Volunteers In Service (VIS) was founded in 1986
to be a support ministry for Grand Rapids area Christian Reformed Church (CRC) deacons. Today, VIS includes many Protestant denominations and Catholic churches across Kent County.
In the beginning...

A group of CRC churches desired to serve their neighbors but did not have a system in place to identify people in the community who would benefit from this connection. VIS began its work by developing relationships with social service agencies in Kent County, Michigan who were able to identify community members at risk of falling through the cracks because of limited services available to them. The agencies referred individuals to VIS and then VIS connected them with volunteers from churches who could stand in the gap alongside them and serve. The first ministries developed by VIS included the Supportive Friendship Ministry and the Service Project Ministry.

 

In 1990, VIS registered as a nonprofit corporation with the state of Michigan and in 1992 expanded its mission to serve the greater Grand Rapids community and Christian churches across the county. As deacons and church volunteers became more involved in serving their community, VIS realized the need to include training and resources for church leaders and deacons.

Today...

Over seventy five social service agencies in Kent County refer individuals to VIS.  VIS receives more than 1,400 requests for support a year.  VIS connects volunteers from over 75 Christian churches and schools across denominations with these opportunities to serve and be the hands and feet of Jesus in the community. In addition, VIS continues to provide training and coaching to equip church leaders as they mobilize their members for service in Jesus' name.