A young leader in the making: Savanna's summer internship at LSCF

Submitted by Kevin Dyck, La Salle Community Fellowship leadership team

Savanna Rice stepped into her role at La Salle Community Fellowship with creativity and energy, providing vital leadership to the youth ministry.

One of the clear calls we see in Scripture is the importance of raising and equipping new leaders for the work of ministry. Paul invested in Timothy, Moses mentored Joshua, and Jesus walked closely with his disciples. Following that same pattern, our church hired a summer intern with the hope of providing both meaningful ministry opportunities and intentional leadership development.

This summer, Savanna Rice stepped into her role with creativity and energy, providing vital leadership to our youth ministry during a season when we did not have a youth pastor at LSCF. She planned and led events that connected students in both fun and meaningful ways, while also leading them spiritually by preparing devotionals and Bible studies. She gave significant leadership to our Vacation Bible School, helping shape the vision, organize teams, and preparing worship in ways that will bless the ministry long after her internship ended.

Leadership development is not only a practical need for the church, but it is a biblical calling.

Savanna’s presence on Sundays was also a gift, as she regularly helped lead worship, facilitated prayer and discussions, and even preached from 1 Peter one Sunday. Beyond Sunday mornings, she invested in community events such as our Together Tuesday meal gathering, our Father’s Day Bake Sale and BBQ, and special youth and outreach events that strengthened both our church family and our witness in the community.

For me personally, it was a joy to meet with Savanna almost daily, to walk with her as she grew in her gifts, and to see her curiosity and confidence deepen. She has now moved on to the Netherlands, where she and her husband Nathan are studying and training to become long-term Missionaries! 

Leadership development is not only a practical need for the church, but it is a biblical calling. Savanna’s summer with us was a reminder of just how important and fruitful that calling is.