You Need Volunteers. The Mission, Part 3

"You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens." Exodus 18: 18.

The Answers2Prayer ministry had started to mushroom. More and more people were requesting our newsletters, and I found myself answering Bible questions, praying for hundreds of people, putting together the newsletters, managing the websites, etc., all by myself. It was literally a 1-man show. Of course I was also teaching, and I found myself so busy that I couldn't keep up.

My wife suggested it first: "You need help! Why not recruit volunteers?"

Even the thought was overwhelming, and I cleanly dismissed the idea.

It wasn't too long before I began to hear my Heavenly Father suggesting the same thing: "You need volunteers."

My response? "Why?"

The fact was, I wasn't certain how to go about organizing volunteers, but finally seeing the wisdom in the idea, I began to pray: "Lord, I have no idea how to do this. I am lost."

His answer: "I will help you!"

Then I realized that I didn't even have a clue how to recruit volunteers.

God's answer? "I will provide. Trust me."

Good advice, but I still had no idea where to begin. I needn't have worried, however, for my Father began sending me volunteers, seemingly out of nowhere. Some came to pray; others came to answer Bible Questions; still others came to be encouragers.

We started small, with just a handful of volunteers. I was still adjusting to the administrative end, but we were united in faith and the ministry was growing. Next my Heavenly Father told me to begin inviting people to volunteer through the announcements section of our newsletters, and the volunteers continues to pour in.

God helped me to realize next that I needed someone, a volunteer, to coordinate the volunteers. Soon someone who had a heart for God, became that volunteer coordinator, and she also began to be in charge of delegating prayer requests to appropriate volunteers. in addition she took on the responsibility of praying for all of the volunteers daily, and she always made herself available to help them at any time. Even today she faithfully prays for every volunteer.

And the ministry continues to grow.

Truly, there was no way that I could make a ministry grow so fast. My Father was in the helm. He was the one in charge, and He brought about miracles out of nowhere.

Trust in Him and you will be blessed.

Rob Chaffart