I’ve written a lot the past few weeks about large-group stuff that happens on STP, but I want to zoom in and highlight a very special team that is responsible for a lot of the nitty-gritty, day to day functions that make project run smoothly. That team would be the Holy Ghostbusters, better known as the servant team. Jamari Wright and Beka Forker are the team leaders for this team, and since I have never been on the servant team, I sat down with Beka Forker to get her inside perspective on what it’s like to experience project as a servant team member.
What’s servant team like and how is it different from room leading/team leading on the rest of project?
Servant team does everything everyone else does; they just have additional tasks. The guys set up and take down sound and visuals for talks and socials, clean up project after the rest of us are in bed. The girls plan and prepare meals twice a week; their room doubles as kitchen for project. Beka, as the servant team girls’ team leader, has a little bit of a different job than the other team leaders; her role is basically a combination of room leader and team leader: she lives in the room with the other servant team girls but she’s also in a discipleship group with the other team leaders and has more responsibility than a room leader does.
Coming back for a second year on the servant team, Beka has seen a night and day difference between the two years. She says for her, serving feels more natural, and it has shaped more than just her time on project: it has been developing the heart of a servant within her.
What’s been your favorite thing so far?
Beka’s favorite thing about servant team this year is the people. As the smallest team on project (one girl’s room and one guy’s room), they are very close - in proximity and friendship. They’ve been able to do a lot together over the summer, which isn’t always an easy thing considering the demanding schedule of STP.
How does being on servant team give you a unique perspective on the Gospel?
Beka thinks everyone should be on the servant team...serving sacrificially offers a picture of what the Gospel looks like in everyday life; it isn’t always glorious or fun, but it gives us a glimpse into the life of Christ. The servant team definitely makes project seem less glamorous because you get involved in the nitty gritty details, but it shows you how much Christ is worth it for the rest of your life. When others get joy from your service, it brings joy to your heart too. STP isn’t like real life in a lot of ways, and servant team provides a kind of bridge between the two worlds. Day to day life will be a lot like this for the rest of your life. As it says in Philippians 2:3, “in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” That’s not just here on project or when you feel like it, it’s a command for the rest of your life. And that’s a joyful thing.