King’s Community Offers Practical Compassion in Fourth Annual Day of Service
On Saturday, January 13, 2018, The King’s College community served fellow New Yorkers and advocated for justice worldwide during the Fourth Annual Day of Service.
On Saturday, January 13, 2018, The King’s College community served fellow New Yorkers and advocated for justice worldwide during the Fourth Annual Day of Service. This year, a total of 164 volunteers—students, faculty, staff, and alumni—collaborated with New York Gospel Ministries, The Bowery Mission, and International Justice Mission.
From 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 14 King’s volunteers rallied support to urge members of Congress to fully fund the International Justice Mission’s End Modern Slavery Initiative. In December 2016, Congress passed legislation that authorized U.S. spending to combat modern slavery, including bonded labor and commercial sexual exploitation. For the International Justice Mission’s efforts against slavery to succeed, Congress must still decide to appropriate the necessary funds. The King’s group was one of the first to collect signatures for International Justice Mission’s new petition urging elected officials to fully fund the initiative.
Teams from King’s volunteered at New York Gospel Ministries and The Bowery Mission in two-to-three-hour shifts from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Founded in 1879, The Bowery Mission provides compassionate care and opportunities for life transformation to New York City’s homeless and hungry. At the Bowery, 72 King’s volunteers supported the regular kitchen staff by mopping floors, sorting the pantry, preparing food, and serving meals.
During her shift at the Bowery, Aizess Jones (MCA ’19) helped to deep-clean a food storage space. “The night before the Day of Service, I debated whether to participate for the first time or stay home and carve a dent in my mountain of homework,” Jones said. “Then I realized that this was one of those moments where I needed to decide whether I would live for self or live for Christ by serving others. Of course, living for Christ is always the best and most rewarding choice.”
New York Gospel Ministries (NYGM) is a mission effort that includes urban missions, Manor Community Church, and the Covenant Mercy Mission food pantry. At NYGM, 90 volunteers assisted in distributing food, painting, and organizing the storage space. NYGM’s senior director Pastor Bill Jones said, “I want to thank all of you again for the tremendous help the students were today. You have an awesome group. So much was accomplished and everyone had a tremendous attitude and an eagerness to help.”
City Engagement coordinator Juliarose Childs (Business ’19) said, “In NYC we are surrounded by need, and instead of allowing ourselves to grow callous, I hope that the Day of Service reminds us that we don’t have to wait to be kind. By starting our year as a community, devoting one day to practically loving those around us, the King’s Day of Service reminds us that every day should be a day of service.”