JOHN KNOX TESTIMONIAL
LETTER

March 28, 2003

Coordinating the Bridge Ministries’ Sunday Evening Celebration has been a life-changing experience for me. It all started two years ago when I visited with Donna (Bridge’s Chaplain of Volunteer Ministries) to see how I could help and support their ministry. As we talked about the different volunteer opportunities, Donna shared the need for a south-end church to sponsor a Sunday Evening Celebration. She described the mission of the Celebration and I thought this would be a great ministry that our church could do together. I went back to our church and expressed the possibility of sponsoring the Celebration with Pastor Toby. He agreed with me that this is a great ministry to get our church members involved with.

When I volunteered to help coordinate the Sunday Evening Celebration I thought that this was just another ministry I could do to serve the Lord, but to my surprise I got out of it more than I ever have expected! First, I was challenged to step out of my comfort zone. I was put in a leadership role where I have to make plans, make decisions and organize the event. Through the process I discovered myself, my talents, and my passion for life.

Many of the volunteers who signed up to help out shared the same experience I did. These are some of their testimonies. “I came expecting to serve others, but instead I was being ministered to.” “The people who came are wonderful folks. They are joyful and enthusiastic about the simplest things we all take for granted. They are so easy to please.” Some volunteers shared that they felt the presence of the Lord at this gathering. For instance, one volunteer who signed up to be a table host had lost his mother just a couple of weeks before the Bridge Celebration. His wife shared, “You know what, we didn’t intend to be there because we are still grieving. We were going to call you and cancel but somehow we decided to attend the Bridge dinner anyway. I’m so glad we did because one of the guests at our table brought his dad who apparently knew my husband’s mom in her early years and we were able to exchange stories.” Isn’t God wonderful in bringing people into our lives to help with our problems when we least expect it?

I recommend that all churches sponsor a Sunday Evening Celebration. It will transform the lives of those who help out and give new perspective on sharing love to people with disabilities.

Sincerely,

Nhi Duong
Team Leader
John Knox Presbyterian Church

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