Melissa Smith shares about her Life Group’s volunteering experience with YoungLives. They have been such a gift to the Club nights by their consistency, flexibility, availability, willingness, kindness, smiles, and BIG hearts.

 “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.” ~ 1 Peter 4:10-11

The apostle Peter is giving an exhortation to use the gifts graciously given to us by God to bless others. Of particular emphasis is the instruction to serve others. I was recently reading this scripture and it so appropriately tied in with what I wanted to share about my experience serving at the North OC YoungLives gathering with my Life Group. Our Life Group began meeting in June 2017 and after a few months of meeting, we all shared a passion and desire to begin ministering to others outside of our group. In particular, there was a desire to serve in a volunteer capacity, so we set out discerning which ministry we should partner with. It was clear in the discussions that we were unified in a desire to serve, love on, and care for the YoungLives community. In October 2017, we began volunteering together every other month.

This past Thursday, I had the privilege of volunteering at the North OC YoungLives monthly gathering along with eight other individuals from our Life Group. This was our 3rd time as a group serving the teens and their little ones, and we wanted to share a bit about our experience.

 

It has been tremendous seeing the consistency thus far in our group members’ attendance and participation with serving. We have a group of 12 adults and 10 children, and we have averaged eight volunteers serving each time! We have been received so wonderfully by the YoungLives community and staff. It has been a joy to share a meal with the community and to serve in the different volunteer roles provided.

 

This particular Thursday, two from our group served by setting up and organizing the donations table in order for the teen parents to easily peruse and choose items, one took photos of the evening and also served in childcare, two people helped with clean-up, and six of us served in childcare. Speaking on behalf of our group, I can say that it was such a blessing for us to love on the teen parents, their children, and the YoungLives staff. Our group is looking forward to our continued partnership!