Serving with Kids

Did you know there is something more important than getting your kids to simply go to church on Sunday mornings? By helping them find opportunities to serve others, you’ll encourage them to be the church instead of just going to church.

It is too easy for us to find a false sense of security in the notion that our children are growing because they attend something…Don’t underestimate what serving inside the church, in your community, and even globally can do to the heart of your son or daughter. We even know some parents and leaders who strive to make sure their teenagers are involved in at least one overseas mission effort before they graduate. They understand how the experience of personal ministry can affect someone’s sense of purpose. It is not enough to tell children they are significant. Most of our children will never really believe they are significant until we give them something significant to do.

 

• Reggie Joiner and Carey Nieuwhof, “Parenting Beyond Your Capacity”, pg 73-75.

 

 

Simple things you can do on your own:

- Take a stroll around the neighborhood with your children. You can’t meet the needs of your neighbors if you don’t know your neighbors. And nothing has the ability to start a conversation with a complete stranger the way children do. Children have a way of disarming people’s natural suspicions. I (Chase) have done this a few times and every time I’ve done it with the intention of meeting others, I have.

- You can be the person in your neighborhood that has all the kids around come and play in your backyard one day. Most of the parents around you are waiting for someone to do just this. It will create a since of community in your neighborhood and give you the incredible opportunity to hear the needs of those that live around you.

- The seasons are changing. Odds are there are a few families in your area that would love some help raking leaves, winterizing their homes, etc. The holidays are also coming. There’s nothing easier than to invite someone who’s recently moved to town, a widow, or a family miles away from their extended family to celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas with you.

- There are many Home Groups that love taking their kids to local nursing homes. The kids in Andy Reeder’s Group have loved hand making Christmas cards for all the elderly and then passing them out before Christmas.

Besides these, many of Hope’s Partner Ministries welcome kids:

Bumper crop- if you have a truck and a free weekend, this is a great opportunity.

• Once the food has been collected and loaded up, the kids can simply come along for the ride and be there as you hand off needed food and supplies to families in need.
  • The children get to see how blessed they are, and can begin to develop a heart for the down and out.
  • It’s easy and it’s simply
  • Contact Richard Hopkins  atthehop@nc.rr.com

Haven House- Haven House Services is a non-profit agency that helps struggling young people and their families with a wide range of interrelated programs to address challenges such as homelessness, gang activity, juvenile delinquency, substance abuse and much more. There are many volunteer opportunities available:

• Bring lunch or baked goods on Saturdays for 30 youth doing Community Service
• Adopt a holiday or create a special night for youth
• Decorate and furnish bedrooms for youth in crisis shelter
• Assist with Landscaping/Gardening needs
• Contact Eddi Boucher-   eddi_boucher@yahoo.com

 

Newbern House

• On the second and third Saturday’s of each month, volunteers from Hope and the community serve lunch at the Newbern House for its residents as well as children from low income housing in the area and people who live on the streets. In all, we feed around 160 people. We need 10-12 volunteers for each meal. We do require that each person who volunteers bring at least one main dish to feed 20.
• Contact Mandy Withrow-  apwithrow@gmail.com

 

Rex Rehab and Nursing Care Center

-The Rex Rehab and Nursing Care Center of Raleigh is located on the campus of Rex Hospital.  It offers individualized treatment and care to their residents who are in the twilight years of life.

• The Hope Community Church Homeschool group visits the residents of the Nursing Care Facility on the first Friday of every month at 10:30am. This is a wonderful outreach for families with children of all ages, as well as adults/couples of all ages.

 

• Below are just a few of the many ways we can show God’s love to the elderly:
• Read to and with them
• Engage them in conversation
• Play games
• Sing-a-longs
• Crafts
• Plant flowers/garden
• Holiday Parties
• Christmas caroling
• Private in-room visits to patients who are bed ridden
• Talk, read or pray with them
• “Stand in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God.  I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:31-33

• Contact Erin Monasterio erin21400@aol.com

 

Ship of Zion

• -Ship of Zion proclaims the love of Christ to inner city residents by providing them with food, clothing and care and ministering to their spiritual needs without distinction for denomination, race or place in life. Ship of Zion serves a diverse population ranging from the economically disadvantaged and physically disabled to drug addicts, alcoholics, prostitutes and gang members.
• On the second Saturday of each month, Hope sends volunteers to partner with Ship of Zion’s “Community Day” outreach. Volunteers have the opportunity to pray with visitors from the community, serve them lunch, distribute groceries and help with medical screening.
• -Contact Aleece Spalding   ahspalding@earthlink.net

Sir Walter Apartments

• This apartment complex for low income elderly citizens is housed in the former Hotel Sir Walter on Fayetteville St. in downtown Raleigh. Over 140 residents live in this historic building which is managed by a small staff of just five people. Because of this, the staff are very dependent upon volunteers to help them with day-to-day operations as well as participation with the residents in various activities and meals.
• (Best for elementary to older kids)
• You can also help in supervising Bingo Night or Birthday Parties.
• Contact Kristen Reiss      kristenreiss@yahoo.com