History

VIS History

In 1986, Volunteers In Service (VIS) was created by local Deacons of the Christian Reformed Church to build bridges between needs in the community and Christ-centered churches. Since then, Volunteers In Service has seen its ministry parnerships grow to a large network of churches including Christian Reformed, United Methodist, Reformed, Lutheran, Catholic, Bible and non-denominational churches in the Grand Rapids area. VIS connects people who need caring support with people in the Christian community equipped to provide faith-motivated care for their neighbors. Supportive relationships are built through friendship, special projects, mentoring, and the Car Connection. The VIS ministry focuses on three key elements: Connecting, Equipping, and Caring. All three are necessary for developing meaningful, life-changing relationships.

Connecting

Volunteers In Service acts as a clearinghouse for the community to connect individual needs with caring volunteers within the church community. While it is often difficult for churches to stay connected with the various community needs, VIS maintains strong partnerships with public and private social service agencies throughout the Grand Rapids area. Individuals with long-term needs are then linked to churches that recruit volunteers who help to provide support and love over a period of time.

Equipping

Churches and their members want to be engaged in meaningful ministry with the community. The challenge is knowing how to go about this task. VIS is a strategic partner for local churches and their members to help them fulfill the biblical mandate to love and serve their neighbors. VIS provides training and resources to equip churches for effective community ministry.

Caring

Changed lives are the best way to measure the impact of Volunteers In Service. When individuals with needs are connected to equipped church members, they experience significant hope, love, and support. More importantly, they experience God working in their lives. And through selfless acts of love by volunteers, many people are being welcomed and enfolded into a church family.

Mission

Volunteers In Service enables churches to be Christ's servants in their communities.

Vision

Volunteers In Service will be the recognized West Michigan leader in equipping churches for relational ministry.

Values

Churches: We believe that local churches are the body of Christ and the primary means by which God works in the world. Churches instruct members in God's Word, build them up in the faith, equip them to serve others, and provide opportunities for them to be Christ in their communities.

Service: We believe that Jesus Christ was the ultimate servant and is our example for service in His life and death. In grateful response His followers seek to use their gifts, abilities, and resources to joyfully meet the needs of their communities and reach others for Christ.

Relationships: We believe that God created humans to live in right relationships with others. Significant life change is best accomplished when we serve relationally. The greater the investment in relationships, the greater the opportunity to meet needs and demonstrate the love of Christ.

Communities: We believe God has purposefully placed churches in specific neighborhoods and communities to listen to those they live and work with, to discern effective ways to meet their needs, and to respond as Christ would respond.