But I don't want to go to NYC! Meet Season Helms

When +Season Helms received news of her Send Me Now summer missions assignment in February 2012 she was not very excited! Like many folks, she was afraid of the big city, a far different place from the small north Georgia town of Trion! She had heard too many horror stories about the violent crime, insane transportation, and rude people! However, after being in the city for just three days she wrote in her blog:

"...I have fallen in love with the place. The bright lights, the hustle, the convenience of running to the produce stand just around the block, the parks, the river, the museums, and I’m sure there is even more that I haven’t discovered yet. It’s an experience like none other and I’m so blessed and fortunate to have the opportunity to spend the next 8 weeks serving here. Everyone here has a story and I’m learning a lot through them." (June 4, 2012)

Season in Central Park

In fact, Season had such a tremendous experience that after her term was over in August she went back for the fall, and has stayed on for the spring. Will she ever come back south? I'm beginning to wonder! When she was appointed to go to NYC I echoed what many of her friends had told her, "You will fall in love with the city and won't ever want to come home!"

A lot has changed for Season since leaving Central Avenue Baptist church in Trion to attend college in Athens. She got involved in BCM her first year, singing in the Impact Band and then House Band. She attended FBC Watkinsville as her college church. Eventually she served on the BCM leadership team as the Worship Team Leader. She has a remarkable voice and is skilled in playing keys. When watching her lead worship it is evident that she is not singing for the adulation of the congregation, but is personally praising God from the depths of her soul. Season's jobs have morphed and changed since she has been in NYC. Now she is serving as the Office Coordinator of the Metropolitan New York Baptist Association (MNYBA). She also spends time working with two of the Graffiti Baptist Church and Ministries on the lower east side of Manhattan. She attends the Wednesday dinner at Graffiti and has found deep pleasure and fulfillment in building relationships with some of the homeless men and woman who come for food and fellowship each week. Then on the weekends she leads worship at Graffiti 2 (a church plant in the Bronx). It's amazing how quickly this small town girl became a fan of big city life!

You can follow Season's journey on her blog. Lift her up in prayer as she continues to work across NYC over the next few months (or years).