Ideas for More Ways to Serve

(from the May 2003 issue)

Jump to: Ministry Resources | How to Meet People | Christ's method alone

Kindness in progress: Give people a connection card that identifies who you are and what you are doing. Wear a pin or vest that says, “Kindness in Progress.”

Provide Classes:

English language classes
Résumé writing
Making a will
Health
Computers
Basic skills
Crafts

Provide Services:

Repair cars.
Fix up sewing machines for give-away.
Fix up bicycles for give-away or do bicycle “clinics.”
Offer home repair services.
Help individuals with their job searching.
Provide a hotline with medical, crisis intervention or community resources.
Give away bottled water on a hot day in a high-traffic area.

Project Ideas:

Do a gasoline buy-down and provide services to customers during that time. Arrange to pay for a 25¢ per gallon discount with the station manager and wash windshields and check oil during fill-up.
Bag groceries for people at “bag your own” stores.
Do a Scotch tape giveaway at Christmas.
Offer to clean restrooms for gas stations, restaurants, etc.
Use your umbrellas to escort individuals into a local grocery store during rainy weather.
Go door to door and offer free light bulbs to people. Say, “These are Christian light bulbs—they’re free, like God’s love!”

School read-in: Get sponsors who give food items based on the number of pages read.

Friendship bags: Make up bags to give to people who ask for food or money on the street. Include easy-open cans of food, juice, bus passes, change for a local phone call. Include an invitation to your church.

Kris Proctor, Berrien Springs, Michigan, Adventist Community Services director

Ministry Resources

Exciting New Volunteer Ministries Web Site

Last year, more than 56,000 Missionary Volunteers from the North American Division participated in volunteer service through short-term mission trips, community service, community outreach, and international missionary volunteer service. By visiting www.HeSaidGo.net you can discover what new opportunities are available, request a volunteer for your ministry or organization, and apply to become a Missionary Volunteer. Participate in the General Conference world-wide call for one million believers to “Go” in the name of Jesus.

How to Meet People

Be warm, courteous, and friendly.
Focus 100% of your attention on them.
Show genuine interest in who they are. Ask questions about their family, work, history, etc.
Notice things in their home that are important to them—family pictures, books, souvenirs, etc.
Look for areas of sorrow, pain, and needs. Express compassion.
Minister to their needs. Offer to pray as the needs arise. Don’t wait for a “closing” prayer.
Encourage: share your story/hope/faith, read scripture, sing.
Invite them to follow Jesus.
Pray a blessing: intercede on their behalf. Ask God’s blessing upon them, their home, work, community, family, etc.
Ask if there are personal needs.
Ask if there are others in their community or circle of family and friends who have needs (future ministry).

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Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people.

The Savior:

mingled with people as one who desired their good
showed His sympathy for them
ministered to their needs
won their confidence
gave an invitation, “Follow Me.”

From Ellen G. White's Ministry of Healing, p.143.

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