The Life-Changing Value of Volunteering
In 2004, while attending Foothills Church here in Seneca, I began to sense that God was leading me away from my life in radiology and into what I now know to be vocational ministry. So, on a random Tuesday, I made an appointment with one of our pastors to discuss this little nudge I felt to do something for the Kingdom of God. During that meeting, the pastor asked some great questions and helped me get connected to a volunteer team.
Over the following months, I volunteered on Sunday mornings and one day each week. I did everything from ordering pens to cleaning restrooms. From what I could see, ministry was not glamorous, but I enjoyed feeling part of something bigger than myself. The months of service turned into a year, and soon after that, I became a part-time staff member at the church.
Instead of cleaning the restroom, I led a team of people who cleaned the toilets, greeted the guests, and created a welcoming environment at our church. At that time, our first impression ministry had a couple of hundred people serving, and I was in the thick of it all. Then and now I view leading people in Kingdom work as an undeserved privilege. I do not have a ministry, fundraising, or nonprofit leadership degree, but what I had was more valuable than that. I had one person who believed in me and saw my true potential.
Today, I get to be the one who sees greatness in others and calls it out. I get to be the one who provides opportunities for people to go from volunteer to staff member to ministry leader. While not everyone becomes a paid staff member, they all become people with one heart, mind, and spirit, willing to do the small and great things required to grow the Kingdom of God right here in Oconee County.
We need volunteers of all ages, stations of life, and skill levels are to assist with our work at Collins Family Ministries. We seek those who would enjoy tutoring kids and young adults, mentoring families and at-risk youth, and we need life coaches to provide one-on-one skill sessions for those in need. Of course, many other behind-the-scenes opportunities only require a willing heart! For example, you can assist with yard work, provide a meal to the children who call Collins home, help with office management, and so much more.
Thank you to those of you who already do so much. For those who want to do more or get connected for the first time, visit https://www.collinschildrenshome.org/connect.
After all, you never know how your volunteer service will change the lives of others and even your own.
By Kelly Ross, Collins Family Ministries CEO