Teammate Spotlight: Samantha D. Christy

Resides In: Grandview, Missouri

Before NET: Was doing various jobs after high school, even moving to Colorado for work, was most recently doing Doordash and Instacart during quarantine.

First Encounter: Unsure, but we had our first conversation the day after Team Announcement Night, discussing her time in Colorado and all of her jobs she had worked before NET.

Initial Thoughts: She seems very adventurous and is really fun to talk to. She'll bring a lot of life experience to the team.

(Left) Back in September, while in Nebraska, she admitted that she was a tomboy. At first, I doubted her, but she was very right. Growing up on a farm with 9 other siblings, it was always the guys and Samantha doing dangerous and stupid things, and this photo best embodies how hard she can be despite standing at only 5'3". Throughout the year, though, she grew a lot in talking to women and diving into sisterhood, and I'm very proud of her for that. (Right) Kayaking in Florida on our retreat off in March! Apparently the host family that gave us their kayaks promised we would see gators, but they never showed up! We were extremely disappointed we couldn't kayak with gators, but it was still fun doing outdoor stuff together.

Favorite Memory: In December, we were doing dyads, which are 1-on-1 chats to dive into deeper relationships with one another. Samantha and I had not had a decent conversation in a long time, just choosing to grow closer to other people. While at the Ellis' house doing dyads, we finally had one. Typically they are only 15 minutes, but ours lasted over an hour that afternoon! Other people were rotating, and even finished doing dyads, while we still continued to talk about maturity and courage, specifically doing the right thing or the things we are supposed to do even when we really don't want to. That conversation definitely took our relationship to a whole new level.

Something Samantha taught me: Love and intentionality. One of my favorite quotes from Samantha is, "I love love!", and although she is contextually speaking about romantic love, she is great at loving everyone. She knows how to grow in relation with people, whether it's the team, her small group, or random people we meet, and she knows how to love each individual she encounters, especially Christ, and continues to learn how to love every day too. Plus, she exhibited a beautiful romantic relationship this year with her boyfriend, Charles, whom we met a couple times on the road. With that, one of the best ways she loved me this year was intentional conversation. I always felt seen by her when we spoke, and I know others felt that way too when speaking with her. I try to show that physical intentionality whenever I listen to others, because I want them to feel seen the way I felt seen and loved by Samantha.

What the world should know: Samantha is one of the most joyful people you will meet. When she's on, she is focused on the tasks at hand with great zeal, and it's really amazing to watch. She loves people so well, is a great listener, and she always does the right things at the appropriate times. When it's time for fun, she goes all out, and when it's time to be serious, she is locked in, which I loved watching this year. Oh, she also embraces her shortness and loves veggies more than anyone I know.

What’s next?: She is searching for a job in the Kansas City area, and is hoping to get engaged to her boyfriend and settle down in KC.

To Samantha:

You are amazing! Thank you for loving me and the team through trial and obstacle, for all the work you did in ministry, and for forcing me to eat veggies this year. You have so much joy, and with your small package it's uncontainable. I pray you continue to share your witness with the world, and know of my prayers for you in all your endeavors. Love you sista!