Mercy involves developing relationships to share God’s love and provide for physical and spiritual needs, without expectations for response. It should be an ongoing part of a believer’s life and faith practice, not a separate, occasional activity. The practice of mercy can range from doing your family’s laundry or leaving a good tip for the overworked waitress to developing a mentoring relationship with a struggling family or leading a Bible study at a nursing home.
The Bible is full of references that show God’s heart of mercy for the poor. Here are just a few:
I John 3:18 – “My little children, let us not love in words or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”
James 1:27 – “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faithful is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
Matthew 25: 34-40—“Then the King will say to those on his right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40 "The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.
Micah 6:8 – “He has shown you, O man, what is good and what is right, to love justice and to do mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Ezekiel 16:49 – “Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.”
Matthew 10:42 – “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, He will certainly not lose His reward.”
Hope for the Triad Mercy Opportunities
Refugee Resettlement: Assist Montagnard refugees who fled religious and political persecution in Vietnam.
Opportunity: Volunteers needed for English tutoring and transportation to children’s activities like scouting and soccer. To help, call Linn Crowell at 632-1307 or Pat Singer at 545-1801.
School Lunch Buddies and Tutoring: Befriend or tutor needy children in the Guilford County Schools.
Opportunity: Meet with a child one hour a week for tutoring or as a lunch buddy at any school in Guilford County. Call Laurel Tredinnick at 292-1479 or Wanda Heustess at 841-0097.
Foster Parent Association: Plan special church events to help foster families such as the Early Thanksgiving Dinner and Parent Time Out.
Opportunity: To help, call Jeff Miller at 292-7788.
Guardian Ad Litem: Advocate for foster children, representing them as they navigate the social service and legal systems.
Opportunity: Call Frankie Boerema to learn more at 292-4106.
Department of Social Services: Assist needy families and foster children.
Opportunity: Mentor a family, foster child or teenager; serve as a community representative at Child Welfare meetings. Call Dan Reppert at 641-4388.
Greensboro Pregnancy Care Center: Serve those experiencing unplanned pregnancies, offering new life for them and their babies.
Opportunity: Volunteer as a receptionist, peer counselor, housecleaner, handyman, etc. For more information, call GPCC at 274-4881.
Maryfield Nursing Home: Assist the elderly with activities of daily living.
Opportunity: Volunteers are needed to do everything from play card games or feed residents to pray and teach the Bible. For more information, call Lisa Newman at 297-9304.
Triad Disability Advocates: Help the disabled achieve a higher level of independence.
Opportunity: Volunteers befriend and mentor the disabled and their children. Call Scott Toth, 282-7674 or Lee Paige, 668-7419.
Urban Ministry: Serve the homeless and financially needy.
Opportunity: Volunteers needed to serve meals, interview people requesting emergency help, mentor homeless families, conduct Bible studies and children’s activities and much more. Call Volunteer Services at 271-5959.
