SERVE - Sending Experienced Retired Volunteers Everywhere

Resource Pool

The growing pool of retirees both within and without the Presbyterian Church provides a vast resource of qualified persons for short term mission service. We invite ministers, missionaries and lay people to participate in world evangelism both in the U.S.A. and overseas. When volunteers return to their home churches after short term service, they are better equipped to assist the local parish in strategic outreach and to inspire other to participate in this ministry and also to consider long term mission.

"Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest,
that He will send forth laborers into His harvest."
Matthew 9:38

Cooperation

SERVE is an ecumenical organization working in concert with mission minded Presbyterian and reformed bodies, mission agencies, and parachurch groups to channel volunteers into short term mission opportunities. The matching process is based on the volunteer's experience, capabilities, and preferences for geographic area and time duration.

Functions

• Recruiting volunteers for short term mission service
• Maintaining a database of short term opportunities and volunteers
• Matching volunteers with opportunities in the U.S.A and overseas
• Working in cooperation with Presbyterian and Reformed denominations and mission agencies
• Assisting short term mission project development
• Networking
• Training and orientation
• Follow up

Mobilization

The mission of SERVE is to mobilize the growing number of retired Presbyterians and others, both clergy and lay people, in short term mission. SERVE recognizes the many opportunities for short term mission activity throughout the world and the diverse strengths and skills retired people can provide in these situations.

Background

The vision which inspired SERVE came about when Matthew Welde observed in mission conferences the large number of Presbyterians who responded to his invitation to serve God in short term mission. He conferred with J.Murray Smoot, Ralph Winter, and others about the need to mobilize the growing resource of qualified pensioners in mission. Their response was enthusiastic to begin a specialized ministry not being provided at the time. After concerted prayer and discussion, SERVE was birthed officially in April 1993. It's ministry in cooperation originally with the Presbyterian Church (USA) is being expanded to include working with other reformed denominations and mission agencies. SERVE's volunteer staff is deeply committed to missions.

Short term mission takes many different forms in addition to the traditional skills for ministers and missionaries. Examples are accountants, administrators, attorneys, carpenters, communication and computer specialists, construction personnel, doctors, electricians, engineers, mechanics, nurses, paramedics, teachers, technicians, and other support personnel. Duration can be from a few weeks to several years.

SERVE is incorporated in Pennsylvania and is classed as a 501(c)(3) organization by the I.R.S.

SERVE Fellowship

A SERVE fellowship is planned for those who wish to participate in this ministry as prayer partners and supporting members. Donor contributions to SERVE are deductible to the extent they are gifts with no consideration received.

Short Term Mission Categories in SERVE's Database

Statement of Faith

• We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and life.
• We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His atoning death on the cross, in His bodily resurrection from the dead, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His return in power and glory.
• We believe that all humankind is sinful by nature as a result of the Fall and is subject to God's wrath and condemnation.
• We believe that salvation is by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and that all who receive Him are born anew by the Holy Spirit who indwells each believer.
• We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
• We believe in the necessity of bearing witness to our faith in word and deed and engaging in the task of mission and world evangelization so that there will ultimately be a church for every people group and the gospel proclaimed to every individual in the world.

For More Information

To learn more about SERVE and/or to contribute to this ministry, please contact:

SERVE
PO Box 284
Elverson PA 19520
Phone/Fax (610) 286-1978

Official site: http://www.serve-intl.org/

Also see... Central Lights Senior's Ministry