summer service 2021 / agua prieta, sonora
Meet the Team
Jada Dawson
My name is Jada Dawson. I am 22 years old and currently a senior at the University of Alabama. Yes, that means I am abug college football fan. I am a Child Life major studying to be a Child Life Specialist in children hospitals. My job would be working with children who may be having a hard time with their hospital stay. This includes making slime, blowing bubbles, and playing video games. I’m from O’Fallon, IL, but originally from NYC.
My free time consists of making my way through popular movies, spending time with my pets, and listening to tons of music. I hope to make real connections on this trip while strengthening my relationship with Christ. I look forward to an immersive experience filled with new friendships, new worship, and new perspectives.
Van Herring
Hi, my name is Van Herring and I am a first year MDiv student at Columbia Theological Seminary! I am 22 and love to hangout outside and travel with friends. I love to make music whether I am playing, singing, or just listening to it. I also love to play ultimate frisbee, video games, and board games.
Gabbi Hickly
I’m Gabrielle Hickly (most people call me Gab or Gabbi). I live in Grove City, PA, and I am an incoming senior at Grove City College, with a double major in Biblical and Religious studies and Christian ministries. At school, I am the captain of the cheerleading team, a Wyldlife (middle school YoungLife) leader in Hermitage, Pa, and the chaplain of my sorority. I have also been involved in some of the dance productions at my school, and last year I was choreographing a dance for it; however, we never got to perform it due to COVID. I am involved in the ICO (inner-city outreach) mission trips at GCC. I have been to the Dominican Republic three times, twice with Grove, and I was one of the student leaders for my 3rd trip. I have a huge heart and desire for service, and I especially love working with kids. I also love singing, and I have a lot of experience leading worship in high school and college.
The Lord has called me into ministry long term, which is why I am majoring in Biblical and Religious studies and Christian ministries. He has given me a heart for service, and a love for mission work, both overseas and in the United States. He has also given me a passion for caring for the vulnerable, and this has specifically turned into a calling for me to serve people who have been abused by the commercial sex industry. My current goal is to find a job as a Bible study leader at a Christian rehabilitation center for women and children recovering from the trauma of sex trafficking. However, I also feel a strong call to be part of the rescue missions that are happening to find people still trapped in trafficking, so I am praying that the Lord opens a door into that as well. However, directly after college, I may look into joining a Fellows program to receive more schooling and hopefully get connected with the type of ministry I am looking for.
I am so excited for this trip, especially because it specifically aligns with what I am passionate about. I honestly have no idea what to expect, other than that I am going to learn so much and be challenged in the way I view the world. This is the first international-ish mission trip that I have been able to go on since COVID, and I am so thankful for this opportunity, and I am excited to see how God is going to use all that I have learned throughout the COVID season during this trip.
Ricky Myers
My name is Ricky Myers. I’m 23 years old. I’m a Petroleum Engineering student at West Virginia University. I’m from Kittanning, PA.
I’m a quadruplet. I enjoy designing products and running my product design business. I’m currently in the works of trying to achieve a patient and hope that God can bless me with achieving it. I’m very excited about Summer Service and can’t wait to see where it takes us, and how we will learn and grow. I can’t wait to find out what we’ll be doing day-to-day.
Sofia Na
I’m Sofia Na. I’m 21 years old and I’m just about to graduate from Eastern University in Wayne, PA which is just outside of Philadelphia. I studied philosophy, political science, and history and plan on taking a few years in-between undergraduate and graduate school. I’m particularly interested in ethics, and plan to continue studying ethics and ontology for as long as I can. With that background, I hope to work in a service or mission related field!
I love sushi and reading and traveling. I enjoy spending time outdoors and hanging out with my friends. I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity to serve on the Summer Service 2021 team. Getting to this point has not been an easy road, but I am so excited to see the plans God has in store for us!
Megan Halloran
I’m Megan Halloran! I just finished my Junior year of nursing school at Ohio Northern University. I love music, reading, and rollerblading in my spare time. I’m super excited to work with the rest of my team to immerse ourselves in a different culture and learn and serve with Frontera De Cristo!
Jessica Blake
Hello! My name is Jessica Blake and I am a rising senior at the University of Missouri (Mizzou) studying Journalism. After graduation I hope to go on to law school to study First Amendment and media law. I am originally from Columbus, Ohio and got involved with NWMC as a sixth grader through Concord Presbyterian Church!
Ever since I was a little kid, I have loved listening to and telling stories whether through writing, reading, movies, theater or even just passing the time on a long run. This summer, I am truly looking forward to hearing the stories of God’s work in the lives of those we get to serve alongside at Frontera De Cristo. Even more so, I look forward to coming back to NWMC and sharing those stories with all of you! When I am not working on my next story I enjoy rock climbing, watching old seasons of Survivor and serving as a Young Life College leader at Mizzou.
Hope Trotta
I’m Hope Trotta and I’m from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I am a junior at Geneva College studying Communication Disorders and Psychology, to become a Speech Language Pathologist. I’m 21 years old and have been attending the New Wilmington Mission Conference my whole life.
I am the Secretary of my school’s National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association, where we raise awareness for our field and the different populations we work with. I enjoy helping with children’s ministries, including teaching Sunday school and working in the nursery. I love to sing and play my cello, guitar, and ukulele, especially in my church’s modern worship band. I’m so excited to be serving with Frontera De Christo this summer and am looking forward to learning from the people we’ll meet.
Trevor & Staci Alexander
Team Leaders
We’re Trevor and Staci Alexander. We’ve been married a little over two years and recently moved to Waimea/Kamuela, Hawai’i (the Big Island) from Las Vegas, Nevada. Trevor is working as a ranch hand and just began a new job in construction. He has served many years as a youth leader, leading small groups and helping to run the program. Staci is a freelance website and graphic designer and has also spent many years working in various positions in the Church – particularly in youth and music ministry.
We love to travel, sing and play music, and enjoy the outdoors – especially hiking. Staci will also be celebrating her 30th birthday this summer! We are so grateful to be spending the summer serving alongside and learning from Frontera De Cristo with the Summer Service team.