By Allen Pfundtner, VCN Member
This article is about how our community comes together in service.
Serving our Brothers and Sisters
Recently I participated in the effort to load the moving truck for our Youth Pastor and his family who were transitioning to a new staff position. It was inspirational how many of our Venice Church of the Nazarene (VCN) community came out to assist, including most of our pastoral staff.
It all began with Mickey Ray taking the time to call around and see if anyone could come to help this young family load their truck for a big move up to Indiana. I know Mickey contacted many people to come and help, but I think even he was surprised at the response. God will supply all our needs.
I was concerned we might run out of room looking at which had to go on the truck … until Pastor Gary Ball arrived! Pastor Ball was particularly skillful in stacking the truck. There eventually was enough room on the truck for their drum set, full-sized foosball table, and even their theater-sized popcorn maker! Prayers were answered and our community came together to help one of our own. As I have seen so many times before over the years, our VCN community came together to serve.
Hurricane Clean-Up
I have personally experienced the power in God’s people after Hurricane Ian. My home was virtually destroyed when a 60-foot live oak tree landed on it. The faithful people of VCN were prompted by the Holy Spirit to provide a house for my wife and me to live in for nearly 7 months. And, they helped with a large amount of the repairs needed after the contractors finished what they were able to do. About 20 of our VCN friends came to our house to do the kinds of jobs I was unable to do. The following are some before and after pictures showing the blessings of having a VCN family.
I know you may be thinking many churches have work crews who on a very good day might step in to assist, but few would be willing to help out a brother in a disaster such as this.
Proverbs 17:17 says, “A Friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
I was truly blessed. The selfless nature of our VCN community is priceless. I want to personally thank all of those who participated in the work at my house after Hurrican Ian: Mickey Ray, Gordon Whitten, Denis Romanok, Victor Wu, Domenick Murabito, Gary Jones, Suzanna Hartzler, and Joan Ray just to name a few. I’m sure I am probably leaving someone out, but rest assured I feel blessed by all who helped to get us back into our house.
Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child
Now if you thought construction was the only way our VCN community comes together in service you are very mistaken. Annually VCN is a hub for the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Program, where many of our members come together to load boxes and trailers with supplies and Christmas gifts for impoverished children throughout the world.
Gideons - Sharing the Word and Love of God
VCN also has the largest number of Gideons of any congregation in our area. These men and women are responsible for annually leading literally hundreds of men, women, boys, and girls to the Lord through their witness and the sharing of scriptures.
Let’s Serve Together!
We have many opportunities within the church to serve each other and those in our community, locally and globally. God desires all hands on deck. I pray this article will bless you and that you will be inspired to join us in serving as unto the Lord.