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Return to the Herald Online 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

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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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