ServeFest is Saturday, April 28th

A day when churches partner together to serve their communities.

Hundreds of churches providing thousands of volunteers from the Baltimore area will team up to participate in a one-day, hands-on serving event taking place on Saturday, April 28th in various location across the State aiming to show kindness to others and build the community with the hope of increasing levels of community involvement.

ServeFest includes various types of projects in a variety of locations including public schools, clean-up projects, park clean-up projects, home and facility repairs, volunteering at facilities assisting disabled individuals and seniors, serving non-profit organizations, taking part in care giving opportunities and participating in prayer teams. There will be both skilled and unskilled volunteer opportunities available that day. Projects are by a volunteer project manager in conjunction with the organization or people being served.

ServeFest’s History

ServeFest is the result of a convergence of many different movements of God among His Church in this region. Movements like Building Bridges from Grace Community Church in Howard County and Servefest a monthly outreach coordinated by Abundant Life in Anne Arundel County. One of those movements began with Mountain Christian Church in 2004 as an all-church, day of service to the community-in neighborhoods, schools, non-profit agencies, government organizations, and homes. It was the church trying to be a blessing to the community and offer themselves as servants through simple, but meaningful projects. It became clear that ServeFest did not belong to any one church and was a vehicle for bringing churches together. In 2007, ServeFest engaged 3 churches. The next year there were 17 churches. The following year 41 churches partnered together, and for the first time ServeFest extended beyond Harford County to Baltimore City and Baltimore County. Then in 2010, ServeFest truly became “regional” due in large part to the connection with Partners for Transformation. Its influence extended throughout 4 counties and the City, bringing together over 80 churches.

The story of ServeFest begins with churches working together, however, it is the thousands of volunteers that give it a heartbeat of compassion demonstrating Living Proof Of A Loving God!

FAQs

What is the goal of Servefest?

The goal of ServeFest is to motivate the Church to embrace a serving lifestyle by moving the Church “beyond the walls” to serve, and make a difference in their community.

When is Servefest?

Saturday, April 28th 2012 – Rain or Shine

Who is ServeFest for?

Churches, small groups, student groups, who volunteer to serve their community as a tangible expression of the Love of Christ. (Matthew 5:16)

What makes Servefest successful?

Churches participate by enlisting volunteers, coordinating specific projects and supplying the materials necessary to get the job done. Each church establishes a Volunteer Coordinator to recruit their members to become ServeFest volunteers. Churches can also assign one or more Project Managers who: 1) Design projects for their church; or 2) Facilitate partnerships with other churches to develop multi-church project(s); or 3) Join a City/County Melting Pot project. Great project leadership, enthusiastic interaction with those being served, and volunteers motivated by the love of Christ are the heartbeat of ServeFest.

Can children participate in ServeFest?

Yes, with conditions. ServeFest highly encourage families to serve together. Because each project is different, when listed on the website, the projects will tell you which projects are safe and family friendly including the requirements for children participation.

What time does ServeFest begin?

Project times vary. Please check with the Project Manager or Volunteer Coordinator for your project’s times and location.

What should we plan to bring with us?

A project may require you to bring tools, gloves, safety equipment, etc.. but for each project we ask all volunteers to check with their Project Manager for specific needs and instructions. Please bring adequate amounts of water.

Why do volunteers all wear the same t-shirt?

Reason #1 – Safety and security. On the project sites, volunteers can be spread out doing various tasks. As the activity level grows, others from surrounding neighborhoods and people from the organizations being served will sometimes join in the work. It is important for the leaders to know who is on the ServeFest team, so volunteers can be managed well and accounted for on each of the project sites.

Reason #2 – It is a testimony of unity. Having the same “uniform” (the identifying feature of the same t-shirt), creates the visual testimony to volunteers and those observing each job site that the Church is serving as One across the region, as Jesus prayed in John 17.

What is a Melting Pot Project?

Melting Pots are large projects that require many churches and organizations coming together in force at one or adjacent sites. This is the opportunity for the Body Of Christ to be together and demonstrate unity. These projects will be lead by a Melting Pot Project Manager and Melting Pot Volunteer Coordinator and promoted region wide allowing people to serve in each other’s counties or the city of Baltimore as a demonstration of unity.

Click Here to download a printable version of SF FAQs

What is the common understanding of “churches”?

There are thousands of churches in the Metro Maryland Region. As many churches there are just as many different expressions and types of churches. ServeFest believes that is not by mistake. We celebrate the diversity and have collectively found a common doctrinal ground to serve from. It is called “The Simple Gospel”. We ask that each church and group that desires to participate in ServeFest read and serve from the same basis.

Click Here to download a printable version of SF The Simple Gospel