CENTER for STUDENT MISSIONS

Lauren Aubin

Lauren is from Boise, ID. She is entering her sophomore year at Boise State University where she recently changed her major to Theatre with a Design and Performance emphasis. She has been to Portland (OR), Salt Lake City, and San Francisco (her first and only CSM trip thus far) on mission trips. Lauren has lead a small group for senior high students, organized and executed volunteer activities for students around the Treasure Valley, and supervised students while on a mission trip to SLC with her church. She loves going out to eat at new places, taking a walk on sunny days, shopping, heading to museums and historical sites (Philly will be great for this!), singing, and acting. “My goal, while in Philadelphia, is for people to be loved like Jesus loves; to be a salt and light, to be weak so that Christ’s strength can shine through. Personally, I look for renewal in my relationship with the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ and God the Father!”

Nicole Engelhardt

Nicole is from Langhorne, PA. She is a senior at Vassar College in New York studying Biology and Secondary Education. This is her first time serving with CSM, and she is really excited! Nicole has done a similar program in Los Angeles working with middle and high school students in preparation for doing service in Tijuana. Some of her favorite moments have been the mission trips to Maine with my youth group. She has also gotten to do some really awesome service days in Philadelphia. Some of Nicole’s hobbies include playing lacrosse and the guitar. On campus, she organizes the Christian Fellowship’s weekly meetings. “This summer I am excited to get to know the students coming each week. I’m also passionate about breaking down the divide between the city and the nearby suburbs.”

Kelsey Eriksen

Kelsey grew up in the lovely town of Hutchinson, KS. She just graduated from the University of Kansas, where she majored in Marketing and minored in Religious Studies. She’s been on several mission trips, four of which were taken through CSM to Chicago, Houston, and New York City (twice!). She has also worked with youth the past two summers as a counselor at Westminster Woods, a small church camp in Kansas. A few of Kelsey’s favorite things are enjoying the outdoors, good conversations, live music, learning new things, and coffee. “This summer I can’t wait to serve God and share Christ’s love with the people of Philadelphia alongside the youth that will visit CSM! I’m excited to learn more about what it means to “love your neighbor as yourself” and to be God’s hands and feet in the city.”

Benjamin Johnson

Ben was born here in the U.S. twenty years ago then moved to Papua New Guinea in the sixth grade. He spent middle school and high school there, then returned to the U.S. for Grove City College where he has been studying Philosophy for the last two years. At school he is a member of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Students Excited About Diversity, and lead a group called Steel City Ministries that partners with a church in Pittsburgh to hand out lunches to and hang out with homeless folk. Last summer Ben went on a six week trip to Cairo on the InterVarsity Global Urban Trek where he lived in a slum community and interned with a local orphanage and school. He likes reading books, laying in his hammock, coffee, tea, doing nothing with people he loves, playing checkers or backgammon, sewing, and gardening. “In my time with CSM I hope to better understand some of the complex issues of poverty and better understand where God wants to place me in his plan for the redemption of the world.”

Ruth Ribeiro

Ruth is a Dutch, Brazilin, American born in England. She moved between four states and the most recent one that looks like a mitt (Michigan)! She graduated with a Bachelors in Fine Art with an emphasis Studio Art from Calvin College. Ruth has done a few mission trips - the first was with CSM in Chicago. Others include going to Brazil and working with kids from the slums. One of her favorite things was helping out in a soup kitchen. Some of Ruth’s favorite things to do are making/talking Art, and enjoying a good cup of tea. “I love working with people and encouraging them in their pursuit to deepen and live out their love for Christ. In my time with CSM I can’t wait to see the spark that happens when a new way of living for Christ is seen!”

Megan Skedzielewski

Megan was born in Philadelphia and raised in Sicklerville, NJ. She graduated from the University of Delaware, class of 2010! She studied Exercise Physiology and will be attending Thomas Jefferson University in the Fall of 2010 for Physical Therapy school. Megan has been on mission trips before to Kentucky, New Orleans, and Honduras but never with CSM and is thrilled to be on staff and share in this experience! Her main interests are learning about God and people, sports (Go Phillies!), playing basketball and going “down the shore.” “My heart’s desire is to gain a deeper understanding of God and His love for His creation. I am spending the summer in the city with CSM to meet my brothers and sisters, learn from them, serve them, and most importantly love them with the love Jesus has shown me.”