Making the Case to Be a CCV

By Katelyn Marie Hunt

When I think of my experience as a College Conference Volunteer (CCV) at two Higher Things conferences, there are so many things that come flooding into my mind: the friends I’ve made, the things about being Lutheran I have learned, the new opportunities that have come from volunteering, and the amazing worship that I have been a part of. Countless hymns, readings, memories, sermons, and people with all one common denominator: the unending grace of God given to us through Jesus Christ, His Son.

CCVs assist pastors, staff, and speakers with anything that they could possibly need to make the week a breeze for all in attendance. We travel from different parts of the country, not knowing each other (for the most part), and become close friends by the end of the week. We get little to no sleep and are running on pure caffeine by the close of the conference. When I applied to be a CCV for the first time, I had no idea about the experience that was coming my way or how the people I was with would influence me so much.

I first CCV’d at Bread of Life 2016 in Fort Collins, Colorado. I flew to the airport, knowing absolutely no one and hoping for the best with this new experience. Of course, we all started out somewhat timid and just making a little bit of small talk with each other, but by Thursday it was like we had been in each other’s lives since we were little kids. I met so many amazing people, had the best time ever, and there was no debate as to whether or not I would want to do this again. So I decided to apply for Here I Stand 2017, not knowing whether or not anyone I had met in Colorado would be there. I figured if I had such a good time in Colorado then I was guaranteed to have a great time this year no matter what. When I found out who was going to Valparaiso I was thrilled! I was reunited with a few friends from the previous year and met even more awesome college students who were as eager to help as I was. The reunion wasn’t just with CCVs and staff, but with attendees as well.

Have you ever met someone who you can just talk to and have no problem making conversation with? That’s what being a CCV is like. No matter what part of the country you are from, or how different your morning routine is from your roommate’s, there is a unity in Christ and Him crucified. You have the same values as one another and can truly be yourself around them.

Being a CCV isn’t all work—we get to participate and hear the Word of God a good amount, too. Even though we may leave chapel during the last hymn, we’re all humming the melody on our way to our next task. Speaking of tasks, during breakaway times we all have to go to different sessions, and afterwards we get to talk about what it is we learned and heard about during our class. It’s like we dip our feet in the water of each and every class. We get to hear the sermons and sing the liturgy just like the attendees do. So while being a CCV is a ton of work, we also get to enjoy the amazing gifts that every attendee receives throughout the week. During the week we also get to talk a little with all of the pastors and staff members teaching classes and we get to know them better.

Higher Things has reinforced what it really means to be Lutheran and what it is we confess. Each conference is more than just a one-week trip that shares the Gospel and gives you memories that will last a lifetime. Because of Higher Things, the Bible on my nightstand has turned into a library of Gospel-filled books and notebooks that I can never put down. I have spent hours watching YouTube videos on any topic that comes to mind and reliving the amazing hymns and sermons I heard at the conference.

The Holy Spirit calls us to worship together, pray, and continuously hear the Word of God. Higher Things brings thousands together for that very purpose every year. You might go through the same schedule at every conference, but no two conferences are alike. There’s always a hymn you’ve never heard that will soon become your favorite, an answer you receive to a question you didn’t even know you had, and of course, lots and lots of Jesus.

So here I am—several months after the conference—and there is still not a day that goes by that I do not talk to some of my CCV friends, listen to a hymn, or think about something a pastor said throughout that conference week. One of the best decisions I have ever made was to apply to be a CCV. I enthusiastically encourage you to do the same!

Katelyn Marie Hunt is studying journalism at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. She hopes to spread her love for journalism by teaching high school as well as continuing to write. She attends Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, Texas.