Meet Compass: Kate Allison

Name:  Kate Allison

Age:  21

Hometown:  Sugar Land, Texas

College: Baylor

Major: Business

One Interesting fact about me: I grew up leading worship for the youth group and children’s ministry of Sugar Land Baptist Church and absolutely loved it. I’ve always had a passion for music and this was such an intentional way for me to show that love and passion while giving back to the place where my relationship with Jesus Christ was formed. I was also a drum major in High School which was one of the most rewarding leadership roles I have ever had the privilege of serving in. I loved getting to lead the band on and off the field as an independent Christian leader.

One thing I absolutely love doing, and have done for years, is wakesurfing. It’s very similar to wakeboarding behind a boat if you’re familiar with that, however, you are standing on a surf board right behind the back of the boat which is being weighed down by giant bags, or ballasts, of water to create a wave big enough to surf on. This is my happy place. I just recently mastered the 360 turn on the board without holding on to the rope, which is a lot harder than it now looks. Being on the water is where I can just be myself with my mom and my dad. They’re my two best friends and biggest supporters, so sharing this special hobby with them each time I go home is always something I can look forward to.

Why did you sign-up for Compass? This past May was a hard time for me. I was not in a good place in my walk with Christ and was not making the wisest decisions. The Lord had a different plan for my summer than I intended, but I was too stubborn to listen or hear him. I didn’t realize it in the moment, but The Lord slowly began taking certain things from my life in Waco until I was able to recognize where he needed me to be. I was still so stubborn. It wasn’t until He had taken everything from me in Waco that I finally realized where he wanted me to be. Through a conversation with one of my best friends, it became clear that I needed Camp Cho-Yeh just as much as it needed me. Camp Cho-Yeh is my home away from home and it has been for 14 years. I came a week later for staff training for summer camp with the mindset of, “God show me where you want me. Show me where you need me.” He made it clear on day one. My good friend, Brooke Brezina, came running up to me in excitement and joy. She told me all about this new gap year program, Compass, that camp was starting this year. Her excitement and knowledge of the program intrigued me. She sounded so eager to tell me about it. She then pulled the director, Dave, himself aside to answer any questions about Compass that I might have. Every single day after that during staff training, The Lord pointed me in some way towards Compass. Once I finally decided that everything about Compass intrigued me from the classes, mission work, and so much more, I made the decision to enroll. I have never felt more called by God to do something in my entire life.

This time next year what do you want to say about your Gap Year Experience?I am so eager to see how the Lord shapes each and every one of the students involved in Compass this upcoming year. I cannot wait to see how much I grow and mature in my faith this time next year. I have already enjoyed this program more than I thought possible and want to encourage all of you who are even slightly considering taking a Gap Year to take a leap of faith and do it. Just do it.  I can already tell that it will be the most rewarding 9 months I have ever invested in in my life.