Core Leaders are a team of peer leaders who serve Fuel by helping to plan trips, events, lead teams encourage members of Fuel to grow in their Christian walk and leadership.
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How did you get involved with Fuel?  Well, in college I was very involved with Campus Crusade for
Christ. When I graduated in 2005, I knew I needed to find a group that
would support me and help me to grow in my Christian faith, especially
coming from a non-Christian family. I did a lot of church shopping,
but nothing seemed to fit. I wanted a group of people in their 20s who
were not in college anymore. One group had people who were way older,
one with way younger people...I eventually found a group in Huntington
Beach. But they were disbanding! But the pastor recommended Mariners
Church, and told me about the singles group there. I hopped on the
website, and came the next week!After a few weeks there, I knew I needed to volunteer for
something or I wouldn't get noticed. So I joined the greeting team
(the Pipeline) and began meeting people. The longer I stayed, the more
I loved it! It's been over 2 years, and I can't imagine my life
without Fuel.
Fuel is a place where I can take risks in many different areas - spiritually, emotionally, and even physically! Last year at Snow 20, I decided to go snowboarding for the first time. i went with my friends Dani and Heather, and we had such a great time. Fell down a lot (a LOT), and got really sore, but it didn't matter. I had great friends who were with me as we went down the mountain. It took an hour, but it was such a great moment! I felt powerful! Why are you involved with Belong? What does it mean to you? I believe that one of the most important things in life is community.
Everyone needs people around them who will encourage them, support
them, love them, and guide them to live a life devoted to Jesus. Fuel
has that community, and Belong works to keep it getting better. What are your favorite things to do? I love to read - I read a LOT. And of course, I love music (being a
music teacher). I listen to music constantly - all sorts. I also love
watching movies and great TV (aka the Office and Lost), working out at
the gym, playing golf, and hanging out with my great friends from
Fuel. And, okay, well, I am a musician and a music teacher, so I play...17
instruments. Yes, that's right. Not all of them well! I took piano
lessons, I majored in clarinet, and I currently take violin lessons.
And let me explain the "irrigation" thing. While we were on a
Core Retreat last year in Palm Springs, a group of us were driving to
dinner. I was thinking about how amazing it is that all around Palm
Springs is desert, but the city itself looks like nice with trees and
plants and stuff. I mentioned that to the car, and followed it up
(after a pause) with, "Yay for irrigation!" Justin, our pastor, seemed
to think this was truly hilarious. He came back and told the entire
Fuel group. I have been pretty relentlessly teased about it since -
"Look Liz, there's a sprinkler over there! Yay for irrigation!" I
even got a shirt with that statement! (although I admit, I find the
shirt pretty awesome!) I didn't mean it to be funny, but apparently
when I don't try, I am much funnier. :)
| Name: Liz Thomson Age: 25 Profession: Music Teacher Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA
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FUEL is a ministry of Mariners Church, 2001 Bonita Canyon Drive, Newport Beach, California 92660