Answering the Call to Help Others
We are living in a season where, despite the confusion and uncertainty all around us, countless opportunities exist to get involved in our communities—where we live, work and worship. For some, the chaos of the world can feel overwhelming. But for those with eyes of faith, these times present open doors to serve, to love and to make a real difference.
I recently spoke with a church member from Baltimore, Maryland, who had just lost his job. After two decades of faithful work, he was unexpectedly laid off due to a downturn in the economy. Understandably, he felt uncertain about his future. Yet, in the stillness that followed, he found himself drawing closer to God, spending more time in prayer, seeking not just provision, but purpose.
One morning during his worship time, he read Matthew 9:37: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” That verse stirred something within him. Despite his own challenges, he realized there were many others facing hardship—people just like him who needed hope and help. Encouraged, he felt called to action.
He started small, forming a prayer group focused on parents facing overwhelming challenges with their children, such as drug addiction, mental illness and criminal behavior. This group became a lifeline, not just through prayer, but through shared burdens, support and faith in Christ. Their mission? To bring these families before God and to walk alongside them in love.
But the work didn’t stop there. The group asked a vital question: “Who else can we help?” They reached out to the local prison, offering to assist individuals soon to be released. The warden was receptive, identifying several inmates who could benefit from support as they transitioned back into society. One woman, recently released after serving a two-year sentence, stood out. Though her time was served, her journey was just beginning—she faced real challenges finding work, securing basic needs and feeling valued again.
The group rallied around her. They visited her home, provided clothing for job interviews and helped her take her first steps toward reintegration. These weren’t grand gestures, but intentional, Christ-centered acts of love. Through their actions, they lived out the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:40: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
One of the most beautiful aspects of this kind of service is that it is given freely without expectation, without conditions. Their help wasn’t a transaction. It was a reflection of Christ’s love, a love that reaches out unconditionally. Often, the most powerful witness we can give is simply showing up, meeting needs and being present in someone’s life without any strings attached. True service reflects the heart of Jesus, who met people where they were, offering love, healing and hope first, and trusting that God would work in their hearts in His time.
What a time it is to be alive—a time to not only witness the challenges around us but also to step up and make a difference. The needs are great, but so are the opportunities. Each act of kindness, every moment of service, reflects Christ’s love and fulfills His call to care for those whom He describes as His brethren.
There’s a place for everyone to serve no matter your skills, background or circumstances.
Let us rise to the moment. Let us see the harvest and answer the call. And as we serve, may we remember that in lifting up others, we find our own purpose renewed. In helping others, we are, in fact, serving Christ Himself.
By W. Derrick Lea. Lea is the Adventist Community Services Executive Director for the North American Division. He lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with his family.
Empowering to Serve
Adventist Community Services (ACS) makes it easy for people who feel called to serve but don’t know where to start. ACS offers structured opportunities and resources, helping volunteers respond effectively to real-world needs. For the church member who lost his job, connecting with ACS opened new doors to reach further and serve more intentionally.
As the humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America, ACS provides a powerful platform for individuals and churches to serve those who need help. Whether through disaster response, community development, food distribution or emotional and spiritual care, ACS empowers people to be the hands and feet of Jesus in their communities. You don’t have to look far to find someone in need, and you don’t have to serve alone.
To learn more about ACS or get involved in your local area, visit AdventistCommunityServices.org or contact your local Seventh-day Adventist Church. Through Adventist Community Services, you can be part of a movement of compassion that brings hope and healing to communities across the nation.
