This summer, WoodsEdge is privileged to have four Missions & Mobilization interns on our team. With so many events taking place over the next few months, these interns will be a huge help in our day-to-day ministry, and we pray that their spiritual development will be even more profound. Get to know the stories of two of our Bring Hope interns:
Austin Gasca
Hi! I'm Austin, and I'm 22 years old. I grew up in a Christian household, and like many people, I went to church on Sundays. But my faith was something I did because it was expected of me. It wasn't a relationship—I just showed up, checked the box, and went about my week. I never really felt a deep connection or understood what it truly meant to follow Jesus. To me, church was more of a chore than a calling.
After high school, I found myself at a crossroads. I was completely done with school. I had no desire to go to college (I still don't, and that's okay). I knew that there was more out there for me, but I didn't know exactly what that was. All I knew was that I wanted to travel and explore the world. So, right after graduation, I set out on an adventure.
I started with a summer job on an Alaskan fishing tender. It wasn't glamorous, but it gave me the money I needed to make my travel dreams a reality. I had never left home before, and so I decided I wanted to go to the furthest place from home I could think of: Thailand. From there, my travels took me to Italy, Kenya, and France. Every place I visited opened my eyes to the richness of the world and its diverse cultures. I loved meeting new people, trying new foods, and seeing things I never would have imagined back home.
When I came back home, I bounced around from job to job, unsure of what I wanted to do next. I still had this deep yearning to explore and see more of the world.
That's when I decided to buy a shuttle bus, and, with the help of my grandfather (who is a carpenter), I converted it into a tiny house. I wanted to take it out West, live simply, and travel to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I worked there for the entire winter season at a ski resort and learned how to snowboard. The best part was just being surrounded by nature—the snow-capped mountains, the crisp air, and the beauty of God's creation.
By the time I came home, I was once again unsure of what I should do next. I didn't know where I wanted to go for the summer, so I ended up staying here in Houston, trying to figure things out. In the meantime, I felt God stirring something in my heart.
I began volunteering at the Hope Center because I felt God prompting me to lay down my own desires and worldly pursuits in order to follow Him more closely. I wanted to glorify God through my actions, to be a light to those around me, and to share His love in a way that was tangible and real.
As I continued to seek God's guidance, one thing led to another, and I learned about an internship with WoodsEdge Missions. I felt that this could be a way for me to serve and use my passions for His glory. I applied for the internship, went through the interview process, and God opened the door for me to be part of the Missions team. Instead of continuing my travels on the bus, God led me to something far greater—being involved in missions and ministry, reaching out to those in need, and sharing the gospel.
Looking back, I can see how God has been working. Even though I didn't always know where I was going or what I was supposed to be doing, He has guided my steps, and each experience has brought me closer to understanding His calling for my life. I now realize that everything I've done, from working in Alaska to traveling the world, has been part of God's plan to shape me into who I am today.
I want my life to reflect God's love, and I want to share the good news of Jesus Christ wherever I go. I've loved my time with the WoodsEdge Missions team so far, and I've seen how God is using me in ways I never could have imagined. I'm excited to see what He has in store for me next and how He will continue to shape me as I walk out this journey of faith.
"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, 'Here am I! Send me!'" -Isaiah 6:8
Nolan Russell
Hi! My name is Nolan Russell, and I am excited to intern with Woodsedge Missions team this summer! I am the only child of my family, and the only one in my household that attends church and has a strong foundation of faith.
During my junior year of high school, I was invited to WoodsEdge by one of my classmates who was very rooted in her faith. Growing up not going to church, I was very unsure of what to expect, but I was led well by the community and welcomed with open arms. Later that year I went to the Student Ministry summer camp and dedicated my life to Jesus and to serve him well.
My pursuit of Jesus hasn't been the easiest; with me being the only person in my household chasing after Jesus, I had to find answers on my own to most of my questions I had about faith. While at camp I talked to my small group leaders who have loved and walked with me through growing my faith. My leaders told me that Student Ministry would be doing a mobile Vacation Bible School for the local children in the Greenspoint area and local lower-income areas. That led to my first real experience with mission work at the Mira Vista apartments in Greenspoint.
After my first summer of doing Backyard Bible Club, the Lord lit a massive fire in me for the love of his people and for spreading the greatest news of Jesus. The next year I would grow in my faith considerably and be appointed as a team captain for that summer's Backyard Bible Club. I took what I learned at Mira Vista from the previous year and increase it greatly to help serve my team and our mission. As a team, we were able to lead children to the Lord and share his love.
In this next step of life post-high school, I've been attending community college and prioritizing serving locally and more often. Over the holidays, I joined a team from WoodsEdge for our Turkey Drive to give out turkeys at the same apartment complex that I first visited almost two years ago. When I went back to Mira Vista, I recognized many of the kids that I once served. It was a joy to see that they were thriving, and most of them remembered me as well!
This spring, I grew my relationships with the WoodsEdge Missions staff, who then helped me get involved with our local ministry partners. Serving at these locations deepened my heart for local missions and children's ministry. Eventually, the Missions team asked if I would want to spend the summer with their team deepening my work with missions. It was an easy yes!
During my time so far with the Missions team, I have helped plan and pray over local missions and events. My favorite thing that we have done was preparing for this year's Backpack Drive. It was not just the planning process that made it my favorite thing, it was also anticipating what will come out of it. We get to support children and provide them with the support and funding that they need for a new school year. Other fun experiences from the internship include sending off foster kids to an awesome summer camp, spreading the gospel to deep inner Houston, gathering food and donations for a food drive and so much more!
This Missions internship has grown my heart for local missions, my understanding of what goes into missional work, and my passion about the eternal impact that we can make on everyone's lives by telling them about our great and loving Father!
We are excited and expectant for the work that Austin and Nolan will do this summer. If you see them around campus, be sure to introduce yourself, find out what they've been learning, and ask how you can pray for them!