Service Missionaries Make A Difference in D/FW

Around the world and across the metroplex, missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are easily recognized: clean-shaved young men in white shirts and ties, often on bicycles, or smartly dressed young women, who go about in pairs sharing their faith and giving service. They serve voluntarily, putting aside school, work, and dating, to accept a mission call to an assigned location somewhere in the world for 18-24 months, all at their own expense.

Just over three years ago, the Church introduced an expanded mission opportunity for young adults who have the same desire to serve the Lord and their fellowman but whose health or other circumstances are best suited to serve while living at home. These young men and women are called as service missionaries, with the same commitment to set aside the things of the world and dedicate themselves for 1½ -2 years serving others as Jesus Christ would. They wear the familiar missionary name badge, but instead of teaching others about their beliefs, they demonstrate their willingness to follow the Savior by volunteering at local charities to help the less fortunate, usually wearing a t-shirt and jeans instead of a white shirt and a tie.

Across North Texas, service missionaries have grown from just a handful two years ago to more than forty who currently volunteer in twenty-five local charities. In the Fort Worth area, fifteen service missionaries spend each week serving in various food pantries, homeless shelters, and charities assisting children in crisis and disabled adults across Tarrant, Denton, and Parker Counties.

From Keller, Elder Doug and Sister Michelle Clark oversee the missionaries and coordinate their activities across the different charities. The Clarks previously led a mission in Liberia, West Africa, and now welcome this opportunity to help young men and women from this area find joy in service. They love partnering with the many local charities to give a helping hand to the less fortunate in this area.

Elders Anthony Cooper and Benjamin Hughes (North Richland Hills) and Elder Royce Leeper (Watauga) serve at Mission Central in Hurst, organizing and distributing canned goods, fresh produce, and other essentials for needy families in that area. Elder Caleb Harvie (North Richland Hills), who serves with Elder Ean Huff (Saginaw) at Community Link in Saginaw, and with Elder Michael Craft (Keller) at the GRACE Donation Station in Grapevine, says he loves seeing how service missionaries brighten others’ day as they help them through difficult times. He added, “I really enjoy being a service missionary, and I can see that this was totally God’s plan for me.” Elder Judson Bauman (Justin), who volunteers at the Northwest Education Foundation with Sister Ashton Adkison (Keller) and Elder Samuel Larson (Roanoke) helping teachers and underprivileged children, said, “I just feel like my purpose in life is to serve, and I get to focus on what I love most almost every day; I could not be happier!”

The leaders of those charities feel that joy. Katie Johnston (pictured above), the volunteer coordinator at Community Storehouse in Fort Worth, agrees:

“I cannot say enough wonderful things about the service missionaries that we have been fortunate enough to work with. Their drive and dedication to serving the Lord shine through their willingness to serve our organization. They have not only assisted us in volunteer tasks like working in the donation and nutrition center, but they have become friends to the staff that they work with, have become mentors to the children they tutor, and a friendly face to the families that come in for services. We are very grateful for their support and hard work and hope that our partnership is one that is blessed to continue for a long time.”

Featured Photo: Elder and Sister Clark with the Fort Worth Service Missionaries at a service project