow staffers, site workers, and group members.