Summer Pursuit Band offers music and ministry opportunities

Published: June 20, 2023

Members of the GU Summer Pursuit Band are (front row, from left) Jeremiah Vanzandt and Aidan Hagler, and (back row, from left) Camila Aristy Jaime, Jaden LeTellier, Andrea Buettner, and Macy Shipman.

They all share a love of music. But for seven weeks this summer, members of the Greenville University Summer Pursuit Band also will share life together as they provide music at Christian camps for high school students and families in locations across Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

“I’m a worship arts and ministry major, and this is literally what I want to do in my career– lead music and do youth ministry,” said Macy Shipman, the group’s keyboardist. “Worship in a camp setting is unique because God can work in amazing ways in that environment. There, they can experience Jesus in a way that is new to them.”

This year’s Summer Pursuit band began its tour the week of June 11 in Springfield, Illinois, and will conclude the week of July 23 in Mukwonago, Wisconsin. In between, they will return to Greenville to provide music at the weeklong Free Methodist Bible Quiz Finals, June 26-30 on the GU campus. They also have a three-day high school camp on Sept. 1-3 at Durley Camp and Retreat Center near Governor Bond Lake.

Members of the band are: Camila Aristy Jaime, vocals; Andrea Buettner, bass; Aidan Hagler, vocals; Jaden LeTellier, acoustic guitar; Macy Shipman, piano and vocals; and Jeremiah Vanzandt, percussion. Luke Rushik will be the group’s sound technician for most of the tour.

“I’m excited to meet people, and grow musically and spiritually,” said Hagler. “I want to use my gifts to glorify God. It will be fun to be with this amazing team.”

Nathan Kriebel, the band’s touring manager, said he is excited for this summer’s group. “This team is younger than some we’ve had in recent years, but I look forward to how they’ll grow spiritually and in their relationships with each other. Summer tour is a great learning experience.”

Kriebel was part of two Summer Pursuit Tour bands as an undergraduate student majoring in worship arts and minoring in theology. He now serves as worship and discipleship director at Smith Grove Baptist Church in rural Greenville.

LeTellier said that the combination of music and ministry makes the Summer Pursuit Band a unique experience. “I’m excited about being around a group of like-minded musicians for several weeks,” said the audio engineering major. “But beyond the music, we have an opportunity to tell the kids that God loves them. It’s a privilege to share our faith in that unique setting.”

And finally, Buettner, the lone senior in the band, sees the tour experience as a foretaste of her future career. “I’m going to graduate in a year, and being a part of this band allows me to put my worship arts training into practice before I get out there. We have a unique opportunity to encourage kids in their walk with Christ.”