Giving it all, one ride at a time
At Gracepoint you often hear stories about hard workers behind the scenes who make things happen especially for big events like G-live, NSWN, or JCC. Among this group are our weekly ImpACT and Joyland drivers who may very likely be the epitome of what it means to give it all.
The rides component of the ImpACT and Joyland programs draw on drivers from many of our ministries — Berkeley and CSUEB College staff, Element, ISM, Korean Department, and Praxis — who are already serving in different capacities yet continue to make the time to serve by driving ImpACT and Joyland kids from Oakland to Willard and back to their homes. It truly takes the whole church to successfully coordinate and arrange rides for the many children who come to ImpACT and Joyland. Throughout the week, I speak with Sue Yi, Tony and Michelle Sun, and Ken Yi (from Korean Department) as we work together to find and finalize drivers for that coming Sunday.
Drivers are participating in a task that many will not see. They are relating to ImpACT children and continuing to stretch themselves even more as they continue to give their all. It’s obvious that ImpACT and Joyland drivers have pivotal roles in our program because they transport the kids to and from Willard, but more importantly, ImpACT and Joyland drivers have the advantage of connecting with and ministering to the kids in the 20 to 30 minute car rides. They are the first people to greet the kids as they come to ImpACT and Joyland and the last people to leave an impression as the kids return home.
There are Sundays when rides go smoothly, but the Sundays where there aren’t enough drivers have proven to be the most effective in faith building. It is during these Sundays that the body of Christ giving their all for a common purpose becomes strikingly apparent as drivers step up to take kids home. It is encouraging for me to experience the kind of positive attitude and willingness I see from drivers, especially those who are asked an hour before (or five minutes…and sometimes even on the spot), to drive for ImpACT and Joyland. Regardless of their tiredness or the busyness of their morning schedule and responsibilities, the drivers continue to be all there for their kids as they engage in meaningful conversations and just simply try to understand where the kids are coming from.
Having the opportunity to coordinate rides for ImpACT and Joyland has allowed me to see the various ways in which we, at Gracepoint, strive to give our all for God’s work and kingdom. My prayer is that the kids will come to understand the kind of heart and character exhibited by these drivers, and that they will one day also come to serve God in similar ways.