From a high school student volunteer.

"I've been volunteering with CarePortal this year, and I have a lot to say.

CarePortal is a network of churches and community parters connected and committed to serving local families. Often these families are in crisis and facing the possibility of losing their children to the foster care system. Churches are given the opportunity to give things like beds, clothes, and groceries to help stabilize families just in time. Since I started volunteering with CarePortal, I’ve been visiting homes to build tables or drop off sheets or play with the kids while the adults chat and connect. One of the first times I ever volunteered we took a crib to the apartment of an expectant mother, only a few years older than me. This young mom is now a personal friend. I am learning that service can’t just be delivering goods and waving good-bye, or just dropping off a donation. It can’t be hands-off. To make a real impact in the community means building standing relationships and being a person that others can count on. There's really more to community service than just meeting a need... it's meeting a person, and caring for that person as a whole.

James 2:16 says:

"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you tells him,“Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs,what good is that? So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead.…"

I've been thinking a lot about that verse. I have to wonder, if faith without works is dead, surely no life can come from works without faith either. The two must go hand in hand. Healthy, God centered, worship driven service has to meet the physical need and give attention to the spiritual need as well. I'm enjoying the opportunity to serve the whole person, inside and out through CarePortal."

If you have a youth group or teen looking for ways to engage in community service, we'd love to connect you with opportunities to serve. We could always use the help, and as you can see... this type of service helps us grow the next generation of strong, healthy, others-focused believers!