We are actively reaching out to those in need, whatever the need.
Amy Bowman |
June 7, 2019
Amy Bowman serves in Vineyard Kids as the Team Lead for kindergarten and first grade. She also serves at the Healing Center as the Team Lead for the Self Sufficiency Team. We asked Amy a few questions about why she serves.
What do you like best about serving in this way?
In Vineyard Kids I get the opportunity to build relationships with the volunteers and serve kids without being in a classroom. I have a unique perspective, watching God show up in their lives and watching them show God’s love to the kids.
I’m not a person comfortable leading large groups or small groups. I like to build relationships with those I serve with and in these roles. I have that ability to pray with and walk through challenges and victories along side them.
I love to serve. My goal in life is to get to heaven and Jesus tell me, “Good Job!” That’s what I love because even in the hard days of serving I know that God is using my gifts and I’m thankful to be able to serve where I do.
How has serving others impacted your life?
There is nothing better than serving, in my opinion. If I have the opportunity to show people that God loves them by serving why wouldn’t I? I love to walk into the church or Healing Center and see the people and know that we are not standing idly by. We are actively reaching out to those in need, whatever the need, and ultimately saying, "You are valued and loved because God loves you no matter what." That's what we do by serving.
We had a little girl who was put in foster care and came into Vineyard Kids with her new foster family. They told me she was incredibly nervous and if needed, put her number up on the board and they'd come back to get her. She stayed the whole service and was happy. I spoke with her foster mom and she told me the little girl had come from a horrible situation.
That spoke volumes to me. A child who basically has been taught not to trust, walked into an unknown place with unknown people and felt at peace. It’s a testimony to the environment we, in Vineyard Kids, are able to create. For one hour we were the safe place because God is there.
That’s what serving can do. It changes my selfish focus to see others because I never know who needs the safe place, who needs to know God loves them and cares about them. If I’m not serving, then I’m wasting the opportunity God has given me to be a light for Him.
Do you have a story about how you got started in this serving role?
I started serving in Vineyard Kids because I’m married to the elementary pastor. Ha! I honestly don’t think I had an option, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I fell in love with the Healing Center when they showed it to us. I cried in the warehouse because I’ve been in social work and ministries for years and I knew the impact that the Healing Center has with just a quick glance in the warehouse, and wanted to be a part of whatever they were doing in whatever way I could. I kind of applied for the Self Sufficiency Program Manager position.
Dina got the job obviously, but I knew I still wanted to be a part of the program. I ignored the prompting to email Dina for probably a month or two, and finally I emailed her a ridiculously long email explaining my work history and what I feel like was probably me begging her to let me be a part. Thankfully she responded and here I am. I’m so incredibly thankful for Dina's leadership. She is, without a doubt, the woman for the job and I’ve learned so much from her.
Interested in Serving?
If you'd like to learn more about serving in Vineyard Kids, find out more here. Would you like to serve at the Healing Center, then check this out.