My husband and I have three children who are in their late teens. When they were younger, their favorite question was, “Why?” It could be a little frustrating after the 99th time, but we loved their inquisitiveness and their hunger to learn. At Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH), we want the children, adults, and families in care to ask “why” when volunteers show up at one of our three dozen locations to serve.
Why are these people here? Why are they working so hard and not getting paid? Why do they care about BCH? Why do they care about me? Why does Jesus love me?
Through the selfless acts of service and with each ‘why,’ the love of Christ is revealed.
In 2025, we are excited to launch two volunteer initiatives as we seek to engage our communities, churches, and ministry friends to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Prayer is our lifeline to our Heavenly Father. We are instructed in Philippians 4:6 to “not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” We cannot do the ministry of sharing hope and changing lives without your prayers.
The first initiative, “Prayer Partners,” is coming soon. This will be a more formal way you can commit to serving as an intentional prayer partner. Many of you pray for us now, and your prayer support for the children, adults, and families served by BCH, as well as current and future BCH staff, is making a difference.
Second, we are seeking Lead Volunteers to serve as an extension of staff during Friends of Children events this Spring and Fall. The “lead volunteers” will help ensure that the one-day mission blitz on each campus is run efficiently and effectively. If your church is interested in learning more about being lead volunteers, please reach out to me. We hope Friends of Children 2025 will be the best yet.
Volunteers are essential to our ministry. The work completed by volunteers does so much more than just save money and complete a task. Here are five reasons why you should go on mission with BCH this year:
Serving as a volunteer reflects Jesus who “did not come to be served, but to serve.” It is the unconditional love of God on display.
Whether painting, sorting donations, building ramps, cleaning windows, or hosting a cook-out, volunteering is what it looks like to “visit with orphans and widows in their distress.” It’s about doing life alongside those who have experienced unimaginable hardships while sharing the love of Jesus.
With locations in more than three dozen communities in NC and SC and ministry partnerships in Guatemala, the Philippines, and South Africa, serving with BCH is one way you can be a “witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.”
There is joy in working together as the body of Christ to serve others. While you bless those in care, you will be blessed—“It is more blessed to give than receive.”
Your gifts and talents are needed. In 1 Peter 4:10, it reads, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” God has uniquely equipped you. Ask the Lord how He’s calling you to be used by Him—maybe in one of our new volunteer initiatives.
Find your spot to serve with BCH and go on mission together sharing the hope of Jesus Christ.
Written by Kristyn Butts, BCH Director of Volunteer Engagement