Last week at the Volunteer Appreciation Brunch Cheryl Freed, Mission Task Force Coordinator at Pilgrim Saint Paul Lakewood, shared her powerful experiences as a volunteer with BHITC. The following is a simplified version of Cheryl’s inspiring testimony.
BHITC opened my eyes to all that there was in the city and world to do to fulfill God’s great Commandment and Great Commission. I want to give thanks to BHITC. Because of my involvement with blanket drives, Youth Serve and CitySERVE for the past 7-8 years, I truly understand what it looks like and feels like to be active Christians doing PURPOSEFUL activities.
A few things I have learned and experienced:
- How to grow the Kingdom, not just our church.
- That every person has a right to be loved and how to do give that love without being scared.
- That a church is not a building. Losing my home church was difficult, but I know that saving people and being good neighbors is more important that what time church services are and what hymnals we are going to use.
- That it is only by God’s Grace that we are saved and that at any moment we could be the ones who need a blanket or a free lunch.
- Just do it! Get out and do something. It does not have to be perfect. If it is God pleasing it will be perfect.
- How to praise God in an emotionally meaningful way.
BHITC has personally touched me in so many ways, and I am grateful to share that we are taking the BHITC spirit into the streets of Lakewood at Pilgrim Saint Paul! We have been successful with two Bringing Hope to the Homeless projects. Over 25 members participated in CitySERVE this year. And we have been involved with Kid’s Church for three years, which we got connected to through BHITC.
Not only is it important to get our church involved in projects in the city, but there is also much work to be done right in Lakewood. Thanks to all I’ve learned with BHITC, I am giving myself an honorary diploma! I now have the tools, the support and life experiences needed to go out and JUST DO IT!
