| Why I Serve I was asked by the Nominating Committee to give a brief testimony on Sunday, August 3 during the Ministry Moment to address why I serve on our Board of Directors. I found it difficult to stick to the two-minute time limitation! In thinking and praying about my testimony, I came to a simple conclusion: I love this church, and all the people in it. Whenever I think I have experienced all the amazing ways God can bless me through Resurrection, and that I couldn’t be more blessed, God opens my heart to a new and beautiful part of Resurrection’s ministry. Once again, my heart is full and I know why my feet (and hands, and heart, and voice, and passion and finances) are solidly planted in service. During my testimony I gave the example of June 15–the Sunday we had a gas leak in the Resurrection sanctuary, and our Leadership, musicians, clergy, and volunteers stepped up and THE SPIRIT MOVED worship right into the Activities Building. I was more than two hours away and could do nothing but pray! How wonderful to experience our amazing team who keeps Resurrection running had all the resources and tenacity to refuse to NOT have worship. I was informed by long distance that we have NEVER not had worship, ever! I’m not so sure about that, but hey: They got it done, and that’s yet another blessing and a lesson in trust and faith. I want to share one other recent experience that resonated in my soul. It is common when you serve on the Board, or Executive Team, or volunteer, or lead a ministry, that when you are at church on Sunday, you do not get to just sit back and worship. It had been a while since I had experienced worship without being on point. I love our worship, and always am moved by the music and sermon, but I can’t usually just sit and be fed. On that same Sunday, I decided to stay and attend La Casa de Todos’s service at 1:00 pm. I had not experienced their regular worship in a long time and wanted to attend, to let them know that they were and are part of my Resurrection family. I didn’t expect much as I do not speak or understand much Spanish. Was I ever surprised?! They were so excited to have me there, and they made sure I was welcomed, and included. This was just the beginning. First, they greeted their online attendees, from all over the world! They greeted folks from Peru, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica; it went on and on. I was so PROUD to realize the breadth of their reach! In our current political and cultural climate, La Casa de Todos is reaching people with the message of God’s love – right where they are. Then, Rev. Ulises Perez got up to preach. He spoke with such passion, spirit, and energy, and for the first time in a long time, I got to sit back and feel the Holy Spirit fill me! What a gift! I knew enough Spanish to look up the scriptures and use a translation app to get the gist of what he was saying, but I didn’t need any of that to feel, see and experience the Holy Spirit. I got to “have church“ in every sense of the word and even got to have communion! I was only sorry that I could not stay longer, as I had been away and needed to get home. I walked in not expecting anything other than to be present and support their ministry. Instead, I got to fully experience God’s love, how “having church” restores me, and all I wanted to do was stay and continue to share with them. Now THAT is ministry. La Casa de Todos supported MY ministry. Why do I serve? Honestly it is purely selfish: God never fails to surprise, delight, ignite, and remind me that I get so much more out of service than I could ever give. I want to thank the team at La Casa de Todos, and especially Rev. Ulises, for the gift of true worship, fellowship, and for their amazing worldwide ministry. How proud I am to serve this church, my church, my Resurrection. Yours in Service,  Jackie Marshall Vice Moderator, Board of Directors Jackie@ResurrectionMCC.org Read full newsletter HERE. |
