A Church of the Reconciler volunteer recently told me, “When I come to Church of the Reconciler, I receive something positive from the people there.” This volunteer recognizes the benefit of serving at Church of the Reconciler.
We’ve spent several blog posts outlining all the ministries and programs at Church of the Reconciler. We’ve highlighted our food ministry, prayer circle, worship service, partnerships, and case management among others. I encourage you to look over our blog if you aren’t familiar with these ministries. Church of the Reconciler community members are the ones on the receiving end of these ministries.
However, to see the members of Church of the Reconciler as only receiving ministry is a mistaken view of the church and misses one of the greatest ways Church of the Reconciler benefits our partner churches and volunteers. Church of the Reconciler community members not only receive ministry, but minister to others.
Pope Leo XIV recently wrote a short booklet, Dilexi Te (You are Loved), describing ways the church has cared for the poor throughout her history. He reflects on the ministry of the saints, writing, “Each in their own way discovered that the poorest are not only objects of our compassion, but teachers of the Gospel. It is not a question of “bringing” God to them, but of encountering him among them.”
Each week different groups bring food, bring a helping hand, or bring other resources to COTR that support our ministries. We’re deeply grateful for what our partner churches and volunteers bring to us. It is my hope and prayer that our partner churches and volunteers, all of you reading this blog post, receive the greatest gift Church of the Reconciler can offer to you: an encounter with Jesus.
I’ve received this gift of encountering Jesus through serving at Church of the Reconciler. Sometimes I hear Jesus speak through a joyful expression spoken in the midst of unimaginably difficult circumstances or a prayer that’s shaped by the sort of faith that moves mountains. I’ve seen Jesus through hands raised in worship, surrendered fully to God and smiling because, despite everything, hope persists. I’ve witnessed Jesus through listening to the hard won wisdom of my brothers and sisters facing homelessness or poverty. I’ve met Jesus through shared meals, laughter, and tears.
The members of the Church of the Reconciler community have ministered to me. Their ministry reinvigorates my faith, renews my hope, and restores me.
In times such as these, we could all benefit from a reinvigorated faith, a renewed hope, and a restored sense of self. In other words, we could all receive something while serving at Church of the Reconciler.