serve- jenna newton
13th July 2009 by Julia Hosking
For the last couple of years, God has really placed on my heart the importance of mission, and serving those who have needs in life. While I recognised God's calling on my life, I was unsure how God wanted me to fulfil this calling. I felt God showing me how important overseas mission was, but at the same time, God was really showing me the needs of the people that live in my country, in my own community.
Towards the end of last year I was given the opportunity to be a leader and help out in the children's ministry at Macquarie Fields. For me, this was perfect timing as I had been praying for God to use me in whatever way he needed. While people generally see mission as an overseas experience, for me, teaching and caring for kids who come from broken families is one of the greatest opportunities for mission.
Being a part of the team at Mac Fields has really shown me how one small action of mine could impact someone else. This experience has really shown me the importance of showing God's love to the kids that show up to MicroMacs (our children's program). Seeing these kids excited to come to church every Sunday is such a blessing to me!
One big challenge for me in serving God at Mac Fields is, as selfish as this will sound, the travelling every Sunday. What is only an hour drive there and back can often be draining (especially if I'm tired) and often seen as an inconvenience. In what I see as one of my challenges, lies one of the highlights of going to Mac Fields. Turning up at Mac Fields and seeing how excited the kids are to come to church really rubs off on me and makes me excited, and helps me to understand the importance of serving and sacrifice.
I suppose that's what God continues to show me through MicroMacs. He's really reinforced to me the importance of serving him, and how he is continually there for me. I've also learnt the importance of relying on God for his strength and patience. When I'm tired and don't feel like travelling up to Mac Fields, when we get kids who don't want to join in, or when we're faced with a lot of negativity, it's such a relief to know that with God's strength we can go on and continue to serve him.
save. grow. serve.
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Comments
Wow thanks so much for sharing your testimony Jenna, love your honesty and frankness, I wanna honour you for your perseverance and faithfulness in loving the kids from MacFields. The opposite of obediance is almost always conveniance, thanks for choosing to count the cost of local mission, bless ya heaps Jenna!
Good on you Jenna, great to read of your obedience to God and the journey that He has you on.
Awesome Jenna! It's absolutely fantastic that you are actively serving at Mac Fields because you are one gifted and talented person! Great reflection on your journey Jenna!
Jenna, you are an amazing woman and I am so pleased to hear that despite the frustrations of travel and unwilling kids, you are still so willing to serve God at Mac Fields.
I have been praying a lot for you (since we sang together last year at youth councils) and will continue to do so.
You're cool... and God is so awesome!
Jenna, you are really pretty. And while it might seem that this has nothing to do with your serve story, it does really....your growth in God and desire to serve him just radiates from you and makes you ...yeah really pretty.