Why I Serve.

By Sky Bates

I first got involved with the Events Team because I was simply looking for a way to plug in, connect with others, and put my love for planning and organizing to good use. I wanted to help with our amazing VBS, and that became a great starting point for me.

I’ve always believed that hospitality and thoughtful details can make people feel seen and valued, so serving with the Events Team felt like a natural fit. More than anything, I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself—to help create spaces where people can walk in, immediately feel welcomed, and begin building community.

That desire is also why I continue to say “yes,” especially when it comes to outreach.

Serving gives me an opportunity to physically be the hands and feet of Jesus right here in our community. I’ve been on the receiving end of outreach opportunities both as a child and as an adult, so I know firsthand what a difference they can make. Because of that, I believe deeply in paying that blessing forward.

There is something powerful about watching someone who may have felt invisible or forgotten walk away knowing they were seen and loved. But one of the greatest parts of serving has been getting to share those experiences with my children. Seeing them right alongside me, serving others in our community, has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

Several experiences stand out, especially because my son, Kaiden, was serving alongside me.

We loved being part of Laundry Love, visiting local laundromats like BAM in Mansfield and several low-income apartment complexes. We were able to pay for people’s laundry, provide detergent, and simply spend time talking and fellowshipping with them.

Another unforgettable experience was preparing food for a huge crowd and then loading into the back of a truck with a mix of kids and adults to deliver meals throughout the parish. We visited hospital workers, first responders, neighborhoods, and families who weren’t expecting us. Watching the surprise, relief, and gratitude on people’s faces was incredible. But what stayed with me even more was seeing the joy on the kids’ faces as they realized they were bringing joy to someone else.

The New Orleans Mission Trip with Pastor Steve was another experience I’ll never forget. Kaiden and I had the opportunity to go onto ships, pray with seafarers, listen to their stories, and learn about people whose lives and walks with Jesus looked very different from our own. Across all of these experiences, seeing the life, love, and heart Kaiden poured into people—and hearing him boldly share his own testimony—has been one of the absolute highlights of serving for me.

Serving has also deepened my own faith in ways that simply sitting in a seat never could. It pushes me outside of my comfort zone, teaches me to rely on grace, and allows me to see God working in real time.

I’ve watched Him use incredibly ordinary things—setting up tables, handing out supplies, preparing food, or simply greeting someone—to touch people’s lives. It has reminded me again and again that God doesn’t need us to be perfect. He simply asks us to be available. Serving has made my faith more active, grounded, and outward-focused.

Whether someone walks through the doors of one of our events or encounters us somewhere in the community, my hope is that they feel valued, seen, and cared for. I want people to experience the unconditional love and grace of Christ in a tangible way and to know that they are fearfully and wonderfully made by a God who sees them and knows them by name.

Of course, I want people to have a great time and enjoy a well-planned event. But my greatest hope is that they experience something deeper—a genuine sense of belonging and the light of Jesus shining through the people serving them. I want them to leave knowing that they matter, that they aren’t alone, and that there is a loving community where the Gospel is not only spoken but lived out.

And to anyone who has thought about serving but hasn’t taken that step yet, I would say: just jump in and try it.

It’s completely normal to wonder whether you have enough time or the “right” skills. But you don’t need a special set of talents to serve. You simply need a heart that is willing to help. Serving isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up.

If you’re unsure where to begin, ask someone—or come join me! We can even serve together on something small if taking a big step feels intimidating. We have a church full of people who would love to walk alongside you, and there truly is a place for everyone.

You may start serving because you want to give something to others. But somewhere along the way, you’ll discover just how much God gives back to you through it. You might even find the community and purpose you’ve been looking for.