The Beginning

      It's amazing how just when we least expect it the world seems to come together, to give each of a variety of perspectives we would have never dreamt of having. These past few weeks have been stressful; they've consisted of me trying to keep in contact with key organizations and find out whether or not I would have the chance to work with them. I'm proud to say that as of this past week I have been offered the chance to work with an online non- profit organization known as Heart Support.

       Heart Support is an organization that began a few short years ago. It began as one man's dream to create a community online where people can share their stories of struggles (addiction, pornography, stress, anxiety, eating disorders, depression, suicide, self injury). The community also tells of victories, offers blogs from the vital team members and their experiences through some of these same issues. Heart Support is a Christian organization that strives to provide the idea of God's safe harbor; how it is that our stories can be strengthened and understood through Him. 

       Still in the beginning stages of its construction, Heart Support is run by lead singer of August Burns Red, Jake Luhrs, and his wife Kris Luhrs. Beyond these two wonderful people and their passion for sharing the great truths, for providing hope and restoration through prayer and counsel, there are another of other team members vital to the creation of this organization. Luckily, and as of recently, I am now able to be a part of this creation and to experience some of the overwhelming love and help that has been enabled in a forum like Heart Support. 

       For more information and details about what I'll be doing and working through this semester, please visit www.heartsupport.com and check it out. I've been emailing with Jake back and forth since I first heard about the organization 6 months ago. I told him it was my overwhelming desire to help people, to spread a great message while sharing my own struggles and pieces of my story. We had been emailing back and forth for awhile now as he has been trying to think about whether or not to accept an intern position, but he has now created a specific position for me as a member of the team. For the duration of this internship I will be responsible for the following duties:

Social Media Administrator/Team member

Kayleen, Oliver

1. Twitter and Facebook administrator : is the overseer of all media

done on Twitter and Facebook. Postings on both sites under Heart

Support username; minimum 4 times a week.

Posting of News updates, scriptures and postings/retweets of any

inspiring content that deals with spiritual issues and addictions.

2. Female Counselor: will answer all questions from Heart Support’s

female audience.

3. Promotion and Fundraising: Team members are required to

promote Heart Support on social sites such as Twitter, Facebook,

band sites etc. They are also required to raise funds by means of

donation, as well as awareness, to aid in growth and support for the

ministry.

4. Prayer and Communication on site: Team members are required

to view the prayer wall once a week to pray for kids, as well as

comment on discussion board and/or prayers.

5. Blogging: Team members are required to write and post one blog

per month. The blogs may vary in length and subject matter as the

team member sees fit.

           In acquiring this position I've been able to start posting on the corresponding social networking sites while also interacting with the community on the prayer wall. The best part of it? I've gotten the stats for the Facebook and Twitter accounts. It's absolutely outstanding how many people we have been able to reach with just a status post or an advertisement to a new blog on the website. Furthermore, the prayer wall has been a great experience as I've begun to see what the people of Heart Support do, and how it is that they can begin to respond to people. I've only been working for a few days and have already had two people reach out to me thanking me for my prayers. It's amazing what the realm of communication can do. I'm excited to see where it will take me in the next few weeks. 

         I know that Jake has asked me to begin writing a blog post and so I've been trying to kick around some ideas for that first post. I want to make a good first impression and provide some worthy resources for the people that will be visiting the page. I've been considering the idea of "Going, Not Knowing" which means that we, as people, and as believers, can begin to trust and find comfort in the plans and pieces that God has already intricately created for each of us. I'll be sending that piece off to him soon and will anxiously await feedback for that first post. 

       Right now the hardest part is believing that this has all happened. The hardest part is believing that I'm working for the members of a band that I greatly appreciated. The hardest part right now is believing that technology has this great ability to connect our people and communities across the world. 

        I'm thrilled to see where the next week takes me. 

           This is a piece of Jake's story. I'll keep you all posted with what he has to offer and communicate to me and the campus community. This is just the beginning of a greater story.