Building Lasting Connections
In our recent “Called to More” series, we challenged everyone to find places to connect and serve this fall. One great place to do just that is in Base Camp, Summit's Children's Ministry. We caught up with the Kline Family who has a story to tell about how connection and volunteering can go hand in hand! Nate and Deb Kline have served at Summit for well over a decade across various ministries. Their kids Addy (13) and Judah (15) grew up here and now serve as Junior Volunteers in elementary classrooms!
We recently met with Deb, a former teacher and music instructor who says Base Camp is actually why her family originally came to Summit. Their work schedules were such that they had no margin to serve, but they immediately fell in love with the children's ministry and noted how it felt safe for their son. So when their work schedules allowed for it, Deb said, "I wanted to give back so that other families could hopefully experience the community and soul restoration we felt when we first started at Summit. I’ve served in Base Camp consistently ever since. Eventually, I convinced my husband, a solid introvert, to serve in First Impressions so that he could meet people.”
Hearing that many new volunteers start off with the assumption that the time and effort they put in will be a one-way street is a common story. Equally as common, though, is the story of how connections made while volunteering lead to new Connect Groups, deeper roots at Summit, and lasting friendships.
The biggest surprise for Deb was how her kids responded to Nate and Deb’s continued commitment to volunteering. When asked how her young ones began to take an interest in serving as well, she said, “Honestly, we just had them start tagging along with us as we served, whether it was in First Impressions or a classroom. They didn’t have anyone to sit with in big church, so they hung out with us and soon, they were serving with with us! Kids learn best by watching others and being invited into serving also. Students thrive when trusted with responsibility.”
Volunteering is more than just giving back. In fact, many Summit volunteers would say the rewards outweigh the work put in. Deb said, “Volunteering gives our kids accountability. They know these little ones are watching them so they know they need to make good choices. I also believe volunteering together brings us together. It’s one of the few things we all do together on a regular basis. So for those two hours a week, we are working with the same kids and same people, same experiences. It’s a time of connection for our family.”
She went on to say that her kids “also enjoy serving with their friends. My kids actually want to be at church from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. every Sunday because of the friendships they’ve made between serving in Base Camp and Student Ministries. And now that we have all been serving for a few years, the kids are already talking about serving as junior leaders in Surge when the children we serve in Base Camp are in Surge a couple of years from now. They want to keep investing in these kids’ lives!”
This is a perfect example of what can be gained when believers humbly put one foot in front of the other, following God, through small acts of obedience. Nate and Deb’s faith, passion, and commitment to volunteering have successfully been passed down to their kids. They’ll likely never forget the friends they made, the confidence they gained through providing help, and last but not least, the fun they had while volunteering through these formative years. These are memories they’ll take with them into adulthood.
When asked what she would want to say to someone on the fence about volunteering, Deb said, “If you’re in a season when you need rest, take that rest. But if you have the margin to serve and want to help provide a space where kids can be safe and learn about God while parents can have some time with the Lord, it’s really not that big of a commitment. First Impressions is a great way to meet and connect with other people and you still enjoy most of the worship service. Serving in the classrooms, you don’t have to have experience with kids or have all the Bible answers to make a huge impact. You just need a willing spirit and a heart for helping! The staff makes the curriculums so easy to implement that you can just jump in and lead with little preparation.”
Deb also said, “If you feel like you haven’t made a whole lot of close friends at Summit, start volunteering in Base Camp! Base Camp is where our family has made 99% of our church friends. Or, if you really want to see our church grow and reach more people for Christ, volunteer in Base Camp so more families can have a safe and welcoming place for their kids to hang out while they worship and connect! Ultimately, events may get a family to the church, but the relationships are what will keep people involved! Base Camp is all about relationships — with God and each other!”
If hearing Deb’s story has inspired you, go check out our “Volunteer at Summit” page. There, you can see all of the opportunities to volunteer. Whether it’s rocking babies, offering a friendly handshake, or touching up paint, there’s a place for you to get plugged in. Learn more below about the different areas you can volunteer, including Base Camp, Summit’s children’s ministry!