Are you MIA – Missing in Action? This was a question posed to our men recently. We have high levels of involvement here at Harvest but our goal is to help each one find a place of service that fits them. Men In Action will be a perfect fit for a lot of guys who aren’t always sure where to use their gifts and abilities and skills.
Men In Action is small teams of men roving the countryside with picks and shovels and axes looking for condemned buildings to raze and cathedrals to build. (Oops – that’s the video game coming out later.)
Actually, Men In Action is small teams of men who meet one Saturday a month as care givers to serve specific care receivers in practical ways. It is an outgrowth of targeting care for one another through small groups, in combination with our HOPE ministry, delivered, in this case, through our men’s ministry.
Each team will focus on maintenance and small repairs as an expression of the love and care from the body for those who need support and help this way. There are guidelines for their involvement and to provide safety and direction. While there are various objectives for this ministry, some of the main ones are:
To provide a small group where men can use practical skills
To provide a context for mentoring and building relationship
To provide greater variety in opportunities to serve
To broaden connections for care receivers who are often marginalized
To provide a witness through serving to family and neighbours
The next step for men who are interested is to get a form letter to take to their local police for a record check. (There should be no cost for this with the letter. If you already have one done, please bring a copy for our records.) This will be your passport to getting on a team and assigned to a care receiver. Letters are available from Connections, the office, or from one of these contacts:
Dave Eskra, who is heading up our men’s ministry:
Brad Ellis, who is heading up Men In Action:
When we have your records check we will assign teams and conduct an orientation in order to start in January. And remember – what we’re building - is people!
Roger