Volunteer Perspective

by Martia DeMore

When I first heard about Project Connect Nashville several years ago, I looked up the website, met with the founders, and attended a volunteer equipping workshop before getting involved. To get started, I brought food for a Sunday night dinner and helped lead worship at the Madison site. But the day I sat down at a table to serve as an ally in a Faith & Finances class was the day I really “got it”! How exciting to be part of a program that has the potential to help people learn about allowing God to help them deal with the barriers keeping them from becoming who He made them to be! I met women (this class happened to be all women) who wanted to put themselves in a position of strength, with the possibility to reach personal and career goals. I wanted to support their commitment to try doing life a different way.

That was in 2020. Since then, I have been an ally in several classes, and now I facilitate the Story of God class and conduct a new Bible study at the Woodbine site. I have loved forming relationships with participants and the volunteers and staff who care about them. I have prayed with class members and for them and have celebrated God’s answers to their prayers. I have enjoyed deep, personal conversations and worship experiences during lunches and dinners.

One of the delightful by-products of the very personal sharing before, after, and inside the classes and shared meals is the strong bond of community that we experience. Participants seem to know each other well and, even better, care about each other with demonstrated affection. They laugh, hug, and listen. It’s wonderful to watch!

I continue to participate in Project Connect Nashville because I believe God is working here. I feel privileged to come alongside people who sincerely want to get themselves together as well as volunteers and staff who are committed to helping them do that.