As disciples of Jesus, we are all called to serve. We took an opportunity to talk with Sue Yearke, who volunteers on our King's World team about how service is vital to making her more like Jesus. Here was that conversation:

In what way do you currently serve and how long have you been serving in that capacity?

I have been serving in King’s World almost 14 years. I started serving in the 3-year-old room and then I moved to the Kindergarten room I believe a year later. I currently serve in the Kindergarten room. I love it!!

How did you get plugged into service?

When The Chapel moved from North Forest to CrossPoint I believe an announcement was made and maybe it was in a bulletin that they were looking for King’s World volunteers. I didn’t even think about it. I just did it. I went and filled out an application, I believe I spoke with Allison Granger and I started serving.

How has serving impacted your walk with Christ?

This largely impacted my walk with Christ. It showed me how much God loves me and that He really wants us to have the desires of our heart if it glorifies Him. My hopes and dreams for my life were crushed only to find out God was preparing me for His gift for me. It was not what I pictured for my life but His gift and view for my life was so much better and richer.

My hopes and dreams for my life were to be a Kindergarten teacher and to have 5 children of my own. I went to college to become an elementary school teacher. That did not work out. That broke my heart. Then I got married and couldn’t wait to start a family, unfortunately that didn’t work out, either. I mourned for years. I cried on Mother's Day every year knowing I was not going to be a mom. I loved children so much; I couldn’t understand why children could not be a part of my life. I prayed to God for both and neither of my dreams were granted. Then the opening in King’s World came up. I immediately applied. I was able to get my foot in the door in the 3-year-old room and about a year or so later I was able to have my very own Kindergarten room. God gave me the desires of my heart but in a different form. He gave me the Kindergarten class I have always wanted, and He gave me more children to love and teach about our precious Lord and Savior. Instead of teaching Kindergarten in a school and teaching them basic subjects, God gave me a great Kindergarten class where the subject every week is about God and His love for us.

I asked God for 5 children of my own and God gave a limitless amount of children. Talk about a blessing. It is absolutely not how I envisioned my life, but I know in my heart that I have been blessed a million times over. How could I ever be sad about not having had my own children when God blessed me with an infinite number of children? It doesn’t get any better than that.

How has serving changed how you see the Church, your role in the church, and how that relates to what God is calling each and every one of us to?

I used to view the church as just a building to go to and worship. Since I started serving my whole view has changed. The people are the Church and we are one body. Everyone has their own special God-given gifts. If we all use our gifts to glorify God, the body is in beautifully working order and we can reach every man, woman, and child. If we do not realize our God-given gifts or we don’t use our God-given gifts, then the body weakens. God did not put us on this earth not to use the precious gifts He has blessed us with to glorify Him. I also realized one position in the church isn’t any more important than another. No matter what position you hold, as long as we are glorifying God, we are on the right path. We can soar so beautifully, so very high, so very long, and so very deep for Christ.

My role as a Kindergarten teacher is my calling from God. My role in the Church is to glorify God by teaching my sweet Kindergarteners. My heart flutters so fast knowing this is the volunteer position God wants me in.

What would you say to the person who is on the fence about getting plugged in?

I would say if you have the passion for _________[blank], then jump in with both feet. God will be right there to catch you. God will be walking right beside you, giving you the strength and the wisdom you need to do what He wants you to do.

I would then open my Bible to John 12:26 and read it to them (if I had my Bible with me) or give it to them by memory: “Whoever serves me must follow me and where I am, my servant also will be. My father will honor the one who serves me.”

I have to say, there is nothing better than serving the Lord. He places you exactly where you should be in His time. It’s amazing that He loves us that much.