"We Want to Serve You and Give You a Hand"_The taste of the joy of service found in behind the scenes volunteer service
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September 28, 2014 |
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Not only adults but also young adults and children learn to be considerate of others and serve others in doing volunteer works. All of them say that God gives them great joy and peace.
In Manmin Central Church are many people who serve the members of Christ's body like a candle that consumes itself to light the way for others: they are volunteers in church.
The church has two volunteer groups: the Manmin Volunteers' Group (Guidance Pastor, Daehee Cho; Financial Supporter, Elder Jongsul Kim; Leader, Deacon Seokwan Kong) and the Levite Volunteers' Group (Guidance Pastor, Sooyeol Cho; Leader, Elder Myeongil Hong). Each mission has its volunteers' team and there is a group to provide for the members' security.
On Sundays, they clean the sanctuaries and restrooms, cook noodles for lunch, wash the dishes, show the way to cars for parking, help the members in wheelchairs to get to the sanctuary, stock weekly bulletins in sanctuaries, and check air conditioners and screens during services. They keep their eye on the members' needs and serve them behind the scenes.
They started to do the volunteer work to repay the grace of God, the Lord, and the shepherd, through whom they have further received great blessings in return.
Deacon Jungkwan Ju of Manmin Volunteers' Group said, "I was blessed to read Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee's book Tasting Eternal Life before Death and came to the church. I began voluntarily working for the church to pay back God's grace for leading me here. No matter whether it was rainy, snowy, cold, or hot, I've worked with a grateful heart that there was something I could do for the church and now more than ten years have passed. In volunteering I was healed of hyperthyroidism and became healthy. I am always joyful for God always gives me great grace."
Senior Deaconess Heekyung Kim stated, "Doing the volunteer work, I recall the shepherd's heart for souls. I want every single action and word of our volunteers to deliver blessing to the church members. I have been doing it for 15 years without missing a week by God's grace. Our members have grown up in spirit and received recognition in the positions where they are. I am happy."
It is also worth noting that many Manmin's young adults are taking part in volunteer works. This trend is quite opposite to that of the world given that the young people in the world tend to avoid laborious and hard work. In working for the church, many of them receive the Spirit's fullness and blessings.
Brother Hyungjin Park of Young Adults' Mission said, "I was previously unwilling to join in any volunteer work. After I felt God's love however, I came to put great value in it. In doing it I became filled with the Spirit and laid a good foundation in faith. I have met many brothers in faith and received blessings related to my future job. Now we are trying to become the shepherd's fruit through spiritual faithfulness."
Children as well as young adults are experiencing grace and joy in serving others. The Children volunteers' team is conducting the trash pickup day, ushering in Children's Sunday School events, cleaning the sanctuaries after services.
Sister Hyewon Kim said, "I joined this volunteer group because I wanted to clean God's temple and glorify Him. I once found cleaning hard so I did it half-heartedly. I examined myself and thought I shouldn't neglect even a very little thing. I started over in diligent volunteering and felt joy again. I realized God loves me so much and takes delight in my work for Him."
Jesus showed us a great example of service and said, "Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted" (Matthew 23:12). Following in His example, Manmin members are humbling themselves in service to others to grow as true Christians.
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