Q&A with Melissa Wilde, our new Student Ministry Summer Intern

Johannah Huber May 14, 2026

Meet Melissa 🎶 

We’re excited to welcome back one of our Summer Student Ministry Interns: Melissa! 

After serving as a Summer Intern last year, Melissa is back for another summer with Student Ministry — and we couldn’t be more excited to have her on the team again.

Melissa and her family began attending Orangewood Church in 2023, but she says what truly drew her in was Student Ministry. Throughout high school, The Space became a place where she felt known, welcomed, and encouraged in her faith.

“My youth group leaders were so open about their faith and truly helped me have a genuine relationship with the Lord,” Melissa shared.

Now, after experiencing firsthand the impact Student Ministry can have, Melissa is excited to continue investing in students the same way others once invested in her.

🎓 Life Lately 

Melissa just finished her freshman year at UCF, where she’s studying nursing and playing on the UCF club lacrosse team.

This summer, she’s especially excited to get to know students through camps, events, and all the fun moments that come with summer in Student Ministry.

“I’m most excited to get to know all the students and learn about their faith in fun environments through the different summer events and camps.”

🌴 A Little About Melissa 

Melissa was born and raised right here in Maitland, Florida and comes from a super close-knit family.

Some of her favorite memories involve family trips to New York City and weekly “Pizza Fridays” at Mellow Mushroom. She’s especially close with her sister London, who she calls her best friend. Together they love playing lacrosse, going to the gym, and finding sweet treats around town.

Melissa also shared that her parents have been incredible examples of Christ-like love throughout her life. Her mom teaches at Orangewood, her dad is a lawyer, and her younger brother Christopher is “the most athletic and creative 10-year-old” she knows.

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🎵 Melissa’s Quick Hits 

Favorite Food: Any pasta her dad makes

Favorite Restaurant: Chipotle

Guilty Pleasure: Drinking Dr. Pepper while watching The Office

Favorite Author: Jenny Han

Favorite Music: Country music and artists like Jack Johnson, Morgan Wallen, Taylor Swift, and Sticky Fingers

🏐 Outside of Ministry 

When she’s not studying nursing or playing lacrosse, Melissa loves spending time with family and friends, listening to music, and staying active.

She also claims her hidden talent is being able to do the worm backwards… which honestly feels like something we’ll need video proof of this summer.

And one more fun fact: Melissa loves music so much that her name was actually inspired by her parents’ love of music.

❤️ Looking Ahead to Summer 

Melissa is excited to spend the summer building relationships with students, hearing their stories, and helping create environments where they can grow in their faith and have fun doing it.

We’re so excited to have Melissa serving with Student Ministry again this summer! If you see her around, be sure to say hello — and maybe ask her about lacrosse, New York City, or her backwards worm skills.