The Resource Net is our church's network of volunteers.
I am one of five coordinators that match the volunteers with needs
that have been made known to the church. These needs are many, ranging
from preparing and delivering meals to transporting furniture and much
more. Each week, Linda Perry, Vineyard Boise’s Benevolence Director,
sends the needs that come into the church to the coordinator that is
on call. We then match up the needs with volunteers and contact is
made via phone.
Looking back at the past two and half years since this
ministry started, we have seen numerous expressions of the love of
Christ manifested through His people as they help. Thus we have
changed the name from “Talent Tithe” to “The Resource Net”.
There have been countless of meals prepared and
delivered over the course of the past year for very different reasons.
One such story is about a young lady named Sherry who was soon to
deliver her forth child. Sherry needed some meals after the birth. Her
husband was incarcerated during this time. After several attempts to
contact her, Marie, one of the coordinators, finally connected with
her. Sherry has already had her baby and came home six hours after
delivery. Several days worth of meals were easily lined up for her.
When Marie called back to let her know, Sherry told Marie that she had
committed to working in the nursery that Sunday in church and insisted
that she wanted to do so but needed a ride. A ride was found for her.
Marie shared with me how blessed she was to witness Sherry's heart to
serve and give back. She puts it this way," I've learned that as we
serve, it's God that blesses us right back.
This reminds me of the verse in Ephesians that says,
“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good
works which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph 2:10)
Another coordinator, Millie, was called with a need to
find help for someone moving on that same day. Since this ministry is
not an emergency service, arrangements could not be made on such short
notice. Therefore Millie prayed with this lady asking God to provide.
A short time later, the lady calls back letting us know that she was
able to find some people to help and how grateful she was for the
prayer. What a great reminder of who is actually in charge and
sometimes what is really needed is ministry through prayer. We don't
know what God is doing in the lives of others who have a need met or
have been prayed for, but sometimes we get a glimpse!
In this busy life style we find ourselves living in,
sometimes it's hard to find time to do "good works". The Resource Net
ministry allows us to give of our abilities and time when it fits into
our schedules. By filling out a card, a commitment is made to meet a
need when you are called if you are available and it matches the
service that you have offered. It had been awesome to witness people
thanking us for calling and giving them the opportunity to serve.
John 13:34-35 "A new command I give
you, love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one
another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you
love one another.
1John 3:18 says, Dear Children, let
us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."
This ministry is an action ministry displaying itself in love.
