Diversity in Missions

by Larry Leming
Missions Ministries Director

Can it really be the end of summer already?   Those are the words that our summer missionaries and I asked ourselves this week as they began to make preparations for returning to home and school. But, as the famous quote says, “time waits for no man” and so closes another season of local volunteers, visiting mission teams and 21 college and high school students all working together to accomplish one common goal: To share the love and light of Jesus Christ with all those who live, work, play or visit in Beaufort and Jasper Counties. 

As I have written before, we are so blessed to live in such a diverse area. Evidence of this diversity can be seen among the palmetto trees and live oaks, the coastland and the in-land, and right down to the very people and cultures that make up the LowCountry. This diversity offers us the opportunity to reach out in a variety of ways. Our summer missions efforts seeks to reflect that diversity by providing ministry in both resort and community settings.

In the remainder of this article, I will discuss the different ministry opportunities that are available in each of those areas. Who knows, you might just find something that God is leading you to be a part of in the spring, summer, fall or even year round…..start praying!!!!

In our area, resort ministry takes place in two distinct settings: Hunting Island State Park, just outside of Beaufort, and Hilton Head Island. The focus of resort ministry is to share Jesus with those who are on vacation, with those just enjoying our parks and beaches for a day and with those who work in these areas. At Hunting Island, this is done through conducting faith-based day camps with children camping there, providing family evening programs designed to reach the entire family, beach ministry, Sunday worship at the campsites, and employee appreciation meals.

On Hilton Head Island, outreach to lifeguards includes building witnessing relationships through daily visits, giving free frozen treats on a hot day, and offering free meals where a devotional thought is shared. With children, creative arts such as face painting and making of balloon animals are used. Other activities include conducting Sunday morning devotion time around the pool of a resort and providing a professional level performance at an outdoor stage area where many people are reached with music, words and actions. Resort employees are reached in a variety of ways including gift bags, dinners, visits, and alternative worship times.

As you can see, the possibilities are endless. Is God tugging at your heart yet? Well, either way, keep reading!!!

In community settings, the avenues of ministry are just as great. Within this ministry, you have the opportunity to work with the people who make the LowCountry their home. This gives you an incredible opportunity to build relationships and discover the true needs of those around you.

Multihousing ministry is ministry to people living in apartment complexes, high rise buildings, boats at the marina and anywhere else that a group of people are dwelling close together. Ministry in multihousing settings include backyard bible clubs, mentoring children and young mothers, food and clothing distribution, life skill classes, children and adult bible studies, Sunday or Saturday school, block parties, and holiday events.  We also find opportunities to minister to people at local Boys and Girls Clubs and the Parks and Leisure Services through faith-based sports camps, employee appreciation activities and through volunteering in these agencies after-school programs. Also, any neighborhood is a great place to have a faith-based camp of any kind. Being involved in community ministries simply means seeing your world through the eyes of Jesus, partnering with those around you who can help meet the needs you see and earning that right to share Christ through service, consistent presence, and involvement.

As you can tell, we are truly blessed to live in such a place as the LowCountry. The needs are many and God has planted us here to meet those needs. Our local volunteers, summer staff and visiting mission teams have given so freely of themselves during our season of summer ministry, but the work is far from accomplished. If you or your community of faith would like to know more about how to be involved, not just during the summer, but year round, please contact me. Together, we’ll share the love of Jesus with those who live, work, play and visit our wonderfully, diverse communities. 

Serving together,

Larry