Chris in Philadelphia with the Garden Harvest Service Project Team.

So you’re thinking about going to STF? You’ve got your bags packed, your school plans put on hold for a bit, and yet, even as you stand at the edge of this unknown journey, you might find yourself wondering: Is this what I really want? Is this the way I’m going to truly find my faith? I think that for anyone who is considering this course for the next year of their lives, it’s very important to get some sound advice on what you should do to prepare. And because I’ve been in your shoes before, I might have advice that could help you. Whether you are not even considering the idea in the least, or have already signed up for the STF initiation, here’s some thoughts that might help you make that next step.

Some of the best advice that I can convey to you is: Have a realistic idea of what STF really is. Take the next few minutes to just think about all the things you’ve heard about STF. You’ve probably learned a lot of good things, as well as some bad, about what STF is. You probably know it has a lot to do with fundraising and finding your faith with God.

Would you be willing to bet that this will be one of the most difficult experiences of your life so far? How about that it will possibly leave you to be hurt and disillusioned about your faith? Or possibly that it could be the one experience that defines your life as a whole? I would be lying to you if I said that STF could not be any of these things. For me, it was probably a combination of all those choices. However, irregardless of what STF is or what you may think it is, you have to know a few things that STF is not.

Here a few things that STF should not be for you: STF is not the place to be if you have serious doubts about yourself and your decision. Once you are there, STF is a hard decision to turn from. And while many have decided to back out in the beginning or middle of their course, it leaves you with very few options. I hope that if you are thinking about doing this, you are thinking seriously and you have an idea of how committed you are to seeing it through. STF is not for everybody. If you’ve heard this before, believe me, it is definitely true. While many people have found STF to be a great way to strengthen their confidence in their faith, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best method for you. Some people just don’t need to go fundraising to find out their identity and faith in God. In fact, I know some people that probably would have been better off had they not gone to STF. You have to consider carefully what your attitude is now and how that could change in a year. Try to envision how your life would be if you didn’t go to STF.

STF is not your "community service" required to be a member of this church. I don’t like how people sometimes feel "pressured" to go to STF because of others. Friends, family, or even leaders in your congregation may be influencing you to make this decision and do it fast. While you should not completely disregard their advice, I would take everything you hear with a grain of salt. Know that you won’t be ostracized or set apart from the crowd if you decide not to go to STF. In fact, feeling obligated to go to STF is probably the worst attitude to have, because afterwards you’ll just feel you were forced into the whole thing. Your desire to go to STF should come from only one thing: your own initiative. If you don’t have that, and people are telling you that you should, please don’t be pressured into it! You will regret it in the long-run, and it won’t be in the best interest of your spiritual life.

You might be thinking now that STF wasn’t as great an idea as you thought it was. But let me reassure you of one thing. If you have a clear idea of what STF is and why you are going, you can have the most amazing experiences that you will never have anywhere else. I’ll tell you a few things that STF can be for you: STF is probably the only place that you can go to see the world in a way you’ve never experienced. I’m sure that at some point in your life you’ve wanted to travel the world and see everything there is to see. STF is unique because it gives you an extreme, in-your-face guide to the human condition and how people live. You will get to see, first-hand, the way people are and how to feel a close connection with them. You will get to see the best lifestyles, and some of the worst, and learn how to relate to them all. Seriously, if you learn nothing from STF, you will absolutely learn things about people that you’ve never known before.

STF is the best way to overcome a shy or reserved character. I was never the most outgoing person. In fact, at times I was downright frustrated at how shy I was. STF was an opportunity for me, as well as many other shy people I knew, to get over ourselves. Did it work? Well, after about two weeks on STF I no longer have any fear or reservation when it came to approaching new people. I can’t say I wouldn’t have done this on my own, but I am grateful to STF for bringing me to that achievement very quickly. Finally, STF can give you the experiences and friends that will never leave you. There is something about spending a year in a van with someone that makes you best friends. In fact, in my case, one of my former van buddies eventually became my wife! It truly is a testament to STF whenever you see friends get together and talk about their crazy experiences together on fundraising teams. And it truly is an experience you can only get from the STF experience. I hope you can consider all these aspects and get a better idea of what STF is and what it could be for you. Please consider your decision carefully, and if you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me. I’m eager to hear your thoughts. God bless you!

Chris Breland is a two-year STF alumnus, currently attending school at Drexel University in Philadelphia, and majoring in mechanical engineering. He was blessed in December of 2004 in East Garden at Father's matching.

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