StoneBridge - All In
Are You ALL IN?
Members across all StoneBridge campuses are “All In”--and we need your help!
Games taking place at our Wednesday night Student Ministry programming.
We recently put out the call for volunteers to assist us in various areas of ministry across the StoneBridge family, especially in KidMin and Student Ministries. So far, we’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response, and we’re thrilled to head into the holiday season with so many friendly faces assisting with our programs and ministries.
Let’s meet a few of the new volunteers who are going All In with StoneBridge this fall.
Mary Breedlove - Student Ministries Volunteer
Worship at our Fremont Student Ministries programming.
By the beginning of 2019, Mary Breedlove was ready to give up on finding a church she, her husband, and their children could attend together. Having lived in Fremont for six years, Mary had experienced difficulties in finding a church to connect at.
Mary found herself both lonely and discouraged; she wanted desperately to find a place where her family could worship.
Everything changed on Super Bowl Sunday, 2019. A friend of Mary’s learned through social media that StoneBridge was opening a Fremont campus. Because Mary’s grandparents attend our Omaha location, she was already familiar with the DNA of our church.
She was thrilled; she knew her husband would be able to comfortably attend StoneBridge with her. And this fall, she took the next step by going all-in as a Student Ministries volunteer.
Worship at our Omaha Student Ministries program.
Mary is a high school teacher, and her heart lies in working with students. Although she was already volunteering at First Impressions on Sunday morning, she felt led to working with the high school girls in Student Ministries.
“God laid it on my heart,” she says. “It’s like He was telling me, ‘You spend all day with high school kids. That’s what you’re good at, that’s what you’re called to do. Be with those high schoolers.’”
So far, Mary says the experience has been a blessing. Because she was fairly new to StoneBridge when she started volunteering, Mary didn’t know many of the students personally. She believes this paved the way for a deeper trust between herself and the students.
“The first night, I told them, ‘You can start brand new with me. I don’t know your baggage; it’s a clean slate,’” she says. “Every week, they’re opening up more and more. The relationships we’re already building are amazing.”
Mike Holland - Student Ministries Volunteer
Students and leaders at a Student Ministry Event
A few years ago, Mike Holland came to the Omaha campus for the first time with his child, now in 5th grade. Both were dismayed to learn that his child couldn’t join a kids’ class because the room was too full, and there weren’t enough volunteers to expand the class.
The experience stuck with Mike until he heard pastor Mark Chitwood talking about our need for volunteers to help with StoneBridge students.
“Mark was talking about how he hates seeing kids who can’t go to class because adults can’t volunteer,” Mike says. “So when the All In card came around, I signed up.”
Mike is now hoping to get his wife involved as well. They have a child in 5th grader and a high school student.
Brenda Jones - KidMin Volunteer
Kids learning in a StoneBridge KidMin classroom
To Brenda Jones, StoneBridge is more than just a place to follow her faith: it’s her home. Four years ago, she visited with a close friend; at that time, she didn’t feel that she had a strong relationship with God.
Kids participating in crafts in their StoneBridge KidMin classroom
“I have never been to a building, let alone a church, that I felt comfortable in from the minute I walked up to the door,” Brenda says. “The people at StoneBridge were friendly, genuine, and kind.”
When Brenda first joined the StoneBridge family, her first son, Ben, was an infant; she hoped she could give him a solid spiritual foundation she didn’t have as a child. Now, Ben and his younger brother, Alex, are growing a love for Jesus and his followers.
Brenda had been considering volunteering in the KidMin space for quite a while before she heard the All In message. Until then, fitting volunteering into her schedule hadn’t worked out well. But she felt a deep sense of gratitude for the people who have invested in her and her family over the years, and she decided to make it happen.
“I want to support our children and be that positive voice in a world that has become so negative and hurtful,” Brenda says. “To be honest, wherever I am needed most, that is where I want to be.”
Are you all in?
StoneBridge KidMin and Student Ministries need your help! We’re looking for volunteers to assist with classes of all ages. If you’re interested in learning more or getting involved:
For those who are interested in volunteering but are still on the fence, Mary says, “Don’t be afraid to try it out. It isn’t not a blessing for you to serve, switch up--go to a different volunteering position. Keep trying until you find one you fall in love with.”
There are plenty of opportunities to serve here with the StoneBridge family. We can’t wait to help you find yours!