Kids Across America

Day 17: Antoine and Chantel Mack


I remember a chilly afternoon, filling out a long application to work for Kanakuk Camps in Branson, MO. I had gone back and forth, trying to decide if I wanted to apply for Kanakuk or do a Student Mobilization training in Florida that summer. I loved the outdoors, sports, and working with kids; so I decided on Kanakuk. When you apply to work at Kanakuk camps, you also have to do an interview. I was nervous about the interview, to say the least! When it came time for mine, I was interviewed by a lady (sadly, I don't remember her name) but she stated that she worked for Kids Across America, a camp within Kanakuk that worked with urban youth. She asked me lots of questions, including what my desire would be to work with urban youth. I stated that it sounded good to me, but didn't have any real experience working with urban youth. I didn't think much about it because, well, I was a farm girl from an all-white, all rural, all southern town and didn't think there was any way I'd be picked to worked for Kids Across America.

Well, I was very wrong. I got an email a few weeks later offering me the chance to come work a term with Kids Across America! I was pumped, but it also left me wondering, what in the world? How am I going to relate to these urban youth? How did I get picked for this camp? I went in not having a clue that my life, my world...would be changed forever. God grew in me a love for urban youth, urban ministry, and social justice. I can remember the hundreds of beautiful, young faces that I met at Kids Across America. Some of whom I still talk to today. Some of whom have been etched into my heart forever.

I loved KAA so much that I worked there for not one, not two, not even three but FOUR summers. I would have worked longer if I didn't have to grow up and get a real job! One of the biggest reasons that I loved KAA so much was the leaders...Antoine and Chantel. Chantel was the women's leader all four years I was there. My final summer I was on the leadership team, therefore I got to spend a lot of time with these two wonderful, Godly people. When asked to be on the leadership team (which meant more time with the staff and less with the kids) I didn't really want to do it because I knew it would be a stretching time for me. I am so, so glad that I did. I got some real, hands-on experience on what it's like to be in a leadership position. Mainly because of the Macks.

Chantel and Antoine are not only great, fun, hilarious, and energetic leaders, but they are also Godly leaders. Directors that lead by example in their speech and actions. I have learned so much about urban ministry from these two. I remember a time when they had to make a hard decision, a problem had arose that had the potential to divide staff. They handled it with grace, mercy, and love and I will NEVER, ever forget that. The Macks constantly loved on, prayed over, and challenged the staff and kids...and led so many staff into a deeper walk with Jesus and so many kids into a relationship with Jesus.

I know it was only in the summer and it was only four summers, but Kids Across America and the Mack Family changed my life. I went from someone who barely knew anyone that didn't look exactly like me, to having friends, mentors, and mentees all across the states with very different backgrounds and cultures. I went from someone who wanted to be a physical therapist to someone who was passionate about social justice, urban youth, and urban education...and moved to Chicago for a couple years to chase my dreams of working in the inner city. I am who I am now largely in part because of this camp and these two directors.

Thank you Lord for guiding a farmer's kid from Hector, AR to Kids Across America. I had no idea what You were doing, but You always knew. Thank you Jesus for Antoine and Chantel Mack and their continued Godly leadership and impact on KAA 1.

Chantel and Antoine, I could never, ever really thank you guys for all y'all (my southern accent is comin' back) taught me and how much y'all challenged and changed me. You two are definitely on the list of the 30 most influential people in my first 30 years of life!