Tuesday, November 22, 2016

{#GivingTuesday 2016} UMVIM, SEJ Board Member

Since The Advance will not be offering any matching funds for Giving Tuesday this year, the UMVIM, SEJ Staff and Board has come together and pledged $12,000 to be used as matching fund. So, on November 29: #GivingTuesday 2016, donations will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $12,000. We believe our mission is big, and we also believe that we can't send trained, equipped volunteers into the field to show Christian Love in Action without the support of our community. 
This year, learn more from those who have personally experienced the impact of all UMVIM has to offer. Rev. Matt Lacey, UMVIM, SEJ Board Communication Committee Chair and North Alabama Conference UMVIM Coordinator, shares about what UMVIM means to him. 

How do volunteers help you carry out God’s mission?

My first mission experience was, and is, a fundamental experience in my faith journey. I saw new things, and asked many new questions about myself, the world, and God. One of the blessings of helping coordinate mission teams is to see that faith transformation in volunteers that you have helped train and connect them to the mission field.

What differences do you see in teams whose leaders have been trained by UMVIM, SEJ?

The team leader training is an important part of that--it helps cultivate that spiritual growth in each team leader, and then to the whole team as they prepare, serve, and process their work in helping to build God's kingdom.

Share a brief story about the impact of volunteers.

The impact that UMVIM teams make is incredible. Not just the physical work, but the time spent entertaining kids on the job site, or the connections and friendships that are made which last for years and years. When I first started training team leaders, I helped a team coordinate a trip to Haiti for a congregation who hadn't been engaged in the mission field in a while. Since that initial trip at least one team each year goes--sometimes two--to strengthen that partnership and to be a part of the body of Christ. It's an incredibly moving thing to see how God works.

On November 29: #GivingTuesday 2016, donations will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $12,000. Please give generously to Advance #901875.

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