This is Why We’re Here

all photos by David Harris

Connection. Impact. Hope. Transformation.

Words we talk about virtually every week at the Elkhart Campus. These are the reasons GCC launched a new campus last fall. These are the reasons why volunteer leaders and teams work so diligently to make our weekend service happen.

Last Saturday morning a group of 15 people from the Elkhart Campus set out for Washington Gardens, a low income housing community southwest of the downtown. Kurt Reiners leads the local missions efforts for GCC-Elkhart. Here’s what he had to say:

What a day! The Elkhart campus just concluded our first Son City Kids 2nd Saturday at Washington Gardens. We had no idea what to expect. Our leader, Chuck Atwell, did a fantastic job out the gates with little or no idea of what we may be getting into. All of the leaders there were awesome and brought the love of Christ with them. We had twenty kids show up (we went door to door and had some parents drop off their kids as well). A 14 year old girl was told by her dad to go because her younger siblings were coming. She didn’t want to come. We asked her to help with check-in and where other kids in the neighborhood lived. She embraced that idea and was a huge asset to us. She walked the streets with us to help find kids! She also spent some Quality time with Vicki Young discussing life, school, and much more. All of the kids were engaged, attentive, had a blast, and felt loved.

They can’t wait for next month. One asked if we would come back tomorrow! We started with group games, followed by Valentines crafts that were extraordinary (thanks to Kristen Martin), followed by decorating Valentines cookies, and finishing with a snack of donuts and juice. Most if not all of the kids said they will be there next month, with friends! Other parents expressed interest for next month also. Next month we are adding the element of a Bible story lesson. We didn’t do that this first time as we just wanted to get to know the kids and them get comfortable with us. It worked! All told, we had 15 GCC volunteers there. Next month, oh yeah, we’ll need more! I just wanted to share this with you all. Thank you all for helping us get started by giving advice, support, and mostly prayer.

No pay. No praise. Just praying to connect, make an impact, offer hope, and see lives transformed. My favorite line: “all of the kids were engaged…and felt loved.”

We’re here. Right now. In this generation. In this city. And we’re here to make a difference, to help people know that they are loved by us and by the God who made them.

Way to go team…way to model Jesus to these children, their parents…and us.