The Perfect Fit
On Sunday mornings, Penn rides his bike to church, determined to be on time for his volunteer slot at the coffee bar. Upon arriving, he snaps on his name badge and cheerfully assists the other volunteers with setting out coffee, helping direct people to the worship services, and making everyone feel welcome at our church. At 12 years old, he is the youngest volunteer at the coffee bar and loves being a part of the team. He shares, “Everybody is really nice and really welcoming. I think that’s the great thing about volunteering cause they all make me want to be nice too!”
Penn loves to be on the move and meet new people. While he enjoys listening to the sermons on Sunday mornings, it’s been difficult for him to be stationary throughout the whole service. Before joining the volunteer team, he would often step out into the lobby to let some energy out during the sermon. When volunteers at the coffee bar recognized Penn’s enthusiasm and outgoing nature, they suggested that he would be a perfect fit for joining them in serving on Sunday mornings. Now, Penn looks forward to serving, keeping busy and feeling useful while still being able to listen to the sermon on the TVs in the lobby. He shares that his new routine on Sunday mornings “makes me and God have a stronger connection and makes our relationships better.”
Having a relationship with God changes the way we move through the world. Studying His Word, talking with Him in prayer and connecting with other Christ-followers, makes putting our faith into action feel like the most natural thing in the world. Penn shares that he gets excited to serve on Sundays because “It’s a good thing to help people and to do something that honors God and is good for our community. I just really love it!”
God created each of us with different skills, personalities, and giftings, our differences creating a beautiful tapestry of God’s handiwork. As Penn weaves through the crowded lobby on Sunday mornings, refilling cups at the coffee stations or helping other kids reach the stash of mints on the counter, he reminds us that God designed each of us for a purpose.
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