December: Take a Step to Serve OUT in the Community

Living a “life on mission,” requires intentionality. It means looking for opportunities to interact with those who not only need to hear the hope of the Gospel, but to see it in deed as well. And sometimes that’s what they need to see first. As you prayerfully examine where you live, work, and play, asking God to reveal opportunities to explore, you may realize you need more relationships with people you don’t already know, or a project that allows you to use your gifts, to let God use you as an agent of His love in someone’s life. Start by praying specifically for guidance and open doors. 

Throughout the month, we’re going to offer some practical places and suggestions for serving OUT in our community, but feel free to dive into other opportunities as God presents them. You can check our “Serve in the Community” page as well for more ideas. Regardless, you don’t need to wait for us to suggest something. The point is to ask yourself and God, praying “where can I make an impact in my neighborhood and community?” Got further questions or want to run an idea by us? Please reach out, we’re here to help.

• Week 1: As you prepare to serve OUT in the community, start with prayer. If you live with your family, or you’re in a Growth Group, consider serving together. Right now, it may be something simple, but it’s about building consistency and regularity. For some, it’s about taking an initial step to do something. For others, it may be taking what you’re doing further and looking to develop relationships with those around you as you serve more often.
• Week 2: The road to recovery from an addiction can be extremely difficult and overwhelming. But there is hope! Consider being the one that helps bring hope to someone in this situation, whether in small or large ways. Learn more about great local organizations and partners, like: Fellowship Missions, Kosciusko County Jail Chemical Addiction Program (JCAP), All Things New, or Rose Garden Recovery. Then reach out to them and sign up to serve. 
• Week 3: (Orphaned and Vulnerable Children) If you have a heart for kids and believe a healthy support system is critical to their success, dig deeper in learning how you can help. There are multiple areas where you can have an impact on hurting families and vulnerable children. From serving your local school, to helping organizations on the front lines, like: CASA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, New Mercies, Heartline Pregnancy Center, United Way, Combined Community Services, Habitat for Humanity, or WCC’s Elementary School Teams just to name a few. Find out more, contact them with questions, and sign up to serve. 
  • Connect with a family you personally know who is fostering or has adopted to see if you can offer support through meals, respite care, etc. For more information on families you could invest in at WCC, please contact Laura Robertson (lrobertson@warsaw.cc)
  • Room at the Table (https://www.facebook.com/groups/2118834625020704/) 
  • Join us as we serve our local DCS staff by providing lunch for them this winter and various other opportunities. Contact Laura Robertson for more information (lrobertson@warsaw.cc)  
• Week 4: (Exploring Extracurricular Activities and Hobbies) Do you, or someone in your family, participate in anything outside of your home or workplace? Consider getting more involved where you live, work, or play. Volunteer to coach a team, sit on a board, organize groups of people with the same interest in your neighborhood, at school, or through your job, become an officer on the PTO, form a band. What are you interested in? Explore further and grow deeper relationships with others through your interests, passions, or skill sets! Not sure where to look, you might consider reaching out to the Kosciusko County Community Foundation for a list of non-profits in the area, check out the Volunteer Match website for our area, touch base with your local school, or talk to your neighbors and coworkers about the challenges you see in our community and how you might join together to help.

To learn more about Life on Mission click here.