Barbara McCoy, Pastor Forest Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church
Florida, USA
“Service to me means praying and asking God: ‘how am I gifted?’ Once I understand how I’m gifted then praying and asking ‘how can I use that gift to reach people for you?’ And it can be in many different capacities.
Just open yourself up to God and ask ‘how can I be used to further Your Kingdom?’
My favorite way to serve is encouraging people.”
Mayra del Villar-Malcolm
Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
“My ministry is my children.”
Josie Watson
Libéria
“Servir significa pôr-se a si próprio em último lugar e pôr os outros em primeiro.
A minha forma preferida de servir é ajudar as pessoas, especialmente as mulheres. Acontece que as mulheres são muito vulneráveis. Ajudo a dar-lhes poder. Há tantos problemas que afectam as mulheres, incluindo a pobreza, problemas de saúde, entre outros. Por isso, quando se consegue minimizar esses problemas que as afectam através de programas de formação e de alfabetização, é uma excelente forma de as ajudar.”
Cynthia Panti
México
“I am an orthodontist, so I love helping people with their physical pain but also just talking with them about religion or about any problems that they have, praying with them, etc. I feel like in my career it’s really easy to help others. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to do that.
We have groups of volunteers that go to Guatemala or poor areas in Mexico. We do extractions, cleanings, and prevention. Our ministry has opened so many doors to tell people about Jesus. Many people have gotten baptized after we offered healthcare in their towns. I think what we do is like Jesus’ ministry. First, we care for their physical needs and then we care for their spiritual needs.”
We’re here in San Antonio, Texas for the General Conference Session. All week we’re asking visitors what service means to them and we’re so inspired by the different ways people serve.