Interview with Mckenzie and Makayla
Hey Makayla, so how long have you been serving at Westside and how did you get involved?
I have been serving at Westside since October of 2021 and have been attending the church for around 10 years. I never used to be incredibly involved at church but I went to the youth program occasionally (throughout my youth) and would normally just attend on Sundays around that. As I grew older I started developing my faith more on my own and was ready to get involved to deepen my spirituality within the community! I knew I could continue on my own, but as it turned out, meeting other Christians within Westside has been incredibly helpful in my faith journey. So… beginning in 2021, I felt God was calling me to get involved and begin serving. Around the same time, Westside was advertising for help in the tech booth, Tt which, I applied and had my interview to get me set up. Within the same meeting, I was asked if there was anywhere else I would like to serve as well. I asked about the Westside youth program, and ever since then, I have been Youth Leading every Wednesday!
What have been some of your favourite moments serving at Westside?
Some of my favourite moments serving have been meeting new people within the community. In the tech booth, I meet people every Sunday within the congregation from both services! Which has been really fun because when I attend on my own at the 9 am, I don’t get to meet anyone from the 11 am service. At youth, I get to meet all of the students who are new and make connections with the students who’ve been attending for a while. This has been some of the best parts because I look forward to seeing the youth we work with every week, getting updates on their lives and seeing them learn/ask questions about Jesus!
What has God taught you about yourself through serving at Westside?
God has taught me a lot about myself while serving at Westside. I’ve learned and been challenged to be a better leader (both in the tech booth and youth leading), when to show up and when to take a step back. Westside has supported me through challenging seasons of serving, and this has been where we see God working in really amazing ways! I’ve learned how to pursue wholeness within the community and embrace being Jesus-centred in how I interact with others in my day-to-day life. Meeting leaders at Westside has built my confidence and encouraged me in so many ways.
What have you learned about Jesus through serving at Westside?
I’ve learned that Jesus takes time to rest too, which is something that I have struggled with. Throughout high school and university, my life has been go go go. If you ask anyone who knows me, I’m probably working multiple jobs, doing school and balancing my faith journey. This lifestyle has supported me for a long time but it isn’t until recently I’ve had to slow down. I am still working on this, and it isn’t without the help of others at Westside, that I am learning to balance serving and taking time to rest. In times of burnout, we cannot turn away from Jesus but seek rest in Him. Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Would you encourage others to serve at Westside and in what ways?
Yes, I would definitely encourage others to serve at Westside. I didn’t know any Christians before serving, and now I know more than I ever expected. If you’re looking for little ways to deepen your faith and get involved, serving is a great way to do it. There are so many different types of serving roles and opportunities. I’m usually working in the tech booth or attending the 9 am service, so feel free to ask me questions!
Hey Mckenzie, so how long have you been serving at Westside and how did you get involved?
I have been serving at Westside since September of 2023 as a Youth Leader. Before I began serving, I had been coming to westside for many years at Sunday service and attending youth group through my teenage years. I got involved in serving as my sister, Makayla, had been a serving in the tech booth and as a youth leader for a few years and inspired me to get involved. I was introduced to the youth pastor RJ and began serving after that.
What have been some of your favourite moments serving at Westside?
One of my favourite moments serving at Westside has been the endless games of nine square with the youth. It is rewarding seeing each of the youth grow in their faith each week through worship and small groups, and enjoyable how we can come together afterwards, to share laughs over nine square.
What has God taught you about yourself through serving at Westside?
God has taught me so much about myself in these months I have been youth-leading. He has taught me how to be a confident and patient leader. As well, I have learned to trust the process as a youth leader, as it takes time to grow the connections with the students. I am seeing Jesus work through me as I become more comfortable in my serving role and am able to help guide the students toward the love of Jesus.
What have you learned about Jesus through serving at Westside?
I have learned that Jesus has a plan for me and that he is with me as I serve at Westside. I have learned that by serving others, I can experience Jesus’s presence in a new, meaningful way as a youth leader, that I would not have before if I had not begun serving at Westside. I am seeing Jesus work in the lives of the youth kids as they continue to come back each Wednesday to connect with friends and encounter Jesus.
Would you encourage others to serve at Westside and in what ways?
I would encourage anyone who is able to serve as it is a very enjoyable and rewarding experience. I feel myself growing closer in my faith journey while supporting the youth in growing closer in their faith. It is beautiful to see god working through everyone at Westside. I have found a community at Westside with others who serve as well. There are so many ways to get involved in serving to fit anyone’s skills or passions, whether it is serving as a Youth Leader, Tech booth, Worship band, a greeter on Sundays, or many more, Westside has a welcoming community that I am grateful to serve alongside.
We are always looking for people to help serve in the unique gifting they have. We would love to get you connected through: tech, music, youth ministry, kids ministry, young adults ministry, local/global missions and much more. Email info@wkc.org or click the button below.