Life. One simple word that takes on so many different meanings. Have you ever had a bad life experience and thought, “Well, that’s just life?” We all have at some time or another. But, as I’m going to share in just a minute, it’s not “just life” at all. God has a plan, and he uses every event in your life for his glory. I want to tell you a little bit of my story and why I have such a passion to see life change in others. I can sit and tell you guys all day long how passionate I am about Volunteer Ministry, but for you to truly understand this passion I want you to know what God has done to bring me here.
My husband and I were married at 19 and 20 years old. After being married for about 4 years something was falling apart in our relationship. We fought all the time and used the “D” (divorce, not the other) word a few times. We were living for ourselves, and that was it. I accepted Jesus at the age of 16 but never learned how to live totally for Him. My husband had accepted Jesus as a child. We attended church but had a very shallow commitment and low involvement. We hit rock bottom one day, and I left the house thinking it was over and that I couldn’t do it anymore. Somehow we managed to reconcile that argument and came back together. It was at that point that our life started taking a turn. A friend started inviting us to a bible study that Perry was teaching and we finally gave in and went. We left speechless. We actually understood what he was saying and could relate it to our lives! Shortly after that NewSpring Church began and we were there with much anticipation. We were accepted by people and they befriended us…in the midst of our struggles. Then, we were asked to get involved and lead the Levite team. I did not know what a Levite was but said sure anyway. My husband and I took out the trash, cleaned the toilets, and set up chairs every week. Not long after that we started leading a Home Group. We were so far out of our comfort zone, but we served together as a family. We began to learn what a godly marriage is, how to have a quiet time, and how to put God first in our lives. When I was thinking “that’s just life, everybody gets divorced,” God was getting my attention all along. He knew what we really needed.
As we began to grow in our personal walks with Christ and in our marriage, God began to challenge us. As we began to be obedient to God’s call on our lives, we were blessed beyond imagination. I began to pray for accountability and guidance in my walk. Not long after that I was asked to come on staff at NewSpring as the church secretary. I told Perry I was not worthy to be on staff at a church. He told me that that is why he wanted me on staff. Crazy. So, I accepted, once again feeling way over my head. Talk about an answer to prayer–there was my accountability! I began to look back at life and clearly see how God’s hand was on it the entire time. It was never “just life”.
To fast forward from that point almost seven years ago, God has continued to rock my world. I’ve been involved in several different ministry roles from church secretary to Perry’s assistant to the accounting/HR department to membership assimilation and to the volunteer ministry. God has grown me and built my character in so many ways. I’ve been able to take so much from every leader that I’ve served with.
What impacted my life through all of this? It was not just attending every week. It was getting involved in ministry. It was the constant challenge to do things I never imagined. It was surrounding myself with accountability. It was seeing how God could use me to influence others for Christ. It was developing confidence in the places God led me to serve. It was embracing God’s direction.
When I think back over the past eight years since first coming to NewSpring and how this church has impacted me, my family, my walk, and my passion I’ve realized…that’s life.
This is where I get my passion for volunteer ministry.
Tell me about your life and where you get your passion to serve. How have you experienced life change since coming to NewSpring and getting involved in ministry?
Volunteering at NewSpring has been the answer to an earnest prayer…”to grow closer to Jesus”.
In my past church, I volunteered for 15 years;
At NewSpring, I’ve been volunteering for almost a year.
In my past church, I was in leadership, out front, close and personal to the members;
At NewSpring, I’m usually in a room praying by myself (or with one other) close and personal to Jesus.
In my past church, I often found myself focusing on how I sounded when I prayed;
At NewSpring, I’ve become more focused on being with and really talking to Jesus…the answer to my prayer.
Hi Sherry, thanks for sharing your story. In volunteering at NS we received way more in sharing our time and energy. From Kim and the 3 year olds to me in security and greeting. I would encourage anyone to get involved. You won’t be remembered by what you keep, only what you give away.
I love parking cars in the mornings. I get to see
everyone and we have a ball out there. I started
during Summer Blockbuster and I haven’t looked back.
Volunteering has helped my wife, Savannah, and me
both grow in our walk with God and we’re continueing
to grow. Plus we probably get talked about by the
“first timers” a good bit. “That’s the church where
they direct traffic.” GOD IS AWESOME !!!
Sherry,
Much like your family, my family was a wreck. Tonya and I had seperated, my kids didn’t trust me, my career had fallen apart, and we had lost all earthly possessions. I was the “Ultimate Runner”! I was the “Drug Child” Perry always talks about. I was forced to attend church or move out of my parents home, which is what I finally did.I didn’t want to hear about Christ or even a song on the radio that mentioned him.
But one day in a act of defiance, I challeged God to come and get me (from the voice of experience, don’t ever do that unless you are ready for him to really do it.)and boy did he do it!!! Our heavenly father humbled a big tough guy who thought he would never set foot in another church, not to mention volunteer at one. He rocked my world and continues to do so!
Which is the reason I have to volunteer at Newspring, whether its the Prayer Team, Majestic Greeters, Membership Assimilator, or just helping out at the Baptisms. I love watching fellow “Runners” cross over from death to life.
Since Christ changed my life, I am not perfect, things are not always a bed of roses, but my wife loves me, my children trust me and we all enjoy the opportunity serving at Newspring. Give Christ a try and you too can put up your running shoes.
Thanks for sharing that. I loved the part where you said that God is using EVERYTHING in our lives for HIS GLORY!! AMEN!!
We are about to take a huge step of faith. We have found a house out in the country on 4 beautiful acres. It is an older home that needs a little TLC, but we feel God is calling us to it. We know that he has called us to financial freedom, and this will be a huge step in our quest to get that way. I must say there is a lot about it that scares me to death, but I can see God’s hand all over it, and I know that when we surrendered to his call on our lives last March, we told him we would do whatever he wanted us to do.
This is an awesome stage in our lives full of great anticipation of what God is going to do. Your story inspired me to KEEP THE FAITH and TRUST JESUS for all we need!!