Get Involved

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: ‘They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7-9

At OVBC we believe that giving back to others the gift we have given is one of the highest ways in which we exemplify Christ in our daily walk. Christ in his time said to his apostles “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few”, referring to the work of spreading the Gospel. In almost 2000 years, nothing has changed. In truth, the need is even greater today for those who would help do God’s work here on earth.

Take a moment and look through the following information if you want to learn more about getting involved. If you on the other hand are ready to jump in and lend a help hand at OVBC with any gift or service you might have, then click HERE!

The message of the Gospel confuses a lot of people, including the Apostles and the people who walked with Jesus. They wanted a King, a Messiah, a ruler. Instead, their Messiah was beaten, humiliated and nailed to a cross. But it is in that sacrifice that we learn the truth of what being a righteous King is. Christ did not come to save a certain people for a little while from the trouble they were going through; He came as His Father’s servant. Willing to lead a perfect life, serving others and through His sacrifice, securing freedom and life for EVERYONE for ALL time if they are willing to turn their lives over to Him.

Indeed we see one of Christ’s greatest examples of this humble serving attitude when before the Last Supper he washed the feet of his disciples and said’  “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

And again, when two of Christ’s apostles came asked for the right to rule and sit beside him when he became King, they were taken aback when Jesus responded; “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”.

“But I’m not…” are usually the first words that pop into someone’s mind whenever the thought of doing something they have never done or when being challenged to give up something precious to them comes up.

Generally people have three objections when the idea of getting involved arises:

  1. I don’t feel worthy or capable.
  2. I am afraid what other might think.
  3. I just don’t have time.

Let’s deal with the last one first; I don’t have time. Strange isn’t it in this society where we have all these time-saving gadgets and technologies that make communicating faster and more efficient than ever before, we seem to have less time than ever? And it’s true. In our effort to shift labor, routines and rituals onto technology, devices and apps, we have freed up a lot of time that used to be spent in work. The problem is that nature loves a vacuum and that space we created had to get filled up with something. Social networking, media consumption, entertainment, virtual living. There are a million more things demanding your attention then there were in days of your grandfather and grandmother. But time is an idol maker and we decide which idols we are going to worship by how we spend our time (and money). Don’t be shocked or offended. We’re not saying you have a golden calf statue or an altar to Athena in your home. Idols can be anything we place in more importance than God. Take a moment and consider where you spend most of your time and how much of that time is spent in simply being distracted by the newest YouTube video, the trending tweet, the last check-in of your friends on Facebook. When we get honest with ourselves, we often find that it is not that we don’t have time, it’s that our desires for pleasing ourselves often ranks much higher than pleasing God.

The other two reasons, well they are easy. Are you afraid of what others might think? What is more important to you, what God thinks or what your neighbor thinks? The Bible warns us about putting our faith in what others think when it says, “For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” and “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” And finally, “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” If you are someone who has given their life to Christ, surely it is the heart of God that you should desire to please and not the hearts of others. Strangely enough, when we work to please God, it is often in the service and the delight of those in his Kingdom who are often neglected.

The last bit about not felling worthy; well frankly, you’re not. Let’s just give up that idea right up front. Isn’t being unworthy the whole basis of the Gospel message? Isn’t our unworthiness why God sent His Son to die on a cross for us? Isn’t our unworthiness and God’s desire to fix that why Christ submitted to the cross? Of our own flesh we are nothing, but in God…well let’s let God speak for himself, “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” and “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” So yeah, you may not be a theologian and feel you cannot witness; trust us, sharing your own story generally impacts a heart much more than the amount of Scripture you have memorized. You have never worked a soup kitchen, or helped an elderly person get their house cleaned up, or worked with a bunch of crazy 1st graders? So what, it’s not about you, it’s about God. Not only will He give you the strength, the words and the ability, but with us here at OVBC, we will always be walking right beside you. We know the path. Walk it a couple of times and the “But I’m not..” will become just a another childish thing you put on a shelf, never to need again.

At OVBC we have many ways for you to “Get Involved”. From becoming part of our church family, to donating time or money to any of our Care Ministries or Mission partners, to simply helping us in the small day-to-day tasks like keeping up the church, helping make coffee for our Sunday Services or letting others know about OVBC, you are stepping up to help us Reach Up, Reach In and Reach Out.

The main thing is to just step in and to do so with a glad heart or as a cheerful giver. Be mindful of the commitment you make. That’s why we suggest starting small and growing from there.  As the apostle Peter said, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

We look forward to helping you share your gifts and we are grateful that you choose to do with us here at OVBC.

GETTING INVOLVED AT A GLANCE

There are many way in which you can be God’s hands at work at OVBC.

  • Volunteering Time
  • Donating Money or Goods
  • Participating in our Care Ministries
  • Helping out around the church
  • Being part of our Hospitality efforts
  • Helping the community get connected with OVBC
  • Sharing the Gospel with others

Don’t think that you do not have a wonderful gift that God can use at OVBC, you do!

Let us help you find and grow it.

Call (714) 637-3250 or email: info@orangevilla.org
or simply fill out the form on this page.

We can’t wait to see what God has in mind for you.

I want to “Get Involved”

Thanks for your interest in getting plugged in here at OVBC, simply fill out the form below and we will get back to you right away to discuss your stepping in to lend a helping hand.