KELLY URBON

A Story Featuring a Summer HoneyRock Pastor

By HoneyRock Center for Leadership Development

June 28^th, 2022

Keep an eye out for our upcoming stories featuring our HoneyRock pastors over the next few weeks! As HoneyRock continues to grow in year-round programming, we hope to partner with pastors who are willing to volunteer in both the summer and the school year months.

Kelly Urbon is one of HoneyRock Pastors who has joined us in both the school year and the summer, it's exciting to have a partnership with her and her family throughout the year!

Interested in serving HoneyRock in this way? Email leah.wolf@wheaton.edu

Who is a HoneyRock Pastor?

"During the school year, camp pastors offer a chance for students to hear from new voices around important faith questions and topics and engage in meaningful conversations. Camp pastors typically lead our community in devotions throughout the week and teach several sessions on a faith related topic. Students also get the benefit of meeting with the Camp pastor one on one if desired to ask follow up questions. "

Charlie Goeke, School Year Programs Director

"The HoneyRock pastor has no other role but to provide care and to be a resource for the staff, using their time and gifts to provide love and support."

Kelly Urbon

KELLY URBON

Kelly's first trip to HoneyRock was in 1987 as a participant in student leadership training week. She has been a big fan ever since. Kelly received her BA in Biblical Studies from Evangel University, and an MA in Clinical Psychology from the Wheaton College Graduate School, remaining on campus from 1987-2000 to work in student development and in the college counseling center. She left to join a group practice where she did individual and marital counseling for a number of years. Kelly then served as the Teaching Director for a community bible study class in Naperville, before ultimately returning to work at Wheaton College once again (2019-2021), this time in the Chaplain’s office, with a focus on all things related to human sexuality. Kelly brought her husband, Todd, to camp with her this week - as well as daughter Jenna, and son Sam, who both spent several summers as HoneyRock campers.

Urbon Family: Sam (left), Todd (middle), Kelly (back right), Janna (front right)

WE ASKED KELLY A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT HER TIME HERE AND THIS IS WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY...

How did you get connected with HoneyRock?

K: I first came to HoneyRock in 1987. I had taken a job in residence life at Wheaton College, and student leader training was held up here before classes started. I did that several times, and also came up with my dad once, when HoneyRock hosted a family fishing event for Wheaton employees. Later, my two children became HoneyRock campers.

What made you decide to serve as a volunteer in this position?

K: I love the student population and I love talking with them about faith, relationships, and all the things they are pondering and learning at this stage of life. Ashley Paige Kiley [Camp Programs Director] asked me to come up after some training that I did with Vanguard Gap Year students in the fall, where we talked about sexuality and being disciples of Christ. For young people, this is one of the central issues of their lives. I think we can do a more comprehensive job of helping young people think through what it means to be a disciple of Christ in a sexual way, just as in every other part of our lives. In order for them to help and support campers, they have to have a vision of what it looks like to move forward as a disciple of Christ when it comes to sexuality. So I am here to help with that process.

Kelly reads Scripture as she leads a staff devotional in the "Devo Circle".

Why do you think the role of a pastor is so important at HoneyRock, both during the school year and summer?

K: Everyone is so committed to their various roles here at HoneyRock, whether that be serving as a counselor, preparing meals in the kitchen, or mowing the lawn. And those roles keep them busy as they strive to provide the best experience for campers. The HoneyRock pastor has no other role but to provide care and to be a resource for the staff, using their time and gifts to provide love and support.

Can you tell us what your week at HoneyRock this summer looks like?

K: I get to lead and participate in morning devotions, facilitate a summer staff training on sexuality as disciples of Christ, and meet with smaller groups to discuss various topics and answer any questions. I’m also available for 1:1 meetings. In between, I enjoy the Northwoods with my husband and kids - campfires, pickle ball, kayaking - all the fun things!

Kelly leads a training session with summer staff, "Sex and the Disciple of Christ"

Kelly leads a training session in the Chapel with summer staff, "Sex and the Disciple of Christ"

How would you describe your experience as Camp Pastor during the school year? What is different about serving during the summer?

K: I came up in the fall in a related capacity. The group is smaller then, so it was definitely easier to meet with students and staff individually. It’s also more peaceful and quiet, because there are fewer people on-site. There is also a sense of deepening community, even only in October. Now I’m here at the beginning of the summer, during the last week of training before campers arrive. There’s definitely a different energy getting ready for campers - it’s really fabulous and joyful.

Another thing that I’ve noticed is, while HoneyRock is always others-oriented, the focus on service to others is very present and felt during this time of staff training. It’s definitely a time of joyful preparation and service.

What is your favorite part of pastoring the summer community at HoneyRock? What about the school year community?

K: My favorite part about pastoring the HoneyRock community is participating in the discipleship of a younger generation. It’s a privilege to play even a small part in strengthening the future leaders of the church. I think that the longer you’ve been a Christian, the more you understand what the process is like. It’s really nice to be able to help younger Christians understand what it means and looks like to live a life serving Christ. It’s a good and beautiful thing. And I can share with them that it’s not just hard, but also full of joy.

It’s so valuable when people who have walked longer and farther with Christ can explain what that process is going to be as you live it out - and I enjoy doing that! Partly because over time it has been such a joyful experience for me. Truly where God is taking us is is good. I can say that because I’ve lived it!

Kelly leads a devotional in the "devo circle" for summer staff as they prepare for campers arrival in just a few short days.

Thank you, Kelly and Urbon family, for your service and ministry here at HoneyRock this past week! We are so grateful for your partnership with us. Come again soon!