Proverbs 13:22 reads, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children…” (NKJV). What if the inheritance you leave behind includes the legacy of service? Time and time again, we are asked if children can volunteer with their parents. In most situations, the answer is YES. Today’s children are our future. Moms, dads, and children from Crossroads Church Benson visited Odum Home in Pembroke. They were given a tour of the Odum Home campus by director Kathy Locklear. As they visited the cottages and met the children, they asked, “How can we help and be a regular ministry partner?”
Ideas included helping paint the gym, trimming trees, hosting a cookout, and playing games were all discussed. What a blessing! Kyle and Melissa Thrower, both on staff at the church, saw that their discipleship group had skills and talents that could be used to meet the physical and spiritual needs of those in care at Odum Home. While the group visited the girls’ cottage, they gathered in the living room and sang "Amazing Grace." What a powerful moment of worship between new friends bonded by their love for Jesus and serving His children. The discipleship group intentionally wants to serve Jesus as a family and to model being the hands and feet of Christ to their children, leaving a legacy of service for their children and their children’s children. We are excited to see how God moves through this new partnership to help continue the mission of sharing hope and changing lives.
Kennedy Home and Greater Vision Kinston were blessed by another group of young men from Camp Lejeune. Chaplain Jesus Dominguez and 30 Marines and Sailors from 2d Battalion 2d Marines tackled jobs including sorting donations, painting a storage room, and cutting back brush along the power lines. Chaplain Dominguez was so moved by the ministry and the work of the Lord that he committed to bringing additional groups of service members in the future to volunteer. These heroes are appreciated for their service to BCH, enabling BCH to continue to provide the highest quality of Christian service to those in our care.
Across the state, some special visitors stopped by The Mill in Thomasville. Piedmont Crossing had visited the BCH website looking for ways to serve. They saw that the playground needed mulch to be spread. Not only did they commit to spreading the mulch, they raised the funds to purchase the mulch. In just an hour, the playground was mulched and made more safe and beautiful. While the employees regularly serve senior adults at their retirement community, BCH is so grateful for the service they provided to the children who visit The Mill Coffee & Community playground.
Like Crossroads Church and Chaplain Dominguez, Piedmont Crossing enthusiastically committed to serving as a BCH community partner. We are beyond grateful for those who are committed to serving vulnerable children and families.
Time and time again, volunteers have found their spot to serve across BCH’s many ministries and locations. Serve NC and Friends of Children are great opportunities for families, churches, and small groups to begin laying the foundation of a legacy of service. Visit www.bchfamily.org/volunteer to Find Your Spot of service during one of these events. We’d love for you to say yes to being a ministry partner with BCH. Let’s go on mission together!
Written by Kristyn Butts, BCH Director of Volunteer Engagement
The discipleship group intentionally wants to serve Jesus as a snow rider family and to model being the hands