National Volunteer Week
April 27 – May 3, 2008

What is a volunteer?

Dictionary.com defines “volunteer” as “a person who performs a service willingly and without pay.” In its earliest usages, it came from root forms that meant “one’s free will” and was primarily used in reference to people who offered themselves for military service.

"That a person would make a personal choice to leave his or her home, travel a distance to the inner city, to in some way perform an act of service to aid someone they do not know, someone who could use some support, encouragement and assistance . . . and doing it, not to be paid, but simply “just because” . . . that, to me, is amazing to think about," said Bret Kroh, Formal Volunteer Administrator.

City Union Mission High Impact volunteers are called by God to partner with Mission staff, using their God-given gifts, skills, talents and passions to serve in specific team roles . . . all to further and advance the Kingdom of God in the lives of guests of City Union Mission.

It is very much “military service” . . . it is a spiritual war that Satan wages on the souls of people and those trying to rescue them. It involves personal peril and risk of assault from the enemy. It involves personal sacrifice to bring hope and freedom to others in bondage. It requires courage, endurance, commitment and bravery in the midst of discouragement, hopelessness and despair. It involves people being motivated through difficult odds by the single greatest motivation of all . . . love . . . the love of Christ . . . the love of Christ for us . . . for others . . . for the love of freedom . . . freedom from Satan’s bondage . . . for the privilege to walk in freedom as God designed His Kingdom to be!

City Union Mission High Impact Volunteers . . . you guys are awesome! What a privilege it is to serve with you! To partner together in the Kingdom of God! May you be blessed with His grace and peace!

Have you sensed God’s Calling to use your God-given gifts, skills and talents to serve the poor and homeless of Kansas City? Click here or please contact Bret Kroh, to discuss the opportunities you are interested in and begin the application process at 816-329-1469 or email him at Bret@cumission.org.

Click here to see all of our current volunteer opportunities. Check back often as they are always changing.