April 14, 2015

Volunteering with Element: Mike’s Story

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[intro]Riv has hundreds of volunteers, serving across all sorts of ministries. Today we hear from Mike Davis, a volunteer with Element, Riv’s high school ministry.[/intro]

Tell us a little about yourself.

mike-family-photo-smallMy wife Leanne and I have been married for 12 years (13 this May). I am the lucky father of three very wonderful little girls, Emmerson (8), Elliot (5), and Laingston (5). The fun part about my family is that all four of these amazing women in my life have the same birthday. All of them were born on the same day in September.

I work at Michigan State University as a Graphic and Web Designer. I love drawing, hockey, broom ball, and making pancakes.

What’s your faith story?

I was born in the Dominican Republic and came to the States with my parents when I was 2 or 3. I grew up in a Christian home and have always known Jesus. I was baptized in eighth grade and really felt strong in my faith. However, in college and early in marriage I drifted from God and He was not a priority in my life.

But as Leanne and I were trying to figure out how to raise our family and what was missing from our lives, we found Riv, and that pointed me back in the right direction. It reminded me of how God needs to be at the center of our lives and I remembered how much my parents taught me that, and knew that is what I should do in my family.

Why did you decide to volunteer with Element?

I first decided to volunteer with Element just to run the slides during the teachings. But after being there week after week, I really felt a desire to volunteer as a leader. It was something that I wish that was available for me in high school. And knowing how challenging it is to grow up as a person but also as young man of faith, I wanted to be able to help guide young men in the way they should be growing. Hoping that they will learn from some of the mistakes I have made and could avoid them in their own lives.

What sorts of things do you do as a volunteer? What’s your favorite part about volunteering?

We do all sorts of fun things as volunteers. Every week we get to play different games with the students. We also hang out with them outside of Element. We go out to eat, or to the movies, or to sporting events. Sometimes we get together at another leaders house with some of the students we volunteer with.

I think my favorite part about volunteering is the relationships that are formed with both the students and the leaders. Seeing all of these students grow as people and in their faith and also how we as leaders are willing to help each other and our students is so wonderful.

The winter retreat is amazing. Also playing broom ball with these people is a blast! By far one of the most fun things we have done.

How have you seen Jesus at work?

mike-at-element-retreatIn the students I have seen how Jesus can work in their lives to change someone who is hurting and is not sure if they believe in Him, and bring them to understand that He is real, that He loves us, and that He came to save us. Seeing the realization of that in these students is truly awesome.

I have seen how he can strengthen these students and they are becoming the next wave of people helping and volunteering and leading in different roles at Riv. How students have stepped up to teach younger students. I have seen how they feel more confident in their salvation in Christ and invite their friends to come to Element to have good time and hear the Gospel.

In my life I have seen how he has changed our entire family. How by putting him first, and at the center of what we do, we are more generous with our time and money. I have seen how he can strengthen our marriage, and has helped us focus on how we treat each other, and how we parent our own kids.

Anything else you want Riv to know?

Remember to keep God as first and put him at the center of all that you do. By allowing him to be in the place he rightfully deserves in my life, I have become a better husband, father, and mentor. If at all possible, volunteer at RivKids at any level. Just being there for these kids, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you to affect their lives, it is so amazing how it strengthens and changes you as well. I can not tell you the number of times that simply being a person that they can talk to has had an impact on their lives, but even more so my own.

Want to get involved? Learn more about volunteering with RivKids.

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