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A Shout-out to Volunteers
Volunteering is a way of life in The Salvation Army across our territory. Our corps (churches), Community Ministries centres, Family Stores and other expressions of faith and mission are well supported by volunteers (see page 8).
The month of June is an opportunity for all of us to pause and take time to thank each person who chooses to volunteer at The Salvation Army. They may be people who offer a one-off to collect for our Red Shield Appeal, or a regular weekly slot at the Family Store, packing food parcels in a Community Ministries or helping to set up for Sunday services in a corps. Each person who volunteers has chosen to support the work we do and sacrificially give their time and skill in service to others.
I was looking at the statistics for volunteering in New Zealand and came across a thoughtprovoking quote by Dave Glynn: ‘Don’t ever question the value of volunteers. Noah’s Ark was built by volunteers, the Titanic was built by professionals.’ This quote is a good reminder that the history of volunteering is as old as time itself. The Christian Church worldwide is largely run by volunteers, and this from its very beginnings.
The future also relies on volunteering, Jesus is calling all of us into a volunteer position. It is into the harvest field. In the Bible, in Matthew 9:36–38, Jesus has been teaching in the towns across his region, it says: ‘When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field”.’ We each have the ‘harassed and helpless’ around us. What better way to volunteer than to participate in bringing hope and help to those who have none.
To each person who volunteers for The Salvation Army: you are participating in bringing hope and help with the work you are doing. Your contribution is of great value and we are thankful that you partner with The Salvation Army to care for people, transform lives and reform society by God’s power … thank you!
