Dave Downey
Team Adviser
Job: Residence Director
Hometown: Vernon Hills, Illinois
Education: Social Studies Education degree from Taylor University, Masters of Arts in Higher Education & Student Development from Taylor University
Interests: Basketball, golf, running, tennis, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Bears, Chicago deep dish pizza, spending time with my wife Emily and daughter McKenzie, walking my dog Amber
"My relationship with Jesus is the most important part of my life. As a Christian I am convinced that having a global perspective, and using my time, talent, and treasure to serve is extremely important. This motivates me to get involved in service opportunities at Messiah. I love how I learn and grow as a result of being a part of service and missions teams. I also love getting to know new students and helping them process these service experiences. I am really excited to go to Northern Ireland!"
Hometown: Vernon Hills, Illinois
Education: Social Studies Education degree from Taylor University, Masters of Arts in Higher Education & Student Development from Taylor University
Interests: Basketball, golf, running, tennis, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Bears, Chicago deep dish pizza, spending time with my wife Emily and daughter McKenzie, walking my dog Amber
"My relationship with Jesus is the most important part of my life. As a Christian I am convinced that having a global perspective, and using my time, talent, and treasure to serve is extremely important. This motivates me to get involved in service opportunities at Messiah. I love how I learn and grow as a result of being a part of service and missions teams. I also love getting to know new students and helping them process these service experiences. I am really excited to go to Northern Ireland!"
Jonathan Redding
Student Leader
Business Administration Major with a Finance & Entrepreneurship Concentration, Junior
Treasurer of the Agape Center
Hometown: Lincoln, Rhode Island
Interests: Skiing, playing soccer, enjoying the outdoors
"I really felt led to serve on this trip because after much prayer and consideration, God continued to open doors for me. One of the aspects I am most excited about is getting to meet all of the kids in N. Ireland. I think having an impact on students will be a great blessing."
Treasurer of the Agape Center
Hometown: Lincoln, Rhode Island
Interests: Skiing, playing soccer, enjoying the outdoors
"I really felt led to serve on this trip because after much prayer and consideration, God continued to open doors for me. One of the aspects I am most excited about is getting to meet all of the kids in N. Ireland. I think having an impact on students will be a great blessing."
Mikaela Bennett
Student Leader
English Middle Level Education Major, Senior
Resident Assistant in Bittner Hall
Hometown: New Park, Pennsylvania
Interests: Anything & everything pertaining to Jesus, ice cream, Baltimore sports, photography, discovering new music
"I am ecstatic to serve as a team leader for the 2014 service-learning trip to Lurgan. Last year I had the privilege to travel to Northern Ireland as a team member, and have continually grown from that experience of working in LJHS with the students and faculty. For me, Northern Ireland is the place where my heritage, faith, and vocation all intersect as one passion. I grew up in a loud and proud Irish family with a Catholic father and Protestant mother. Throughout my childhood, my parents showed me exactly what it means to live in the love of Christ and not to be confined solely by the idea of religion. I have a tremendous heart for middle school youth, so serving at Lurgan Junior High School is a perfect fit for me. I am beyond thrilled to share the experience of service-learning with this year’s team and look forward to embracing new relationships in the love of Christ."
Resident Assistant in Bittner Hall
Hometown: New Park, Pennsylvania
Interests: Anything & everything pertaining to Jesus, ice cream, Baltimore sports, photography, discovering new music
"I am ecstatic to serve as a team leader for the 2014 service-learning trip to Lurgan. Last year I had the privilege to travel to Northern Ireland as a team member, and have continually grown from that experience of working in LJHS with the students and faculty. For me, Northern Ireland is the place where my heritage, faith, and vocation all intersect as one passion. I grew up in a loud and proud Irish family with a Catholic father and Protestant mother. Throughout my childhood, my parents showed me exactly what it means to live in the love of Christ and not to be confined solely by the idea of religion. I have a tremendous heart for middle school youth, so serving at Lurgan Junior High School is a perfect fit for me. I am beyond thrilled to share the experience of service-learning with this year’s team and look forward to embracing new relationships in the love of Christ."
Kaitlin Gill
Nutrition Science Major, Junior
Resident Assistant in Bittner Hall
Anatomy and Physiology Supplemental Instruction Leader
Hometown: Shamokin Dam, Pennsylvania
Interests: Playing piano and anything music related, watching movies, making pies, spending time with my siblings and cousins, going to Northern Ireland!
“This past May (2013), I had the privilege to go to Northern Ireland through a Messiah College cross-cultural trip. During my three weeks I learned a lot about the history of Northern Ireland. Of more significance, we observed first-hand how remnants of past struggles still linger today within the country and affect the youth in many different ways. Learning what I did, I wanted to go to Northern Ireland again, but as a servant instead of a scholar.
I cannot wait to go back in the spring, take in the culture, and interact with the students! I am excited to hear a junior high school student’s perspective on life in Northern Ireland, and how different/similar it is to American culture! I just can’t wait to go and show God’s love to the students of LJHS.”
Resident Assistant in Bittner Hall
Anatomy and Physiology Supplemental Instruction Leader
Hometown: Shamokin Dam, Pennsylvania
Interests: Playing piano and anything music related, watching movies, making pies, spending time with my siblings and cousins, going to Northern Ireland!
“This past May (2013), I had the privilege to go to Northern Ireland through a Messiah College cross-cultural trip. During my three weeks I learned a lot about the history of Northern Ireland. Of more significance, we observed first-hand how remnants of past struggles still linger today within the country and affect the youth in many different ways. Learning what I did, I wanted to go to Northern Ireland again, but as a servant instead of a scholar.
I cannot wait to go back in the spring, take in the culture, and interact with the students! I am excited to hear a junior high school student’s perspective on life in Northern Ireland, and how different/similar it is to American culture! I just can’t wait to go and show God’s love to the students of LJHS.”
Ashley Ober
Cross-cultural Ministry Major, Senior
Hometown: Mount Joy, Pennsylvania
Interests: Travel, Ice Cream, Sports, Road Trips, Reading, Trampolines, Napping
"A few years ago I fell in love with travel and the feeling of being in a new place where I am completely unfamiliar. It is in these spaces, areas where I have little control, that I begin to see God in ways I haven't before. God has shown me the value and importance of being a globally minded Christian and I am continuously learning what it means to participate in his plan for peace and reconciliation. My hope is that this opportunity can show me this to an even greater extend and that, in some way, the people we meet will be served in the process. Northern Ireland, here we come!"
Hometown: Mount Joy, Pennsylvania
Interests: Travel, Ice Cream, Sports, Road Trips, Reading, Trampolines, Napping
"A few years ago I fell in love with travel and the feeling of being in a new place where I am completely unfamiliar. It is in these spaces, areas where I have little control, that I begin to see God in ways I haven't before. God has shown me the value and importance of being a globally minded Christian and I am continuously learning what it means to participate in his plan for peace and reconciliation. My hope is that this opportunity can show me this to an even greater extend and that, in some way, the people we meet will be served in the process. Northern Ireland, here we come!"
Katelyn Mikalonis
Middle Level Education Major, Senior
Supervisor at Messiah Phonathon
Volunteer Leader with New Hope Ministries
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Interests: Traveling, teaching, hanging out with children
"I believe that God has called me to love on the children around me. This trip will give an opportunity to love on the children that we come in contact with throughout the trip. Northern Ireland will also help me grow into the person God has created me to be.
Obviously I am most excited to meet the kids and hang out with them. I just know that this trip is something that God wants me to do and that makes me really excited for the trip."
Supervisor at Messiah Phonathon
Volunteer Leader with New Hope Ministries
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Interests: Traveling, teaching, hanging out with children
"I believe that God has called me to love on the children around me. This trip will give an opportunity to love on the children that we come in contact with throughout the trip. Northern Ireland will also help me grow into the person God has created me to be.
Obviously I am most excited to meet the kids and hang out with them. I just know that this trip is something that God wants me to do and that makes me really excited for the trip."
Caleb Fugate
Theology & Communications Major, Sophomore
Resident Assistant in Bittner Hall
Hometown: Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
Interests: Playing ultimate frisbee, being a Pokémon master, hunting, fishing and anything outdoors
"They will know we are Christians by our love” is a wonderful Christian song that has impacted my life greatly. Others see our faith in practice through our actions, so it is incredibly important to me that I bring the kingdom of God to earth by acting out of love. Being a part of God’s ministry is what led me to be a part of the Northern Ireland service trip. I have a desire to serve others, and this trip is a perfect opportunity for me to be a part of His ministry. As simple as it may seem, I am excited to travel outside of the country, but more importantly, I am excited to serve the children of Lurgan and to learn about the culture.”
Resident Assistant in Bittner Hall
Hometown: Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
Interests: Playing ultimate frisbee, being a Pokémon master, hunting, fishing and anything outdoors
"They will know we are Christians by our love” is a wonderful Christian song that has impacted my life greatly. Others see our faith in practice through our actions, so it is incredibly important to me that I bring the kingdom of God to earth by acting out of love. Being a part of God’s ministry is what led me to be a part of the Northern Ireland service trip. I have a desire to serve others, and this trip is a perfect opportunity for me to be a part of His ministry. As simple as it may seem, I am excited to travel outside of the country, but more importantly, I am excited to serve the children of Lurgan and to learn about the culture.”
Brenna MelloTT
Social Work & Anthropology Major, Senior
Work Study at Murry Library
Hometown: New Enterprise, Pennsylvania
Interests: Books, traveling, being with my wonderful husband, chocolate, sarcasm, and "The Office"
"My Christian faith is central to my life, and I love opportunities to join and learn with people of other cultures about that faith. I'm excited to connect with the kids at Lurgan, to learn more about the problems that are facing their families and communities, and what I can do as a service trip member to help. I also haven't had many opportunities to work with this age group, so I'm sure that will make it even more interesting. And I must say - I'm excited for pretty much everything."
Work Study at Murry Library
Hometown: New Enterprise, Pennsylvania
Interests: Books, traveling, being with my wonderful husband, chocolate, sarcasm, and "The Office"
"My Christian faith is central to my life, and I love opportunities to join and learn with people of other cultures about that faith. I'm excited to connect with the kids at Lurgan, to learn more about the problems that are facing their families and communities, and what I can do as a service trip member to help. I also haven't had many opportunities to work with this age group, so I'm sure that will make it even more interesting. And I must say - I'm excited for pretty much everything."
Shaun Soliday
Business Administration Major, Senior
Student Body Chaplain
Hometown: Tower City, Pennsylvania
Interests: All sports and activities, playing guitar, spending time with my family, reading
"I thought about applying for this trip last year, but I did not feel as though it was the right timing. This year, I feel God is calling me to travel to Northern Ireland to simply love on people and be a part of His ministry there. To bring the joy and encouragement that is offered from the hands of Jesus is truly a humbling experience and I am thrilled to be a part of it. I also cannot wait to spend time with the kids. I am intrigued to hear about their lives and glean insights from their experiences while I learn about the culture of the country. I cannot wait to go to Northern Ireland!"
Student Body Chaplain
Hometown: Tower City, Pennsylvania
Interests: All sports and activities, playing guitar, spending time with my family, reading
"I thought about applying for this trip last year, but I did not feel as though it was the right timing. This year, I feel God is calling me to travel to Northern Ireland to simply love on people and be a part of His ministry there. To bring the joy and encouragement that is offered from the hands of Jesus is truly a humbling experience and I am thrilled to be a part of it. I also cannot wait to spend time with the kids. I am intrigued to hear about their lives and glean insights from their experiences while I learn about the culture of the country. I cannot wait to go to Northern Ireland!"
Kaitlin Bucher
Accounting Major, Senior
Resident Assistant in Smith Apartments
Hometown: Manheim, PA
Interests: Music, reading, baking, running, new adventures
"I have a new-found passion for traveling and Ireland has always been a place I'd love to visit. When I heard about this trip and how we'd be working with people divided between Protestantism and Catholicism, I felt a tug to go. I am excited to share the love of Christ with the kids at Lurgan Junior High School and show them how to live out their faith. Here we come Northern Ireland!"
Resident Assistant in Smith Apartments
Hometown: Manheim, PA
Interests: Music, reading, baking, running, new adventures
"I have a new-found passion for traveling and Ireland has always been a place I'd love to visit. When I heard about this trip and how we'd be working with people divided between Protestantism and Catholicism, I felt a tug to go. I am excited to share the love of Christ with the kids at Lurgan Junior High School and show them how to live out their faith. Here we come Northern Ireland!"
Christina Thomas
History Major, Senior
SGA Vice President of Diversity Affairs
Chair of Multicultural Council
Hometown: Raeford, North Carolina
Interests: Reading, writing, drawing, genealogy
"I felt led to serve on this particular trip because it is focused on relationship building and reconciliation which is a passion of mine. The aspect of the trip for which I'm most excited for is to eat, I love food!"
SGA Vice President of Diversity Affairs
Chair of Multicultural Council
Hometown: Raeford, North Carolina
Interests: Reading, writing, drawing, genealogy
"I felt led to serve on this particular trip because it is focused on relationship building and reconciliation which is a passion of mine. The aspect of the trip for which I'm most excited for is to eat, I love food!"