Thoughts on the Staff Hiring Process

Today is the best day and the worst. It's a day I look forward to all year and a day I dread. This afternoon emails were sent out to the 2010 staff applicants notifying them of their summer employment status. For two months I have traveled over 17,000 miles to 5 colleges and universities and three academies. I have interviewed more than 150 applicants. The young adults I have talked with are some of the brightest and best out there. Every year I am amazed at their courage, their passion for Christ and their desire to serve him. Even though I only get to spend 20-30 minutes with each of them I get to know them -- I learn from them -- I remember them -- and they impact my life.

It is exciting to see how God brings just the right people that we need. My associate and I spend days in front a white board pouring over reference forms and interview notes praying for guidance. And God leads -- he opens doors and closes them. Often we don't know why. It's awesome to look at the white board when all the names have been chosen and wonder what God has in store for the summer. This year, like all the others I leave this hiring process with a sense of expectation. It's going to be a great summer!

But at the same time I have to tell the majority of the applicants that I don't have a spot for them. No one will ever know the how hard that is for me. I was the kid on the baseball field that always got picked last. I was the one stood on the sidelines and wondered if there was a place for me. If I had enough budget, enough housing and a big enough camp I'd hire them all. I'd help each of those 150+ applicants discover God's calling in their life and the value he's placed in them. And stand back in awe at what they could do. But in the end I only have 75 spots.

So for some, today will be a great day -- God has answered their prayers! For others, on our waiting list, their going to have to watch for what God is yet to do. And for still others today will be a very hard day as their dream is dashed.  I just pray that every person I have met over the past two months understands that the email they received today has no bearing on their infinite value in God's eyes and the calling he has placed on their life. Whether they were accepted or turned down God has an amazing summer in store for them as they look to serve him.

So as I bring another hiring season to a close it is my prayer for each person I have met these past two months that they will be confident of God's leading in their life. And I sincerely hope I will get to meet each one next winter as I go out recruiting once more. It will be great to see how God worked in their life. And who knows perhaps he will have a place for them at Sunset Lake sometime in the future.