ABHMS Volunteer Initiatives
Volunteer Mobilization Ministries facilitates individual volunteer missionary appointments, summer service opportunities, group mission experiences, specialized service projects and disaster response.
American Baptists have traditionally been people of action, giving freely of their valuable time and talents to help survivors of tragedy throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Striking recent examples include volunteer efforts in response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the U.S. Gulf Coast, where American Baptists and partners have logged countless hours of hands-on recovery work.
2023 Mission Experiences Coordinated by American Baptist Home Mission Societies
Mission experiences can be transformational discipleship experiences. Through them, there is a possibility to learn more about ourselves and others, and witness God at work through our neighbors and us. All of these opportunities include components that begin 4 – 8 months before the team travels and continues with 3 – 6 months of reflection following the on-site experience. The investment of time includes Bible study; learning about the history, current realities and people of the community serving alongside of you; and reflection on how an experience away from home can enhance our service when we return home.
Please be prepared to submit information and follow the guidelines for background checks and any health protocols that may be requested by ABHMS and/or the mission site where you will be serving.
Connecting with Mission Partners in Puerto Rico
June 21-22
ABHMS invites you to serve in Puerto Rico during two days of mission experiences on June 21 and 22, 2023. Work projects will be determined closer to June and will likely include packing health kits for homeless persons, lawn maintenance, cleaning, minor repairs, construction and painting. There is also the possibility of visiting Corporacion Milagros de Amor (CorMA) an ABHMS Community Outreach Ministry partner. This opportunity is open to 100 passionaries.* Registration cost is $70.00 for two days and $35.00 for one day. To register, click here; deadline is May 19.
Please complete the ABHMS Mission Experience Interest Form by clicking here for any of these opportunity listings (the information form is not needed for the June 21-22, 2023 Mission Experience in Puerto Rico).
Kentucky Tornado and Flood Response
Work weeks in March, May, July and August
There is a need for skilled persons and those open to learn skills in cleaning, carpentry, plumbing, lawn care and relationship building. Registration fee is $150.00 per person. Housing costs that will range between $25 – $70 per person based on church, dormitory or double hotel occupancy. Team sizes will vary. More details to come.
Murrow Indian Children’s Home Muskogee, Oklahoma
One work week for July
There is a need for persons with skills and those open to learn skills in cleaning, carpentry, plumbing, painting, electrical, lawn care and relationship building. Registration fee is $150.00 per person. Housing costs that will range between $25 – $70 per person based on church, dormitory or double hotel occupancy. This opportunity is open to 25 (maximum) passionaries.* More details to come.
Greater New Life Center for Recovery – Indian Orchard, MA – an ABHMS Community Outreach Ministry (COM) Partner
This experience will occur one week in July
Standing squarely in the intersection where faith meets life, Greater New Life Christian Center provides a sanctuary for spiritual growth, personal development and recovery that equips the community to experience a closer walk with God and stronger relationship with each other. There is a need for a team to lead vacation Bible school and a plan a “Stay Positive” outreach event with
children and youth ages 6-17. This opportunity is open to 12 passionaries*, perhaps one or two small teams that ideally, include young adults.
Friendship House of Christian Service – Billings, MT – an ABHMS COM Partner
Week of July 2-8 or August 13-19
Friendship House of Christian Service works with preschool children to grandparents. They lead programs designed to develop leaders – leaders within families, leaders among peers, leaders within communities, and leaders for the future, all rooted in the virtues of Christian discipleship. There is a need for persons with skills and those open to learn skills in carpentry, plumbing, electrical, athletic abilities, and relationship building. Registration fee is $150.00 per person which includes meals and housing. This opportunity is open to 50 passionaries*. More details to come.
Weirton Christian Center – Weirton, WV/Heart Reach Ministries – Youngstown, OH/Rankin Christian
Center – Rankin, PA – they are ABHMS COM Partners
This experience will occur one week in July or August
Within 90 minutes of each other are three Community Outreach Ministries with historic connection to ABHMS. These centers have a commitment to serving God and community. They lead programs throughout the year that address the physical, cultural, academic, spiritual, and emotional needs of elders, children, families, people with disabilities, in crises and those seeking to develop employable skills. There is a need for teams to lead a week of vacation Bible school or other active summer programming and persons who can paint and help with minor repairs. This opportunity is open to 45 passionaries.*
*Passionaries – The way ABHMS identifies ordinary people doing extraordinary things that change lives in the name of Jesus Christ. Passionaries are passionate about responding to God’s call and passionate about mission – giving to it and serving in it.
Do you have interest in mission experiences other than these?
Please complete an interest form using the link above.
For more information, please contact: Breana Pettiford.
