Food Outreach is the best way to start - Why Andrew Volunteers with us
The direction of Andrew’s life and how he spends his time changed significantly several years ago.
Pastor Bob at Calvary Chapel Delco preached a sermon which really stood out to Andrew. The theme was on giving back to God. He was talking about how Jesus has done so much for us so how can we glorify Him?
Andrew said “I was touched by a sermon…’Christ sacrificed everything for you, what are you going to do to give back? The church needs you.’ I’d been going to this church for 10 years, saw what I had accomplished…I just burst out in tears. I spent time in prayer with God to set a spark to make a change. That became my New Year's resolution to get more involved in the church.”
After speaking to Pastor Steve Smickley about how to get involved Andrew was connected to myself (John). I was still serving at Cityteam at the time. And then when Greenhouse Project was founded Andrew kept right on serving with us.
Early on when Andrew was helping he had a crazy schedule but that didn’t stop him from serving. He would say “when I’m free I’ll call and see if you need me” and then do whatever we would need at the time.
As time went by, we started a discipleship group. Andrew said, “Pastor John came up to me one day, and said ‘you’re leading next week.’ I am not a public speaker but he put it on my heart to give it a shot. ‘Do it scared’ as Lisa Meradith used to say. After a while of doing that I got comfortable doing that.”
Andrew is sold out for Jesus and a committed member of our team. He is very invested and involved in many aspects of our ministry. He is a man of strong character, an overseer/deacon of our church, helps with the recovery meetings, food outreach, evangelism, community cleanups, and discipleship. He has even led some of these groups and preached for us on Sundays occasionally, and even went to pick up the truck with food for food outreach when our regular driver was ill and couldn't do it.
“Pastor John has just blessed me in so many ways, he keeps pulling me out of my layers and pulling me out of my shell. It’s just such a blessing to get involved,” Andrew said.
If you’re considering volunteering with us Andrew suggests “start small and give it a shot. Grand ideas are great, but start small.” He also thinks that “the food outreach is the best way to start. You see how you are helping people and the relief that their needs are being met both physically and spiritually. That’s when you get it, that’s when you understand.”
Another reason why he likes food outreach is “because you’re one-on-one with the people. And you get to put names to faces after you do it so many times and you can just see how it’s blessing them. Doubles down on happiness, when you can see results it makes it that much more real. If you’ve been thinking about volunteering and getting out and serving God - do it. Once you make that small commitment to serve the Lord, the Holy Spirit is right there to guide you, encourage you and use you.”
Andrew is a chemical operator by trade and enjoys running, reading, and the Phillies.
“The Lord has blessed me in so many ways I’m just happy to give back any way that I can, in whatever capacity he may need,” Andrew said.
We’re very blessed and grateful to have Andrew part of our team here in Chester.