As the Executive Director of the non-profit branch of PUMP, Heath is your main man for all things PSP. There are three volunteers for whom you will see a lot this summer as well.

Lori (pictured on right) is the one who organized this whole PSP thing ten years ago! She works tirelessly on our reading program, along with Amber, a local teacher who has volunteered every year to help coordinate this important piece of our program. Lori is married to Kerry and has three beautiful girls, the youngest of whom is fighting a battle against leukemia (& doing great!). Lori & her family live far away from PUMP, so it makes the trip in a challenge - meaning we don't get to see her as much as we'd like!

Casey (center) is our link to the middle school volunteers that help out each year at PSP. She has a great memory for all the details and the children who have been PSP in years past. She started our first year as an intern, has directed several years, and has been a cornerstone on the PSP team. And yes, Lori is her sister.

And there's me, Kristi. I focus most of my PSP energy on intern recruiting and care. I was on staff for many years at PUMP, so this year is a new role as total volunteer for PSP again. I have a private counseling practice where I focus on play therapy with children & family health. I am married to Allan - the guy who makes the PSP t-shirts and generally makes PUMP look good to the outside world. I have three kids, two of whom will be in the program this year.

We love working with you, our interns, and look forward to getting to know each of you better! Thank you so much for your faith and dedication.

Intern Team

Whenever we are going into the recruiting process for interns, we have a vague range as to how many interns make for a successful summer. We always know though, that the number is not important at all compared to the quality of the team and the individuals who make up that team. This year the Lord has given us quite a surprise! He has flooded us with amazing candidates for this year's intern team (as He's also done with potential visiting youth groups). In response, we will have a larger number of interns this year than we normally have. We are excited to see how the Lord plans to use this crew, because we truly believe He has something important in mind.

As soon as I get confirmations and photos, I'll post updates on Noel, Shawna, Elizabeth, and a few others!

Here's...Meredith!

Meredith is an English Education major, finishing her junior year at Western Kentucky U. She describes herself as a "whirlwind", full of high energy, idealism, & spontaneity! Meredith has the great goal of being an English teacher in an inner city school, to help kids who have been turned away by others. It is because of that Godly spirit that we are thrilled to have her join us this summer!

Introducing Chelsea!

Those of us who were at PSP 2008 had the opportunity to meet one of Raleigh's friends, who came out for a little visit. Portland hooked her in! As many experience when they visit our fine city, Chelsea took right to the Northwest way of life. She is a bundle of laughter and energy who can organize HQ and lead singing as well! She's a keeper. We're excited to have her join us for PSP 2009!



And how cute is that new haircut?!!

Returning Interns!

We've got three, count 'em, THREE returning interns for PSP 2009! We are excited to have Jake, Raleigh, & Heather back with us again this year! Their insight and experience will be invaluable to the overall program success.

If you want to check out some photos that include these three clowns, take a look at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpchurch

Here's Heath!

Heath is our fantastic Executive Director for Portland Urban Ministry Project or, as it is becoming known, PUMPWorks. He will be all things PSP this summer! For you old timers, you can't quite get rid of Lori, Casey, & I all together, but Heath will be your fearless leader. He is a great man of God who believes in open & direct communication, hard work, and improving himself, the church, the community, and those around him.

Heath is married to the lovely Pam. They have two children - Zion, a fun-loving 10-month old, and Eden Belle, who will join us in August!

PSP 2009!!

Woo-hoo! It's that time again, boys and girls - time to get ready for PUMP Summer Program! This year we have a great curriculum ready to go, a fabulous new Executive Director, and fun plans in the works for a place to call home.

I think the biggest indicator of the success of our program is...[drum roll, please]...our intern team. Who we have together for serving the Lord, the community of Northeast Portland, and the PUMP church makes all the difference for our summer. So we are in prayer. We are praying that the right team will come together this year. We pray that if the Lord touches your heart to come to Portland, that you will answer His call. We also pray that if you really, really want to come, but it is not in the Lord's will or if it will not be the best thing for PSP, that you will also listen and obey. We pray that our team of interns will be faithful, dedicated servants and stewards of the Kingdom and the Good News during the program, in their living quarters, or when they are out playing. We pray that personalities will mesh well and patience and joy will prevail. We pray that our team will learn to communicate in ways that will helpful, edifying, and glorifying.

I hope you are praying about this, too. Whether or not you are a PSP intern, there is a lot riding on this team's success.

If you need more information about PSP, please contact us through the pump website.