Today we’d like to introduce you to Cam Hill.
Hi Cam, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My wife and I moved into the Nicholtown Community in September 2013. After living in the community for 3 years, serving in the community garden, and playing lots and lots of pick-up basketball in the neighborhood, we decided to start a ministry for middle and high school students. Many of the neighborhood elders and community leaders voiced concerns that there weren’t enough opportunities for the youth in the Nicholtown neighborhood. We partnered with the Phillis Wheatley Community Center to launch a weekly Open Gym in response to the concerns. We wanted to build meaningful relationships with students in the neighborhood around a shared passion for basketball. We thought this would always be a volunteer opportunity, but the Lord had other plans. After several years, the ministry of Eleos had grown. We began an afterschool program and leadership development programs. Eventually, the board asked if I would step away from my full-time job as a local pastor and join the ministry full-time as the Executive Director. Eleos and its sister ministry, GOAT (Great Outdoor Adventure Trips), became apart of a ministry collective called Lead Collective. Lead Collective was formed in 2020 (shortly before the pandemic), and we launched a third ministry in partnership with Eleos and GOAT, entitled Reach. Reach launched in August of 2021. The mission of Reach is to see today’s incarcerated youth become tomorrow’s leaders. We meet students while at the Juvenile Detention Facility and walk with them through a 1-year re-entry program upon their release. God is on a renewal mission, and I’m beyond grateful to partner with Him. I’m humbled and honored to serve alongside an incredible staff team of passionate and talented people. Our entrepreneurship story is about stumbling forward, one step at a time. There wasn’t a masterplan. It’s never been glamorous. God has been kind and gracious, and we’ve been invited into a journey we don’t deserve to be on. We’re just thankful to be here and for the countless generous supporters who make it all possible.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Honestly, this journey has had countless challenges, but the greatest challenge involves overcoming the obstacles created through historical and systemic racial injustice. The racial divide in our country is deeper and wider than we can imagine. The harder you work towards reconciliation, the further you realize you are from experiencing it as it was meant to be. The closer you get to the trauma and disenfranchisement of the historically under-resourced communities in Greenville, the deeper you realize the wounds are. The problems our communities face are incredibly complex. The sin of racism has created incalculable obstacles to a just and equitable world. We’ve felt these and experienced them firsthand. And I can say without a doubt Jesus keeps us in the fight. We are tempted to despair often. The work of renewal is harder than we could have imagined, but we’ve seen God show up and bring hope and transformation in ways we couldn’t have dreamed. Jesus may be our only hope, but he’s certainly enough.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
“The need for youth development services is ever-growing, and we’re excited to continue meeting those needs in our community!
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Greenville is a great city for a family of 5. We love being outside and take full advantage of all the great parks and trails. The restaurants and top-notch coffee scene are also another great reason why we love this city! I dislike the increased traffic, but as a transplant I can’t complain… I’m part of the problem!
Pricing:
- Free
- Please donate so everything remains free
Contact Info:
- Website: www.leadgvl.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goattrips/;https://www.instagram.com/reachgvl/;https://www.instagram.com/eleos_ministry/;https://www.instagram.com/leadcollectivegvl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goattrips/;https://www.facebook.com/reachgvl;https://www.facebook.com/eleosgvl;https://www.facebook.com/LeadGvl
Image Credits
Brian Knox, and Danielle Bryson.
