Summer is about to begin. We're not yet sure if the weather knows it, but summer is just around the corner. Sowing Hope is excited about the opportunities we'll have to minister to under-resourced kids and their families during the months of June, July, and August. The kids are also looking forward to the fun-packed summer.
Stephanie and I are back from a year at school-Stephanie from Grace College and Jacob from Dallas Theological Seminary. We are ready to dive into serving the Lord alongside His people from Wooster Grace!!
One of the exciting things for me at the beginning of summer ministry has been seeing God lead His people to commit to doing the work of ministry. He is doing this again this summer yet has gone about it in some new, fun ways. (This reminds me of what one of my professors at school has said on numerous occasion. It goes something like this: "What God has done in the past is a model of what He will do in the future. Yet He is too creative to do the same thing the same way more than once.")
For in past years God provided volunteers for Sowing Hope through us making phone calls or sending e-mails. But this summer, while we have been and will be initiating the first contact with people to fill ministry positions, God is prompting many to approach us to ask how they can be involved in summer ministry. What joy God has brought me the past weeks through many faithful volunteers because they walked up to me and expressed interest in serving kids and families in the heart of Wooster!
Below are just a few of the many encounters Stephanie and I will have this summer with people who have chosen either to make the first contact or to choose to generously give of their time for the Lord.
While I was still at school in Texas, I received an e-mail from a Wooster grace family. They expressed interest in getting involved this summer. I believe this will be their first summer serving through Sowing Hope. This is the first time, I think, that a Sowing Hope intern received such an e-mail while he/she was still at school! Thanks, Lord!!!!
My first Sunday back from school, Lynda approached me to ask if we still needed a bus driver for Vacation Bible School. Lynda has exhibited great faithfulness in service, compassion for those in need, and love for others the past five years. For she has devoted her early mornings (7:20 am or earlier until 9:15 am) and afternoons (12:30 pm to 1:40 or later) to pick up and drop off kids for VBS. She has even given up her Friday evening of VBS week to transport kids and some parents to VBS Closing Program. She has done this not for just one or two years but for the past five years!! And for the kids and Sowing Hope volunteers she is more than a bus driver. She serves the children by allowing them to help her in small ways, by passing out any papers that the kids may have forgotten, and by talking with kids. She's a follower of Christ who is using her abilities to bless others and serve the Lord. I'm so excited that this will be serving again this summer! Thanks, Lynda, for your faithfulness!
That same Sunday one of the many high school student who served faithfully last summer approached me in the hallway. "When are we starting up, Jacob?" he asked enthusiastically. What an encouragement it was to see his excitement and commitment to to return to three apartment complexes! He's ready to play with and love kids ON THEIR OWN TURF for the sake of doing the Lord's work. Praise the Lord!
Lastly, Stephanie and I were excited to have the opportunity to share about Sowing Hope and ask for volunteers at yesterday's High School Ministries mission trip meeting. Before we spoke, I had prayed that the Lord would prod students to choose to serve. I am amazed at how the Lord did more than I could ask or think! The Lord provided abundantly as 17 students approached us to express their interest in serving this summer. Students, thanks for being on mission not only when you're away on a missions trip but even in your own sphere of influence back home. Thanks for wanting to boldly shine for Jesus wherever you are. Stephanie and I are excited to serve with you this summer!
Many more stories could be shared of how God has saw fit to faithfully encourage me in ministry by providing workers for His service and harvest field.
Instead of sharing more encounters, though, a couple questions seem to be fitting here:
1. How are you going out into the world to make disciples of Jesus Christ?
2. Will you participate in the Lord's work of bringing people to Himself and growing them in His Son wherever you are this summer?
3. Is God prodding you to serve under-privileged kids and even adults this summer in the heart of Wooster?
If so, contact us at sowinghope@woostergrace.org to inform us of how the Lord is leading you to impact the lives of people who live in the heart of our city.
Stephanie and I are back from a year at school-Stephanie from Grace College and Jacob from Dallas Theological Seminary. We are ready to dive into serving the Lord alongside His people from Wooster Grace!!
One of the exciting things for me at the beginning of summer ministry has been seeing God lead His people to commit to doing the work of ministry. He is doing this again this summer yet has gone about it in some new, fun ways. (This reminds me of what one of my professors at school has said on numerous occasion. It goes something like this: "What God has done in the past is a model of what He will do in the future. Yet He is too creative to do the same thing the same way more than once.")For in past years God provided volunteers for Sowing Hope through us making phone calls or sending e-mails. But this summer, while we have been and will be initiating the first contact with people to fill ministry positions, God is prompting many to approach us to ask how they can be involved in summer ministry. What joy God has brought me the past weeks through many faithful volunteers because they walked up to me and expressed interest in serving kids and families in the heart of Wooster!
Below are just a few of the many encounters Stephanie and I will have this summer with people who have chosen either to make the first contact or to choose to generously give of their time for the Lord.
While I was still at school in Texas, I received an e-mail from a Wooster grace family. They expressed interest in getting involved this summer. I believe this will be their first summer serving through Sowing Hope. This is the first time, I think, that a Sowing Hope intern received such an e-mail while he/she was still at school! Thanks, Lord!!!!
My first Sunday back from school, Lynda approached me to ask if we still needed a bus driver for Vacation Bible School. Lynda has exhibited great faithfulness in service, compassion for those in need, and love for others the past five years. For she has devoted her early mornings (7:20 am or earlier until 9:15 am) and afternoons (12:30 pm to 1:40 or later) to pick up and drop off kids for VBS. She has even given up her Friday evening of VBS week to transport kids and some parents to VBS Closing Program. She has done this not for just one or two years but for the past five years!! And for the kids and Sowing Hope volunteers she is more than a bus driver. She serves the children by allowing them to help her in small ways, by passing out any papers that the kids may have forgotten, and by talking with kids. She's a follower of Christ who is using her abilities to bless others and serve the Lord. I'm so excited that this will be serving again this summer! Thanks, Lynda, for your faithfulness!
That same Sunday one of the many high school student who served faithfully last summer approached me in the hallway. "When are we starting up, Jacob?" he asked enthusiastically. What an encouragement it was to see his excitement and commitment to to return to three apartment complexes! He's ready to play with and love kids ON THEIR OWN TURF for the sake of doing the Lord's work. Praise the Lord!Lastly, Stephanie and I were excited to have the opportunity to share about Sowing Hope and ask for volunteers at yesterday's High School Ministries mission trip meeting. Before we spoke, I had prayed that the Lord would prod students to choose to serve. I am amazed at how the Lord did more than I could ask or think! The Lord provided abundantly as 17 students approached us to express their interest in serving this summer. Students, thanks for being on mission not only when you're away on a missions trip but even in your own sphere of influence back home. Thanks for wanting to boldly shine for Jesus wherever you are. Stephanie and I are excited to serve with you this summer!
Many more stories could be shared of how God has saw fit to faithfully encourage me in ministry by providing workers for His service and harvest field.
Instead of sharing more encounters, though, a couple questions seem to be fitting here:
1. How are you going out into the world to make disciples of Jesus Christ?
2. Will you participate in the Lord's work of bringing people to Himself and growing them in His Son wherever you are this summer?
3. Is God prodding you to serve under-privileged kids and even adults this summer in the heart of Wooster?
If so, contact us at sowinghope@woostergrace.org to inform us of how the Lord is leading you to impact the lives of people who live in the heart of our city.
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