Let’s Connect: Blog Edition!
You’ve likely heard from Summit stage about the Olympic Watch Party over the summer, or about a hangout at A La Cart, or have been invited to Bunco Night at Lake Mary! Our Let’s Connect events are a fun connection point for people in different life stages at Summit. But, what you may not have known is that these events are all volunteer led!
Jillian, one of the Let’s Connect lead volunteers!
One of our Let’s Connect events was started by two friends, Jillian Koeblin and Sydney Daniels, who shared a similar passion to see something fresh at Summit for people their age. We had the opportunity to sit down with Jillian and hear about the beginning of the Summit Orlando’s 20-30’s Young Professionals Let’s Connect events.
Jillian excitedly shares, “We were looking to connect with people in our age group who shared similar values. We saw an opportunity to meet this need for ourselves and our friends and partnered with Summit to create a welcoming space for young professionals to connect with each other. The staff and leadership at Summit have been extremely supportive of our mission, and we are so grateful for their constant availability and assistance in creating the Let's Connect events. We truly could not have prepared it ourselves without their help. They have offered great guidance to us too!”
It's that simple. If we see a need in the world, Summit Church included, we really do have the agency to join God in his redeeming work and create something new. Who knows? It could be something that others like you are hungry for as well. There might even be people who want to help make it a reality.
A part of inspiring people to find and follow the way of Jesus includes inspiring people to follow the dreams that God has placed in each of our hearts. Seeing a whole new Christ-centered community forming around a common purpose certainly belongs in that category.
“I encourage people to come to the events if they are looking for new friends, exposure to the church, or are just looking for a fun time! Personally, I have found a great group of people who I consider family in the church. My goal was to promote connection and friendship, and I have found nothing but great memories and good people along the way. I hope the Let's Connect events continue to be a welcoming environment for everyone and people gain as much as I have from it!” says Jillian.
Jillian and Sydney are already inspiring others to come forward and say they’d like to see Let’s Connect events for their age group or place in life. Jillian states, “We hope that the Let's Connect events become a regular occurrence and continue to promote attendance and community for all ages in the church.”
At Summit, we value “reflecting heaven’s diversity here and now.” The best way to do that is by encouraging leaders, young and old, from all walks of life, to feel empowered to see a need and fill it!
So, if you’re reading this and you’re in the 20s to 30s age group, check out one of our upcoming events. If you wish there was something like this for people in your life stage or friend group, “Let’s Connect!” Send an email to the Connect team, Kelly at Orlando or Grace at Lake Mary. Tell them about your dream for community. Who knows what could happen?
Jillian and Sydney stepped out in faith, and now that small step has turned into something that’s leading to new connections for others and being enjoyed by people they never knew before they started. This is how God works, and we can’t wait to see what comes next!