A Family Impact for the Kingdom of God
The Eller family of Silver Spring, MD is an excellent example of the tremendous impact that one family can have for the kingdom of God in just 10 years. Bob and Sharon instilled a culture of serving into their two kids, Joshua and Kathryn, who are now adults. From their very first family trip serving with ReachGlobal Crisis Response in New Orleans in 2014, our staff could tell that this family were servants of the Lord.
Getting the Vision Right
During that first trip, it was evident that God was working in this precious family. Bob started the week all about the work. He wanted to “get ‘er done” and to make sure it was done right. He soon learned that even 13-year-olds can hang drywall and mud a closet, given a little training. This gave Bob time to start forming relationships with the staff, other volunteers and the homeowner. He and Sharon owned a Corian countertop business in Maryland, and shortly after their first trip to Staten Island he began to donate both materials and his labor to install countertops for countless homeowners. They have served on many volunteer teams and eventually as adjunct staff in New Orleans, Staten Island, Columbia, SC and Corpus Christi and Houston, TX.
Reflecting on the kingdom impact of their trips, Bob says, “Every homeowner I have worked with has experienced the love of Christ.” As Sharon looks back on their time with Crisis Response, she also can see how God used them. She told our staff, “All we needed to do was be available…embracing people over projects and seeing the projects still get done.”
They realized it was God doing a mighty work, not only in the homeowners, but Crisis Response staff and their family also. “God softened even the most hardened hearts, sweetly drawing them to Him.” When Bob and Sharon began serving as adjunct staff, they grew to be dear friends of some of the people in the ministry. They have not only served on the field but have partnered financially and prayerfully and have encouraged many on staff with Crisis Response. They don’t take their partnership in the building of Christ’s kingdom lightly. They recognize that kingdom impact is made through our words, but also through our work and attitudes towards (homeowners) and each other. “How can those we serve not be impacted?” And how can their children not be impacted by their service?
Bringing In the Next Generation
Kathryn Eller started asking from that very first visit how soon she could start coming longer with ReachGlobal Crisis Response. She worked with a couple young ladies that were serving as summer staff while in New Orleans and Kathryn wanted what they had. Four years and several trips later, she was able to join us in Corpus Christi as summer staff. She says, “It was a time when serving was selfless, and seeing what others have been through was a stark reminder of how blessed we are.” Her mission was to be a light to the homeowners in a tough time of their lives. Kathryn started as one of the 13-year-olds on that New Orleans trip who learned to hang and mud drywall, and she knew it was time to teach volunteers to do the same. She loved seeing the teams come and share Christ’s love with the homeowners. “It was a reminder of how God uses His flock from near and far to serve His people.”
The Ellers’ son, Josh, went on several trips and helped his dad install kitchens in the homes where we were working. Over the years, our staff got to watch Josh grow in his love for the Lord and for serving His people. In 2019, Josh came on staff for 23 months, serving in Corpus Christi. Josh is an eager learner, and after a short time he was able to take on an entire home as the jobsite supervisor. When Josh puts his mind to something he does it, even if it gets rough. Early in 2020 the site leader and his wife, Rob and Jackie, had to leave Corpus Christi due to a medical emergency. Josh was the only construction person and one of only two staff total left in Corpus, but God was working even then.
Not too many people will say that Covid was a blessing, but to Jackie and Rob it was. Due to Covid, we couldn’t host teams, so Josh was in Corpus working on a project by himself. Having teams would’ve taxed the small staff team too much, but without them Rob was able to stay focused on his wife, knowing Josh was still in Texas and other staff came in for short trips to help out. Josh was steadfast in his desire to serve the Lord and minister to the owner of the house he was working on. That homeowner thanks God to this day for Josh’s steadfast love for the Lord and his dedication to serving.
One of the most profound impacts Josh had while in Texas wasn’t with one of our homeowners or the staff, but with the couple whose house he lived in. This dear couple couldn’t have children and Josh became one of the kids they were never able to have. (They had previously hosted another staff guy who also became like a son.) The relationship continued and last year the couple from Corpus Christi traveled to Maryland to see Josh get married. What a blessing to all! Josh is still on staff on an as needed basis and wants to share the ministry with his bride. He and his wife, Karyn, are going on a short-term trip to the Kentucky site in October.
Following Your Own Path Into Missions
The Eller family is a beautiful picture of what the kingdom of God is all about- selfless love, servant hearts and a desire to see the kingdom grow. They know that God is in control and that He will orchestrate their paths. They have followed their calls, each one taking their own path to make an impact for the kingdom of God by serving in different ways and for different seasons.
What would it look like for you and your family to serve God wholeheartedly in the mission fields created by crises? Could you lead a team to serve with ReachGlobal Crisis Response, or join us for a week as adjunct staff? We also have summer staff opportunities for 17-24 year-olds, and flexible staff options serving short-term or long-term (more than 2 years) on response sites or working remotely. Construction is a primary access ministry in the communities where we serve, but we also need more staff to help with hosting teams, making meals, leading Bible studies, and more. Like Sharon said, you just have to be available for God to use.
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