About Leland & Hilsen
The Leland and Hilsen Revolution conducts an ongoing mentoring ministry at juvenile detention centers Ethan Allen School and Southern Oaks. The Revolution is also in the process of establishing a ministry at a local retirement home
Jonni Shough: Southern Oaks Girls School: is a juvenile detention center for girls under age 17 who have committed multiple misdemeanors and some higher profile felonies. These girls come with broken, bleeding hearts and want help. We go as mentors and are given the unique opportunity to present the gospel to girls starving for hope in their lives. While there are not salvations every week, the seeds are being planted and the girls are being told of the only hope that can truly make a difference in their lives. We go every Tuesday afternoon, and on the first Saturday of every month, as well as taking part in a pen-pal letter exchange.
"The retirement home ministry is one that is still in the beginning stages of being formed. Last semester we went Christmas caroling and spent some time talking to the residents. This semester, we are planning on doing a few craft/game days and being able to work with the residents in a group setting as well as individually. Right now, we are working on getting our foot in the door. We would be the only Protestant organization represented there on any level."
Sarah Griffin: "I started to go to Southern Oaks last semester. It was my first semester at college. I was planning on getting a job, so I filled out a bunch of applications and sat back and waited for the job to come. When Jonni (Hilsen's ministry director) was handing out the paperwork and sign-up lists, I signed up for letter-writing. “I won’t have time to do it when I have job,” I kept telling myself. But the job never did come. About three weeks into school, I still didn’t have job and Jonni was talking about how few girls were going to Southern Oaks to mentor. God seemed to be telling me to get involved. So I offered to go. Jonni was excited at the offer and told me to fill out the paperwork ASAP. I started to wonder what I had gotten myself into. I had no idea how to mentor some girl who had broke the law badly enough to end up in the juvenile girl variety of prison. But God works in mysterious ways.
"The first few weeks, I was terrified. I had no idea what to talk about or how to give the Gospel message to my girl. But God worked through the testimonies of the other college girls going as mentors, as well as through the girls being mentored--they would go back and tell each other everything their mentor had talked about. One week, my girl brought up a couple verses that she didn’t understand and I was able to give her the whole gospel message before we ran off on a long rabbit trail. I wasn’t able to talk to her much for the next couple of weeks, but the entire ministry has change my outlook on witnessing. When the girls came in from their Physical Education, the wardens would call the names of the girls whose mentors were there. Every week, without fail, the other girls would start saying, “I wish I had a mentor,” and “I asked for one but still haven’t gotten one.” I couldn’t help but be touched by how open the door was for those interested in telling these girls about Christ. They were asking for mentors to listen to their problems and help guide them, but we could do more than guide them. We could show them Someone who loves them, died for them, and wants to see them in eternity. The door is wide open for anyone ready to tell others about Christ. God provided a job this semester, but my schedule is still wide open on Tuesday afternoons for mentoring and sharing Christ with some girls who made serious mistakes but are ready for a change."
Matthew Thompson: "The men of Leland dorm have the opportunity to lead weekly Bible studies in conjunction with the mentoring ministry at the Ethan Allen School. We not only have the pleasure of sharing Christ's love with these young men; we also work at establishing relationships that culminate in chances for discipleship and, eventually, close, personal friendships.
"I've been heading up the Ethan Allen ministry for two years, and I can say in full confidence that Tuesday nights are the highlight of my college experience. The Lord allowed me to develop a bond with one particular individual at the institution. We progressed through the Scriptures together until the day he bowed the knee to his Savior. We still meet on a weekly basis, and his growth is both an encouragement and a challenge. I wouldn't trade this life-changing ministry for the world."
Leland Society Officers Hilsen Society Officers
President: Joel Joseph President: Lauren Green
Chaplain: Andy Steiner Chaplain: Lynn Buhrow
Vice President: Kent Halsey Vice President: Crystal Husker
Ministry Director: Matthew Thompson Ministry Director: Jonni Shough
Athletic Director: Marcus Kirby Athletic Director: Cherylin Ercol
Chorister: None Chorister: Natalie Kohnert
Secretary Treasurer: None Secretary Treasurer: Emily Barclay