One of the most frightening times of my life was when I found out that I would be in charge of the conduct, schedule and safety of a group of seventh-grade boys at a church ministry’s summer camp, but looking back on it, I wouldn’t change a thing.
That’s me, Jack Gienke, camp counselor, at the top-right of this photo with the “W” cap, ready to take care of several middle school boys whose parents trusted me with their most-prized possessions. But as I reflect back on that summer of 2015, and reflect further back on the time of my life when I was around their age, I recall fond memories and life-changing experiences for me and for these boys. Photo by Jack Gienke
Kids from poverty stricken neighborhoods and broken homes can learn the qualities of good character through athletics. Kids learn how to work in teams, to be hardworking, to set goals and even understand responsibility for the first time.
Copyright-free image from Google
Growing up in inner-city areas can have detrimental effects on adolescents, but those who choose to pursue athletics may find themselves able to overcome their demographic struggles and develop strong character traits along the way.
College is full of all-nighters, term papers and pizza, but it is also a time where we learn, grow and figure out who we are. Looking back, we all have things we wish we would have known from the start.
Photo illustration by Rebekah Rutledge
Photo courtesy of MBU University Communications
Here are some interesting facts about MBU Timeline, the student newsmagazine of Missouri Baptist University, in St. Louis:
*Our mission statement is: MBU Timeline is the student news network of Missouri Baptist University, a private Christian university that embraces the essential core value of “social change through service and leadership.”
*The Bible verse that drives our mission is 2 Timothy 2:15 (Worldwide English Version): “Tell the true message in the right way.”
*The WordPress website has been up since late-fall 2013. We average about 3,000 sessions and about 5,000 pageviews per month.
*Our stories and galleries get as few as 40 or 50 hits, or as many as 8,000 hits.
*We have readers in every state and more than 90 countries around the world. We have several readers in South America, the United Kingdom, India and Australia.
*Most of our readers are in Missouri, followed by Illinois, California and Texas.
*We do not accept advertising as we are a not-for-profit online newsmagazine.
*We welcome contributors from all walks of MBU life, regardless of your major. Reach out to us on Twitter at: @mbutimeline.
That’s me, Jack Gienke, camp counselor, at the top-right of this photo with the “W” cap, ready to take care of several middle school boys whose parents trusted me with their most-prized possessions. But as I reflect back on that summer of 2015, and reflect further back on the time of my life when I was around their age, I recall fond memories and life-changing experiences for me and for these boys. Photo by Jack Gienke
