All missions involve love. Reaching out to our neighbors, wherever they are, demands something of us. Some Impact Ministries opportunities, however, have an extra dose of compassion thrown on top. These initiatives include things close to home like A.C.T.S. Saturday, our sign language ministry, serving with Igniters and Special Friends, greeting and thanking returning soldiers from combat, and the Gift of Love Trees at Christmastime. It can also mean travelling across the world to bring the light of love into the lives of children at the Mstyora Orphanage in Russia.
Our love initiatives, events and trips are about expanding the heart. They are geared to help grow relationships between team members and those we serve. What is more, they are designed to help connect you with the heart of God.
• Igniters – Come and love some of our Igniters (adult class with special needs) who gather on Sunday mornings for a bible study, community service projects and a time of fellowship. You could also volunteer your time by bringing some of our Igniters to SOFA.
• Special Friends – Experience the love of our Special Friends (children from birth to 18 years of age who are affected by a special need) and help teach God’s word by being a one-on-one aide, a Special Friend Teacher, or a peer partner at Souled Out or Fusion and Winter Camp each spring.
• Russia Trip – Invest in the lives of children at the Mstyora Orphanage and young men and women at the Vladimir Ministry Center. Partner with Children’s HopeChest to teach crafts, games and show God’s love to children at the orphanage and share life skills with students at the ministry center.
• Sign Language Ministry – Introduce the deaf and their families to God and provide access for them to grow in Him. Provides interpreting for Fusion, MOPS, special events, pre-marital counseling, pastoral counseling, VBS, mission trips, retreats/camps, Bible studies, as well as Saturday and Sunday services,
• A.C.T.S. - The Deployed Families Team provides a variety of services for the families of deployed soldiers. We need people to help prepare homemade bakery goodies for the families that are attending memorial services for fallen soldiers. We also need help greeting and thanking soldiers as they return from combat assignments.
• A.C.T.S. - Our A.C.T.S. Saturday Team plans special serving opportunities the Second Saturday of most months of the year and has also created A.C.T.S. NOW which responds to immediate needs from our community partners. This usually involves a 2-3 hour project and is a great first step in your journey into helping others.
• A.C.T.S. - Special Events in the local community are planned during the year that include Thanksgiving Baskets, Gift of Love Trees and the Kettle Campaign for the Salvation Army.
