Buckner programs experience God’s hope through families, children and volunteers of all ages
For 10 years, I fostered children. Along the way, I had my birth children, 2, 5 and 7 years old, and had a foster placement with siblings 1 and 4 years old. Needless to say, I had my hands full!
Allowing Others to Serve
Many weeks, I would show up to my Bible study in tears just from getting everyone where they needed to be and from the morning busyness.
During that time, there was a sweet widow and mother of grown children who would offer to make me a meal every single week. I always told her, “I’m OK!” and “I got this but thank you.”
After a few months of her always offering, God spoke to me: “Erin, I put it on her heart to obey me by serving you and you keep denying her ministry.” From that moment on, I have looked at offers, helpers, and volunteers through a very different lens.
I then happily said yes to her meals and each week, the best Lebanese food showed up. We became close like family, and I saw her ministry to God bring a joy in her life that was once dimmed by being an empty nester and widow.
Serving How the Lord Leads
Now, fast forward some years. I am now the volunteer coordinator for the Buckner Houston area, and it’s my joy and honor to work with individuals, groups, and churches to serve alongside us.
While I post volunteer opportunities on our website, I always go back to that prior situation and enjoy having one-on-one conversations with volunteers to see what God has put on their hearts, or what gifts God has given them, and how we can convert that into helping others.
At our Buckner Family Hope Center at Reed Road in Houston, a friend volunteered to lead dance exercise classes. One of the ladies who attended had so much fun and really connected with the volunteers that she not only went to church with them but also became certified as a Zumba instructor! Then this woman came back to Buckner not as a participant but as a volunteer and offered her Zumba classes to others. Look at God! You can read more of her story here.
I also love how Buckner welcomes families to serve together.
Serve Alongside Your People
While some volunteer opportunities might not be a good fit, any time we have a family wanting to serve together, we look for ways to make it happen. The value of serving alongside your children helps them understand the way Jesus served and ignites ministry in their hearts.
We often have families serving together at our back-to-school, Easter, Christmas, spring break, and other camps by offering crafts, games, face paint, story reading, and much more.
In March, the Family Hope Center at Aldine welcomed 70 Second Baptist middle and high school students to serve for two days. These children were on fire for the Lord and painted an entire home for a family, served and played Bingo with senior citizens, hosted a field day for children in our programs, and hosted a picnic for families we serve.
One of my highlights was when a middle schooler came running up to me shouting, “I have good news!” This young lady was doing crafts with a student and was able to share the Gospel with that child. Through offering students the chance to volunteer, a child was exposed to the Gospel, and a student grew in her confidence to share that truth. These are the stories that lead to total life change through volunteerism!
As we celebrate National Volunteer Month in April, I encourage you to not only seek opportunities to serve but also keep an open heart to those around you who God has put something on their hearts. Seek ways to say yes to those who offer help. Our God is alive and doing wonderful works through each of us every day! Let’s not miss an opportunity for his name to be glorified!
Are you interested in serving Buckner families and children in Houston? Find out more at buckner.org/volunteer.
Written by Erin Kelly, volunteer coordinator for Buckner Houston.
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As we reach the end of life,our attitude towards faith in Christ absolutely matters.