WHO AND WHAT ARE YOU VOLUNTEERING FOR?

Let us begin by putting this into context. What is volunteering?

Volunteering is when someone gives their time without compensation to help others. It is described as devoting time and effort to the betterment of the environment, society, and people other than one’s immediate family. It is done voluntarily and freely, without compulsion or financial gain-related concerns. Three key components characterize volunteering, which include its voluntariness, its non-profit nature, and its impactful nature.

Volunteering takes us outside ourselves. Volunteering is a selfless activity that sometimes takes us beyond our limits. The fact is that we are all volunteering for a cause. While volunteering can be classified as either passive or active, its objective outcome, except for cynics, is generally classified as either good or evil.

Society advances purely through volunteering. Sages are venerated in society because of their indelible marks. They are individuals who went out of the comfort of their lives, strained their finances, and probably hazarded their lives to achieve the common good. It must be pointed out that volunteering for good, or rather, for the common good, is rare. Selfishness, sectarianism, and personal aggrandizement are the banes of volunteering for the good of society in our days.

Volunteering opportunities are open to all. Volunteers can come from any background and at any age. They might be employed, enrolled in school, or retired. Volunteering benefits the community, deserving causes, and those in need, but it may also benefit you as the volunteer. Finding the appropriate match can facilitate socialising, professional advancement, learning new skills, and community involvement.

Moreover, giving to others in the form of volunteering helps safeguard your bodily and emotional well-being. It can help you feel less stressed, fight depression, stay cognitively engaged, and give you a sense of direction. While it is true that the benefits of volunteering increase with the frequency of engagement, volunteering does not have to require a significant time commitment or disruption of daily activities. Even small acts of generosity can benefit those in need while also enhancing your own well-being.

Since the creation of man, when God came down to fellowship with man in Genesis 3:8, God’s kingdom has been extended through volunteering. God asked Noah to volunteer to build the Ark that saved the then world (Genesis 6:14). Noah, although busy with other things of life, volunteered to build the Ark, which was eventually brought to use after 100 years. Moses was called to volunteer to rescue Israel from bondage in Egypt. Joseph was a volunteer dream interpreter and voluntary consultant who preserved the world from hunger. The Lord has sent volunteers to use their talents, their trades, wisdom (like Solomon) and power and connections (Cyrus, Nehemiah) to advance His plan and purpose in life.

From Prophet Isaiah, who needed to consecrate himself into the holiness of God to be fit for His assignment, Jesus, who left His glory in heaven to die for the salvation of mankind, a young boy who shared his five loaves and two fishes, Phillip, who was ordained to share food among the brethren who volunteered to go to Samaria to share the joy in the city, a family who kept a Bible in a piece of bread during the persecution and the decree to exterminate the Bible,  to a young boy who helped to spread the Bible under Soviet rule through his backpack on his way to school, to all the acts of volunteering, the importance of volunteering cannot be underrated and is more needed in our days.

The Holy Spirit addressed the different aspects of service (volunteering) to the cause and purpose of God (1 Corinthians 12:1-10). The first two verses are interesting! Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. The verses say some of the gifts of God in our lives have been used to advance some dumb gods and some evil purposes. But now, we should use them to advance the kingdom of God and God’s purposes.

Romans 12:3-8 makes it more coherently expressive. All of us should minister to people with the gifts (talents) given to us through humility and sacrificial life. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. The Holy Spirit says we must use our different gifts, such as prophecy, teaching, administration, giving, exhortation, leading and showing mercy. The Lord commands us to do so with faith, liberality, diligence, and cheerfulness.

There is a level of happiness and satisfaction associated with being a volunteer. Researchers have measured hormones and brain activity and found that helping others makes you feel so good. Giving to others comes naturally to us. We feel better when we contribute more. Discovering your hobbies and passions through volunteering is enjoyable and simple. Engaging in volunteer work can provide a rejuvenating and peaceful break from your daily schedule of job, education, or family obligations.

Participating in volunteer work also gives you newfound inspiration, drive, and inventiveness that you may use in both your personal and professional lives. It also helps you maintain your physical wellness and boosts your self-confidence. Studies have indicated that the mortality rate for volunteers is lower than that of non-volunteers. Elderly volunteers have been shown to walk more, do daily duties more easily, have lower rates of hypertension, and have superior cognitive abilities. In addition to lowering the risk of heart disease, volunteering can help relieve the symptoms of chronic pain.

At Shepherd’s House for All Nations, we recognise the power of volunteering and are responding to it. We are also facilitators, encouraged, and thrilled by little gestures of service, encouragement, counselling, training, and facilitation, from gracious people who are interested in community works that expand the kingdom and purpose of God among His people across nations and languages. We are committed to facilitating every act of kindness and sacrificial acts of love that will lead to the good of the people and advance God’s kingdom. Here are a few of the volunteer opportunities we look forward to facilitating in the year 2024:

• Any group of young people who want to make an impact in their community with teaching and innovative ideas.
• Any person with the skill/ability to impact the development of a fellow human being in any part of the world.
• Any teacher of the word of God or any vital knowledge needed to uplift people’s lives.
• Any academic who wants to use his or her annual leave to do community service to improve people’s lives in any community in any part of the world.
• Any researcher or academic who plans to go on sabbatical leave and wishes to use part of the time to advance God’s kingdom in a specific or any part of the world.
• A church administrator who feels he/she could separate a week or a few days to impact knowledge on the development of churches or religious organizations locally and in any part of the world.
• Financial donations are made regularly, or as led by God, to advance volunteer work or other gospel outreach.

Shepherd’s House for All Nations Ministries has created a portal to synchronize all these on a local, regional, and international basis. We will also try to communicate with different people from different parts of the world who want to volunteer in the same area without knowing each other.

Here is the link. Kindly visit and explore www.shepherdsministrieshq.org. Click on the dropdowns on the services icon and fill in the details of what you want to volunteer on and where (local, regional, and international) the volunteering opportunity is located.

For those who want to give, there is an icon of donation on our webpage. There is also the opportunity for you to download our free eBooks and to purchase some eBooks (and the opportunity to support Mission outreaches).

Thank you & God bless.

Dr Yiseyon Hosu

President & Founder, Shepherds House for All Nations Ministries