Volunteers

I’m a people-watcher.  You know, one of those who doesn’t mind a wait in a crowded airport because there is a never-ending procession of interesting people and stories to be played out.  I’ve learned a lot about our SFBC Volunteers recently, just by watching.  They go above and beyond, which is an ideal not always achieved for paid staff let alone those whose every minute is precious and freely given, with no expectation of human recompense.

In the thought-provoking quiet of the First Sunday, as I watch our Deacons serve communion, my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude for what our Lord did for us.  And in those moments of reflection I am humbly aware of the godly men that the Lord has called to shepherd us.  Volunteers, each one.  Men with families, jobs, heartaches, joys, struggles and victories; men with busy schedules and active families.  Faithful men, serving with loving diligence, not only on Sunday morning but often late on weeknights in obligation to the various committees and other ministries in which they serve.

Children’s Ministries is another area where people watching reveals sweet insights.  During a recent emergency procedures drill, I heard not one complaint from Volunteers shuffling rambunctious grade-schoolers, reticent toddlers, gawking preschoolers, or crying babies.  Each was tending their flock, even in the heavy drizzle of a cool Oregon morning.  Another day I saw an Awana secretary play in a corner with a child who just couldn’t maintain in a group, and another Awana volunteer speak so tenderly to a child who was out of control.  I watch the love of Christ manifest itself on a daily basis.

How many of us are aware on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings how carefully our Security Team watches out for us?  From kindly rousting homeless campers out of flower beds to attentively watching the crowds for potential issues, they roam the campus, week after week.

My people-watching catches the love on the face or in the tender touch and words of someone working with a child.  A volunteer “Nurse on Duty” recently blessed me beyond measure by solicitously tending one of our widows who felt very shaky and frightened.  And this doesn’t begin to mention those who work with youth or visit shut-ins.  There might be a few who consider volunteering a drudgery to be avoided when possible or endured when not.  But the joy of serving is so evident in most of those I encounter, and we are blessed beyond measure; surely the blessing of eternal reward cannot even be weighed!  Thank you, SFBC Volunteers!

Sherri Sperling
Children's Ministries Director

Coming Full Circle

How can so many things be so right and so wrong, all at the same time?  I only knew I was out of control, losing it.  Nineteen years old, married over a year, and my marriage and life were in a shambles.  Unstoppable tears fell despite my iron will as emotions overwhelmed the resolve to bear up.  Driving home from work that sunny spring evening, I knew I could no longer move forward while afflicted with the brokenness of my past. I had never paid much attention to the big church on the corner where I turned, but this day desperation drove me to stop and walk through the cavernous entry.  It didn’t matter … nothing mattered except that it felt like I was dying and needed hope to live. The Pastor kindly welcomed me, sharing the hope of salvation.  I had attended church as a child and been baptized at 12 but didn’t understand what it meant to make Jesus Lord of my life.  He explained it and suddenly I knew!  I was free, it was real!  It didn’t matter that there were no stars exploding or church bells ringing!  My salvation was real and Jesus gave me life and a purpose for life! Knowing I would need mentoring Pastor made arrangements for us to meet with another young couple from church.  We had a delightful connection for a few weeks, yet never attended church.   Shortly thereafter we moved out of town.  In a long and round- about way we ended up in a nearby town and were actively involved in church, and grew in our relationship with the Lord.  But it was on a particular spring evening, in a large church on a busy street corner, that my true life began. Nearly 40 years later, life came full circle.  I was hired as Director of Children’s Ministries at that same church on that same busy street corner in Salem.  What a delightful reunion when I saw the precious couple who had aspired to mentor us those many years ago!  Jerry and Doris VanDeKoppel’s hair has a bit more gray than it did in the spring of 1972, and Pastor Whitwell has gone home to be with the Jesus he introduced me to.  The call of Jesus to make disciples, and the mission and vision of Salem First Baptist has gone unchanged.  God put us here for a reason … as a beacon in a dark world.  Thank you, SFBC, for being a beacon now, and so many years ago, to damaged and dark souls. Sherri Sperling, Children's Ministries Director   Those who read lead.  That thought was burned into my brain years ago by an effective leader.  It is true the great leaders are learners.  Therefore, go check out the library.  Our team of librarians work weekly to have a quality resource tool so that you can grow.  Check it out this weekend.