More Than a Summer Job: A Glimpse of Calling Through Anna’s Story
I met Anna last year at Camp Echoing Hills, and from the very beginning, there was something different about her.
I was leading orientation training for our new camp counselors when she walked into the room. In a space filled with energy, nerves, and anticipation, her presence stood out in a powerful way. There was a light about her. Joy that wasn’t forced or fleeting, it came from the Lord and radiated from her in a way that was both unmistakable and deeply inspiring.
As the summer unfolded, I had the privilege of getting to know Anna more personally, hearing pieces of her story. What I witnessed in her wasn’t just enthusiasm for a role, it was something much deeper. She didn’t simply do the job of a camp counselor; she lived it with a servant’s heart.
Day after day, I watched her pour herself into her responsibilities. Whether she was encouraging a camper, navigating unexpected challenges, or stepping into moments that required patience and grace, she met each one with a spirit that reflected Christ. Camp is not always easy, it stretches you, refines you, and sometimes brings you face-to-face with your own limitations. But, Anna embraced those moments. She didn’t shy away from growth; she leaned into it.
Her strength and resilience were remarkable, but what impacted me most was her unwavering love for the Lord. It wasn’t something she spoke about occasionally, it was evident in everything she did. In her words, her actions, and the way she treated others, she consistently pointed back to Him.
Like every summer at camp, the season eventually came to an end. The days that once felt long and full suddenly gave way to tearful goodbyes. Counselors who had poured their hearts into the experience packed their bags and prepared to return to their everyday lives—back to school, careers, and the rhythms of what many would call the “real world.”
But what I’ve come to realize is that what happens at camp is real. It’s a glimpse of what life looks like when people step fully into their calling to serve others with Christ-centered love.
For Anna, leaving camp meant returning to Spring Arbor University, where she began her junior year as a special education major. And while her setting changed, I have no doubt that her calling did not. The same heart she carried at camp—the same compassion, strength, and faith—will continue to shape every space she enters.
There is no doubt in my mind that Anna can accomplish anything she sets her mind to. But even more importantly, I believe she will continue to impact lives not simply because of what she does, but because of who she is in Christ.
When Anna was faced with the decision of what this next summer would hold, she was presented with new opportunities. Her current employer in Spring Arbor offered more pay and the promise of expansive career growth—an option many would consider the obvious choice.
But Anna chose differently.
She is returning to Camp Echoing Hills—a place she now affectionately calls home.
In a world that often measures success by advancement, income, and recognition, Anna’s decision is a powerful reminder of a different kind of pursuit. She has chosen calling over career. She has chosen to serve the Lord rather than chase what the world defines as success.
Anna’s story is a reminder that being a camp counselor isn’t just a summer job. For many, it’s a calling—a season where God shapes hearts, reveals purpose, and equips His people to carry His love far beyond the campgrounds.
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