Gifts to Awakening - Meet Maya contribute to...
Maya ’26 knows that the future of the church is in great hands.
Through her work as an Awakening summer intern, the junior political science and Spanish double major from Indianapolis mentors high school students on fire for the Lord.
Maya knew that she would intern for Awakening from the moment she stepped foot on campus. “I’m thankful I was able to make that happen,” she shared. In fact, Maya enrolled at Hope because of Awakening. While still in high school, Maya met Awakening’s Program Director, Jim DeBoer, when he visited her school to discuss the program. Her experience convinced her to visit and then attend Hope College.
Each summer, Maya is assigned 8–10 students from the total Awakening enrollment. “I get to mentor them for a week. We essentially double as a Bible study group and an awesome worship team. The majority of our time is spent planning and practicing a 15-minute worship service to showcase how much the students have learned and grown in just six days,” she explained.
Maya is always impressed with her students’ performance. “I inevitably cry like a proud mom,” she said. It’s no wonder Maya is proud of her students. “They are all such capable musicians, vocalists, artists and preachers. It’s an incredible, authentic time of worship,” she added.
She’s been impressed with the culture of excellence the Awakening team has created. “Each summer, I leave inspired and encouraged by the passion flowing through these students. Awakening is one of the few programs of its kind,” she explained. “Our teachers prioritize the beauty of living in the intersection of artistic skill and a heart seeking the Lord. We meet Jesus there.”
Maya, who hopes to go to law school upon graduation, is inspired by the generosity of others. “Generosity makes me think of Matthew 25. ‘Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me.’ My prayer is that Jesus would always push me beyond my own selfish needs and desires, and help me give to those he sees as people in need of my generosity,” she said.
She’s thankful for Awakening’s donors. “Thank you for believing in a generation that is often told that they will destroy and leave the church,” she gratefully said. “These kids fervently believe in a different narrative. Your gifts tell students: ‘We see you. We applaud you. We know there’s more in store.’”
Your gifts can inspire another generation of future worship leaders like Maya. Will you propel Awakening forward for many years to come?
