In 1981, Rick made a difference at the first LCMS Servant Event, which was held at Lutheran Valley Retreat (LVR) in the mountains above Colorado Springs. Quoted in a report from the event, Rick said, "I'll go home knowing that I made a bunch of new friends and that I have a harness from God." (taken from Matthew 11:28-30, the 1981 Servant Event Bible study text.)
Today Rick says his week serving in Colorado-
"...made a lasting impression on my life. It was there I began to put my faith into action using the tools I had learned in Lutheran grade school and confirmation."
The time he spent as a teenager putting faith into action continues for Rick even now, as he serves God through his vocation as a marketing director for a Christian publisher. Rick knows the impact serving can have on youth, and recently served as one of the adult leaders of a Servant Event, taking a group of inner city youth back to LVR.
Greg is a Director of Christian Education and has been the Servant Event Project Coordinator for Fixin' Up the Thumb held in Michigan for the past fifteen years. Greg notes,
"Taking youth to a Servant Event can be powerful. Hosting a project brings God to your front door. The number one reason our congregation sponsors the Fixin' Up the Thumb Servant Event is because of the spiritual growth that occurs in high school students. In my ministry, I'm not here to be a YMCA. I can't compete with MTV. Yet, the youth continue to come because they are getting something they can't get out there. We're providing a place for the faith to be engaged. I haven't found anything that encourages spiritual growth like a Servant Event."
"Serving comes in all sizes and shapes. It makes me stretch who I am and where I am going."- Paulette, a youth servant
"We don't know at first how, when, or where the Lord may have us do His work, but often in doing it, we get a better understanding of our discipleship and the joy that comes with it."
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Paul wrote in his second letter to the Corinthians: "This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God." (2 Corinthians 9:12)
Simply click on the "Give Now" button and make your gift. We appreciate your support of this vital ministry of service.