Sarah Collings grabs a rare moment of relaxation outside her workplace at the Bell Buckle Cafe before getting back to her studies, waiting tables, and raising funds for her mission trip to Mexico. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

The petite Bell Buckle teenager recently graduated from Bellwood Christian Academy in Murfreesboro and she's ready for the next step. Despite her high grades, it isn't college. Despite her success as a barrel racer, it isn't the rodeo circuit.

No, her calling is just that -- a calling to the ministry.

"In August, I'm going to start a program at Honor Academy, near Tyler, Texas," she said. "It's a ministry internship. You do a lot of mission work and it's good for young people."

Honor Academy is an offshoot of the youth-oriented non-denominational organization started by Ron Luce, which includes "Acquire the Fire," a traveling ministry that holds rallies and special events across the country. It was at one such event that Sarah first felt an interest spark.

"It sounded like such a good opportunity," she said. "You've got a year, there are no distractions, and you can seek God."

That year isn't spent in quiet meditation, however.

"You're required to put in 30 hours of mission work a week -- that's a job right there," she said. "You're also taking classes to prepare you for the mission field."

Just what her mission field will be, she doesn't know.

"They evaluate you when you get there to find out what your niche is," Sarah said. ""I've never been on a mission trip before. I really, really love little kids, and I know they set up Vacation Bible Schools, so I'd like to do that. But I'm open to whatever they want me to do."

Sarah will actually begin her mission work before heading off to Honor Academy. She'll be going to Tijuana, Mexico, at the end of July to work with the poor there, building homes and holding Bible school for the children. She has spent her summer so far taking Spanish classes at her old school, and waiting tables at the Bell Buckle Café.

Unlike most internships, which offer experience for labor, or pay the intern a nominal amount, this internship requires the intern to pay. In that sense, it is more of a college course. As of this year, Honor Academy has been accredited and the work Sarah does will count as college courses.

The cost for the year is $7,800, and that doesn't include mission expenses -- such as airfare to the mission destination. There are no scholarships or grants.

"They really encourage you to do your own fundraising, because that's what you're going to be doing for the mission -- going to churches and others and asking for money," said Sarah.

So far, she has about $1,000 saved, and several members of her church have donated by going to the Honor Academy web site and direct-depositing gifts into her account. She has had bake sales and is planning some car washes.

Sarah has most of the mission money she needs for Tijuana, but not the airfare.

Her barrel racer, a 9-year-old quarter horse, is on the market.

"I hate to sell her, but I need the money. She would just be standing around in the field for the next four years anyway. This is better for her," said Sarah.

The Honor Academy is a one-year program, although you can take it a second year. Sarah doesn't plan to. She wants to go to a university after her mission year is up -- but that doesn't mean her mission work will be over.

"Wherever I go, whatever I do with my life, it's a mission," she said. "I'm thinking about the medical field. My mother [Zarita Collings] is a nurse. One thing you always see on mission announcements is: 'Doctors needed.'"