From Joni’s Heart—Thank You Volunteers!

By |Published On: October 10, 2018|Categories: News|

“We have been sent to speak for Christ. It is as if God is calling to you through us. We speak for Christ when we beg you to be at peace with God!” – 2 Corinthians 5:20 

Ken and I always love hobnobbing with volunteers at our Family Retreats (we call them short-term missionaries, or STMs). They sacrifice a lot to come and serve at Retreat as they take time away from their families, work or school. Excited and energized, they arrive with hearts pumped, sleeves rolled up, and ready to show Jesus’ love to weary moms, dads, disabled kids and the rest. 

I watch with pride as a middle-aged volunteer spends the afternoon playing hopscotch with a lonely kid who has autism. Or a college-aged volunteer wipes drool off the smile of a teen with cerebral palsy. Or an elderly volunteer rocks a baby with Down syndrome all day. These things show me that our volunteers are doing much more than giving the Gospel; they are being the Gospel. They are the Good News. When our volunteers represent the tender hands and willing heart of Jesus Christ, they become the Gospel to needy people. 

True Christian service should always cost us something. It should always be sacrificial – even if we only sacrifice our self-centeredness. And please know, I realize that your prayers and financial support cost you something. But with every prayer and dollar you give, you are representing the hands and heart of Christ to people with disabilities and their families! You are becoming the Gospel to them… and for that, I’m so proud of Jesus in you! 

Learn more about becoming a volunteer with Joni and Friends and get involved today!

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