How many Hope Fellowship folks own a green shirt because they have volunteered with World Renew’s Disaster Response Services? I put this question to Marie, the regional DRS rep, and Heidi, our Service and Outreach Zone Co-ordinator, and was wowed by the answer.
Here’s how Hope Fellowship’s DRS involvement began.
Towards the end of our ministry at our previous church in St. Catharines, I had some sabbatical time coming to me. I didn’t feel like studying. I wanted a hands-on helping experience like the three couples at Jubilee Fellowship who often volunteered for DRS, returning with great stories about the difference that they were making in people’s lives by rebuilding homes ruined by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and wildfires. Thankfully, Jubilee Fellowship’s leadership approved the plan and that summer we spent three hot weeks in Grifton, North Carolina, building bungalows on donated land nicknamed “The Field of Dreams.” Along with about sixteen others, including many retired folks and two Redeemer College students, we hammered, put up drywall, painted and felt the deep satisfaction that comes from working up a sweat to help somebody in need.
After moving to Courtice, I met Bill, a young retiree. I asked him what he hoped to do in his retirement. He shared a few thoughts. Then I said, “Have I got a great idea for you!” I enthusiastically shared our DRS story and he was inspired to contact DRS and find out more. We decided to invite people to an information evening and a number of people came out. Soon, Bill and his wife Helen went on their first assignment and on their return Bill really talked up DRS. The rest is history.
Our former church generously allowed Marja and me to go on a DRS assignment, knowing that we might accept a call to a new church. Our current church became the beneficiaries of our inspiring sabbatical. Ten years later, it is incredibly gratifying to see how many people at Hope Fellowship have willingly volunteered their time and talents to help clear debris, assess needs, and rebuild homes wherever disasters strike in Canada or the U.S.
Interested in becoming a Green Shirt? Contact Len and Marie or Bill and Helen through the church office.
Oh yes, the answer: Forty-four!
- Pastor Peter
Here’s how Hope Fellowship’s DRS involvement began.
Towards the end of our ministry at our previous church in St. Catharines, I had some sabbatical time coming to me. I didn’t feel like studying. I wanted a hands-on helping experience like the three couples at Jubilee Fellowship who often volunteered for DRS, returning with great stories about the difference that they were making in people’s lives by rebuilding homes ruined by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and wildfires. Thankfully, Jubilee Fellowship’s leadership approved the plan and that summer we spent three hot weeks in Grifton, North Carolina, building bungalows on donated land nicknamed “The Field of Dreams.” Along with about sixteen others, including many retired folks and two Redeemer College students, we hammered, put up drywall, painted and felt the deep satisfaction that comes from working up a sweat to help somebody in need.
After moving to Courtice, I met Bill, a young retiree. I asked him what he hoped to do in his retirement. He shared a few thoughts. Then I said, “Have I got a great idea for you!” I enthusiastically shared our DRS story and he was inspired to contact DRS and find out more. We decided to invite people to an information evening and a number of people came out. Soon, Bill and his wife Helen went on their first assignment and on their return Bill really talked up DRS. The rest is history.
Our former church generously allowed Marja and me to go on a DRS assignment, knowing that we might accept a call to a new church. Our current church became the beneficiaries of our inspiring sabbatical. Ten years later, it is incredibly gratifying to see how many people at Hope Fellowship have willingly volunteered their time and talents to help clear debris, assess needs, and rebuild homes wherever disasters strike in Canada or the U.S.
Interested in becoming a Green Shirt? Contact Len and Marie or Bill and Helen through the church office.
Oh yes, the answer: Forty-four!
- Pastor Peter
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