IRVING—Desiring to help meet needs within the community by being the hands and feet of Christ, 30 college students from First Baptist Church in Irving recently spent the day “Serving Irving.”
In partnership with local nonprofit organizations including All Things Made New, Many Helping Hands, Crisis Ministries and an inclement weather shelter hosted by Christ Church in Irving, the college students learned valuable lessons about meeting needs in Jesus’ name.
“We wanted to do things that provided tangible needs to those in our community,” said Cory Zimmerman, minister to college students at First Baptist Church in Irving. “We leaned heavily on members from our church who are already actively serving in these different ministries for suggestions on where to serve.
“I believe these service opportunities helped to open the eyes of our college students to see the needs all around us in our community and realize how easy it is to serve in this capacity.”
As the college students assisted with various tasks at the different sites, Zimmerman reminded them to focus on connecting people to the love of Christ through their words and actions.
“Our college ministry has a greater desire to participate in evangelism in our community,” Zimmerman said. “Utilizing events like this will hopefully lay the foundation for other service days in the future.
“I would love for South Irving to see that there is a church who loves them and ultimately wants to point them to the gospel of Jesus Christ. While meeting physical needs is good, we know that their spiritual need is far greater.”
This summer, 10 students from the church’s college ministry will travel to Boston to serve at King’s Hill Church and assist with various outreach projects.
Christ sovereign over ‘fruit’ of volunteers’ labor
Sterling Wilkinson, a member of First Baptist in Irving and a senior at Dallas Baptist University, said she realizes serving locally will help equip their team for future mission opportunities and gospel-centered conversations.
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“I recently had the privilege of serving at the Irving inclement weather shelter with others in our college ministry, and it has given me a better understanding on how to love and care for the homeless,” Wilkinson said.
“There are so many ways we can serve, whether it’s donating clothes, giving our time or being faithful in praying for the homeless in our community. It was very encouraging to get to serve there, learn more about their ministry and hear about how the Lord has provided for them.
“Serving with this ministry has reminded me that we are not to serve man, but serve as unto the Lord. We did a lot of tasks that we will not see the fruit of, and if we were to put our hope in the fruit, we would be discouraged. Instead, we can put our hope in Christ, who is sovereign over the fruit, and trust that he will work all things together for his glory.”
She noted the student most likely will not see immediate fruit from the service they offer and conversations they have in Boston.
“During those moments, I can be reminded of this truth that was so clearly taught serving at the Irving inclement weather shelter,” she said.
Throughout the year, several of First Baptist Irving’s college students regularly serve with SEALS, a ministry of First Baptist Church that provides a team of volunteers on a weekly basis to prepare meals for the homeless at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Dallas.
Through service opportunities, the church’s college students have seen the importance of giving of their resources to reach others.
“It is always humbling to serve, especially within the community around us,” said Avery Beckham, a member of First Baptist in Irving and a junior at DBU.
“It makes me feel burdened and sympathetic, being aware of the needs around us, but also grateful for churches and local bodies that are willing to continually step up and sacrifice time, effort, energy and money to serve those in need.
“As Christ came and laid down his life to serve, so should we. I have been so blessed by a church that loves to go out and be the hands and feet of Jesus.”
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