A HAYWOOD HUGE THANK YOU to all who served here with Carolina Cross Connection this summer! CCC, a Christian outreach ministry in western North Carolina, strives to meet social, emotional, and spiritual needs and to share Christ’s love. From mopping floors and handing out popsicles to praying with new friends and scrubbing pots, they have made a positive difference on Wednesdays at HSC, and we appreciate their efforts!
     We asked their leaders to share a brief summary of what they have gained from their experiences this summer:
     Matt Fitschen: I am one of the Lead Home Coordinators. I’m 21 years old and attend NC State University, but I’ll be graduating in December and moving onto Lord knows where. I’ve been blessed to be a part of Carolina Cross Connection’s ministry this summer and I’ve experienced God in many ways here in Asheville. I think what has really been prevalent is the way I can lead campers to see “strangers” in a new light, which has brought me to the realization that God doesn’t see strangers, he waits expectantly for new sons and daughters.
     Kayla Christie: I am a program coordinator for HOME. I am from Winston-Salem, but I am currently a student at Johnson University in Knoxville, TN. I am double-majoring in Bible and urban studies. I have seen God this summer through the extravagant grace shown at Haywood Street. I thank all of you for the incredible summer I’ve had!
     Heather Dorsett: I’m from Madison, NC and go to school at Maryland Institute College of Art. I’ll be a junior in the fall working towards my BFA in General Fine Arts concentrating in Book Arts. It’s truly God’s will that I’m here in Asheville this summer with Carolina Cross Connection as a missions coordinator. I’ve learned a lot about God’s Kingdom and what God’s unconditional love looks like in a community. I’ve seen God in those who readily join me in conversation and in our youth who have stepped forward boldly. I hope to take what I’ve experienced here in Asheville and at Haywood and incorporate it into my art to glorify God.
     Amy Robertson: This summer I served as the lead HOME coordinator with Carolina Cross Connection. As the lead this summer God used me to direct, encourage and motivate my team to seek out God in what might seem unlikely places; and boy did He show up. God grew connections between us and so many members of the community this summer. He showed us the tangible reality behind John 15 and what the idea of showing greater love to people really looks like. Haywood Street Congregation welcomed us with open arms and we found that we got to be the receivers of this greater love as opposed to the givers. What a beautiful gift!
     Stephanie Kipniss: I am from Atlanta, GA! I will be a sophomore in college in the fall, and just served as the mission coordinator for HOME this year! In this role, I organize the activities that we will do as a camp in the community, like serving ice cream at Pritchard Park and AHOPE and attending the meal and service at Haywood Street on Wednesdays. This summer has been life-changing as the Lord has taught me how to receive His love, especially in unexpected places. I have seen Him in so many new friends as they have actively loved and accepted me. I’m so grateful to have found Haywood St. to see so many exchange this love as well!
     Kurt Cope: I was born and raised right next door in Canton. This is my first year on staff for CCC and I am the program coordinator. In my free time I like to exercise and play music. I’ve found God this summer in the same placed He would have been found 2,000 years ago; on the margins, under the bridges, in the jails, down the bad alleyways, and among this worlds “rejects.”
     Laura Brown: I served as director this summer for HOME. I have spent the last four years studying at Appalachian State University and the past three summers here in Asheville, NC. This summer I watched as this ministry expanded into eight full weeks of camp and observed how the Lord has grown not only the opportunities for youth and adults alike to experience Haywood Street Congregation but also strengthen relationships into friendships. God reveals His unconditional love through an unexplainable acceptance found in this diverse community. It has been beautiful to see Jesus’ love extended to our groups and see His kingdom present here on Earth.

     Pictured here, L-R, front: Heather, Kayla, Stephanie, Amy, Laura; L-R, back: Matt, Kurt

Photo: A HAYWOOD HUGE THANK YOU to all who served here with Carolina Cross Connection this summer! CCC, a Christian outreach ministry in western North Carolina, strives to meet social, emotional, and spiritual needs and to share Christ’s love. From mopping floors and handing out popsicles to praying with new friends and scrubbing pots, they have made a positive difference on Wednesdays at HSC, and we appreciate their efforts! </p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <p>We asked their leaders to share a brief summary of what they have gained from their experiences this summer:</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <p>Matt Fitschen: I am one of the Lead Home Coordinators. I'm 21 years old and attend NC State University, but I'll be graduating in December and moving onto Lord knows where. I've been blessed to be a part of Carolina Cross Connection's ministry this summer and I've experienced God in many ways here in Asheville. I think what has really been prevalent is the way I can lead campers to see "strangers" in a new light, which has brought me to the realization that God doesn't see strangers, he waits expectantly for new sons and daughters. </p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <p>Kayla Christie: I am a program coordinator for HOME. I am from Winston-Salem, but I am currently a student at Johnson University in Knoxville, TN. I am double-majoring in Bible and urban studies. I have seen God this summer through the extravagant grace shown at Haywood Street. I thank all of you for the incredible summer I've had!</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <p>Heather Dorsett: I'm from Madison, NC and go to school at Maryland Institute College of Art. I'll be a junior in the fall working towards my BFA in General Fine Arts concentrating in Book Arts. It's truly God's will that I’m here in Asheville this summer with Carolina Cross Connection as a missions coordinator. I've learned a lot about God's Kingdom and what God's unconditional love looks like in a community. I’ve seen God in those who readily join me in conversation and in our youth who have stepped forward boldly. I hope to take what I've experienced here in Asheville and at Haywood and incorporate it into my art to glorify God. </p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <p>Amy Robertson: This summer I served as the lead HOME coordinator with Carolina Cross Connection. As the lead this summer God used me to direct, encourage and motivate my team to seek out God in what might seem unlikely places; and boy did He show up. God grew connections between us and so many members of the community this summer. He showed us the tangible reality behind John 15 and what the idea of showing greater love to people really looks like. Haywood Street Congregation welcomed us with open arms and we found that we got to be the receivers of this greater love as opposed to the givers. What a beautiful gift!</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <p>Stephanie Kipniss: I am from Atlanta, GA! I will be a sophomore in college in the fall, and just served as the mission coordinator for HOME this year! In this role, I organize the activities that we will do as a camp in the community, like serving ice cream at Pritchard Park and AHOPE and attending the meal and service at Haywood Street on Wednesdays. This summer has been life-changing as the Lord has taught me how to receive His love, especially in unexpected places. I have seen Him in so many new friends as they have actively loved and accepted me. I'm so grateful to have found Haywood St. to see so many exchange this love as well! </p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <p>Kurt Cope: I was born and raised right next door in Canton. This is my first year on staff for CCC and I am the program coordinator. In my free time I like to exercise and play music. I've found God this summer in the same placed He would have been found 2,000 years ago; on the margins, under the bridges, in the jails, down the bad alleyways, and among this worlds "rejects."</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <p>Laura Brown: I served as director this summer for HOME. I have spent the last four years studying at Appalachian State University and the past three summers here in Asheville, NC. This summer I watched as this ministry expanded into eight full weeks of camp and observed how the Lord has grown not only the opportunities for youth and adults alike to experience Haywood Street Congregation but also strengthen relationships into friendships. God reveals His unconditional love through an unexplainable acceptance found in this diverse community. It has been beautiful to see Jesus' love extended to our groups and see His kingdom present here on Earth.</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <p>Pictured here, L-R, front: Heather, Kayla, Stephanie, Amy, Laura; L-R, back: Matt, Kurt