9 Years Later... - For Columbia

In 2015, a small group of Christians got together and began dreaming big.

What would it look like if Columbia’s Christian churches served alongside each other, despite our denominational differences and varied priorities?

What if, instead, we as believers came together as the Church, serving Columbia side by side? That first year, over 500 volunteers from 11 Columbia-area churches completed landscaping, painting, and construction projects. ForColumbia was born.

On April 29th, in less than three weeks, 45 churches are continuing the mission of ForColumbia in its ninth year by serving at 100+ serving sites. Volunteers are rolling in – probably as you read this! – and you may be wondering if we really need another person (namely, you) to sign up.

The short answer is…YES!

“Why are we still serving?”

Because thousands of people in Columbia have built relationships with homeowners, non-profit organizations, and City of Columbia employees. Because we look forward to seeing our friends and neighbors in a few weeks. Because they look forward to seeing us, too…and they need us.

Local organizations such as Columbia Housing Authority, Granny’s House, and Love Columbia are so appreciative of large numbers of volunteers being able to complete much-needed upkeep projects in April each year.

Single-family homes in the First Ward are vital to our community! Without us being able to work in that area, those homes and their owners miss out on basic home improvement projects.

Columbia Public Schools invests heavily in our kids day after day after day. On April 29th, we’ll get a chance to serve them in some practical and effective ways.

We can’t wait. We need you.

“But I’m just one person.”

Did you know that the ForColumbia Exec Team counts each and every volunteer as invaluable? Anybody willing to give up a Saturday to love and serve our community is much more than that.

Each person counts. You count! You are more than a number. You’re more than a set of hands and feet. You are a smiling face, a willing heart, and a neighbor. Our city needs you, not just for what you do, but for who you are.

This is who Jesus is to us. We love Him because of who He is, not for what He does for us. ForColumbia gives us the opportunity to give back to our neighbors in the same way.

You count. You matter. We need you.

“My church already serves in our community.”

You’re right; your church and my church do a fantastic job of seeking out needs in and around Columbia and meeting those needs. ForColumbia is a great way for your church and my church to come together, to serve together, to worship God together.

In today’s culture, there’s a lot of “I” and “my” going on. However, on April 29th, “we” are looking forward to putting ourselves and our needs aside for one day and showing Columbia that we want to serve alongside each other, side by side. We need you!

Do you have those people in your life that you may not see every day, maybe not even every month or every few months? But when you do, you pick up right where you left off? That is exactly what happens annually through ForColumbia. We get to see people that we may only see once or twice a year.

However, the thing we hold in common is what we’re doing together…serving our city. Building relationships. Worshiping God by being the hands and feet of Jesus. Join us on April 29th. We need you.