Serving My Community

I was raised in a church. My father started pastoring our church home the year I was born. Throughout my life, I've had a community beyond my immediate family that significantly influenced me. I recall stepping up to lead projects and assume roles simply because there was a need and few volunteers in the church. As a child, I taught Sunday School to other children. As a teenager, I led the dance ministry, learned about coins in school, and organized fundraising bake sales at church. This experience shaped my understanding of kingdom work.

Nowadays, my approach to serving focuses less on addressing every gap (and trust me, there are still plenty) and more on aligning with God's will. By managing the gifts I have been given, I can accomplish the good deeds the Lord has set before me, rather than constantly seeking out the next ministry in need and risking burnout. Our Heavenly Father was deliberate in the gifts and talents He bestowed upon us. He did not intend for us to remain stagnant, nor to take on more than we can handle. By responding to the call on my life, I am filled with passion and joy to carry out His work.

Having an attitude of Thanksgiving and gratitude is essential when it comes to serving. Many might not realize it, but even Pastors and Prophets, despite their spiritual power, are simply servants. Their role is to serve the Kingdom of God and His people. Every gift and talent given to us is not only for our benefit. We have a responsibility to use them for the benefit of the Kingdom. 1 Peter 4:10 says "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms". Being thankful to God for how uniquely He has made you compared to His other children, and recognizing how special you are to Him, will prevent you from comparing yourself to others. It will help you focus on what truly matters: making an impact in the Kingdom of God.

In the coming weeks, I will be preparing to serve my community for the first time. Although I have been serving my church for as long as I can remember, when I shared the vision the Lord gave me with my dad, who is the Pastor of our church, he dismissed it. He actually called it "impossible," which made me realize it was time to push forward spiritually. For nothing is impossible for my God. I began praying about the vision and received confirmation. I will conduct a Vacation Bible School in my community for one week this summer, from August 11th-15th, 2025.

I could have used the same excuse my pastor did. We currently don't have our own church, so to use it outside our regularly scheduled days and times, we need to coordinate with the owners. However, the Lord soon began to inspire my planning, showing me that my angels are ready for my next move. The Spirit of God has provided me with all the wisdom I need to know the direction I should take, and here we are. Prepare for God to do something incredible through you to advance His kingdom. The passions and gifts He has given you will enable you to serve your church and community with joy and gratitude!