By Rick Wolcott*

Carragan Deeks has been selected to be a global justice volunteer. She is a member of Lodi United Methodist Church (Firelands District) and is a senior at Cloverleaf High School.

The Global Justice Volunteers Program of the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) is a short-term service opportunity for young adults, ages 18 to 30. Teams of volunteers from around the globe spend eight weeks in the summer working with grassroots organizations in their assigned country to explore the links between faith and social justice.

Why was it important for you to apply to be a Global Justice Volunteer?

Carragan: “For the past few years, I have felt God calling me into mission. I have been on several mission trips and each trip I have grown deeper and deeper in love with mission service. Over the last year, I have prayerfully considered becoming a Global Justice Volunteer and after returning from a mission trip this December, I felt God telling me to follow through with it. There are so many social injustices in this world and I know with God as my strength I can make a difference in the world through the Global Justice Volunteer program.”

What were your reactions when you got the news?

Carragan: “When I got the news that I was selected as a Global Justice Volunteer I felt pure joy. I had been waiting for several weeks to find out if I was accepted or not and through that time the verse Exodus 14:14 which says, “The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still,” truly came to life. The Lord did indeed fight for me and it such a blessing to be given the opportunity to serve Him in the capacity that I will be serving Him this summer.“

What are the next steps for you as you prepare to serve in this capacity?

Carragan: “My next steps to prepare to serve is to complete a one week training in South Korea before beginning my two month appointment!”

Where will you serve?

Carragan: “I have not received the exact location that I will be serving, but I do know that it will be in Southeast Asia or Africa!”

*Rick Wolcott is director of Communications for the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.