Hello All!
My name is Melanie Beech, and I am from Mississauga (near Toronto), Ontario, Canada. I am so excited/can’t believe I will be embarking on this amazing adventure in September 2015!
A bit about me: I am 23 and have a degree in Bio-Resource Management Specializing in Equine Management (yes horses) from the University of Guelph in Ontario. I worked several jobs after I had graduated from my degree; a government employee, and as an exercise rider for race horses. It was at this point when I felt God putting it on my heart to devote my time to one of my other passions – youth ministry. I am now currently enrolled in the second semester of a Masters in Divinity Specializing in Youth and Family Ministry at Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto – and loving it.
Outside of school: I am known in my group of friends as the ‘horse crazy girl’, and for good reason! My younger sister and I own a 15hh Q-horse mare, who we ride 4-6 times/per week. We compete with her on the provincial hunter/jumper circuit in the 1.0 meter jumper division. In my past I was a Western trail guide in the Rocky Mountains for a summer, and played on my school’s intercollegiate polo team. I also enjoy teaching riding lessons – especially at summer camp! Apart from riding I love to run! It is a huge de-stressor for me + am able to have some quality God time 🙂
Salvation story: I did not grow up regularly attending church, but since I can remember I have always had a heart for the Lord. In middle school one of my best friends started taking me to youth events with her church. This was the first time I had ever heard modern worship music – I have to admit was a little confused when everyone started raising their hands – but one thing I did know for sure was that I wanted that love and whatever relationship they seemed to have with God. In highschool I attended an overnight Christian horseback riding camp. One of the nights at camp under a star filled sky is when I first heard the Gospel. I remember having so many questions – I thirst for knowledge, and the joy of everything starting to make sense. The first two years of University (which for my program were spent at a smaller agricultural campus) began a different season in my life. I made a lot of my life long friends during these years, and had some truly amazing memories – however my faith which I was just beginning to understand was hindered. I allowed my self to become swayed by the ‘typical university life’ and tried to find happiness in it – but ultimately could not. In the fall semester of my third year I realized I had to do an agricultural internship for my program – the first place to pop into my head was Teen Ranch – the Christian riding camp I had attended back in high school. However to work on staff you had to complete a series of 10 Bible Studies, and be regularly attending some sort of Christian group at home. I googled Christian groups on my campus, and stubbled upon Intervarsity Christian fellowship’s website, and the next week I attended my first Bible study. I was so nervous to go – I felt like I was really stepping out of my comfort zone, but I was truly blown away by the welcoming environment and kindness I received. Little did I know these girls I met at Bible study would become some of my best friends on campus in the following years. I began attending Intervarsity Bible studies, and potlucks weekly. During this time is when God really started working in my heart – I had known the question that I needed to answer, that I needed to tell my non-Christian friends, that I needed to tell my family: Did I accept Jesus Christ FULLY as my Lord and Savior? It wasn’t until a rainy day when I was driving alone on a six hour drive when I decided to make the decision to give into Christ, repent, and allow Him to work in all the areas of my heart. How sweet a feeling this was.
“He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” – Titus 3:5
By His grace I was saved and became to know the power of prayer, and the importance of prayer in all areas of my life.
I went on to work as a counselor at Teen Ranch where I realized my passion for sharing the Gospel to teens – as it was once shared to me as a teen. I also became a part of the leadership team with Intervarsity on Campus, where I was blessed to co-lead a bible study as well as hosted weekly potlucks at my house. This which further deepened my love of student/teen ministry, and further emphasized the importance of community.
I am excited to share this blog not only as a travel journal, but as a way to communicate the great works God will do over the next year!! AH!
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” – Ephesians 2:10
Thank you SO much for reading!
– Melanie
