“Developing strong and caring leaders will change the world one kind deed at a time.” – Sherry Powers
The Life on Life Initiative has inspired thousands of Life Leadership Members to get out into the community and serve. Many have claimed that this mission of helping people attain functional freedom has activated in their hearts an even deeper hunger to want to make a difference in society.
This fall, over 70 Life Leadership Members from Western Michigan joined together to make a difference for two worthy organizations.
“Because of our large numbers, we struggled to find one organization that could handle that much volunteer help. So instead, our group gladly split and assisted two places – Feed America in Comstock Park, Michigan and City on a Hill Ministires in Zeeland, Michigan.” – Lynn Mossner (Life Leadership Member)
Feed America:
Feed America West Michigan Food Bank exists to ensure safe food is available to the hungry in their community. They do this by saving good surplus food from going to landfills. Then they distribute that reclaimed food to pantries, shelters, and other local anti-hunger organizations in 40 West Michigan counties.
Life Leadership Members rolled up their sleeves, put on their hair nets and went to work sorting food. These eager volunteers sorted the entire stock of apples almost immediately, which was planned to take all day. So, Feed America staff rallied together and brought down the bins of prunes! At that point, they questioned why they moved so fast with the apples.
“Needless to say, none of us will ever look at a prune in the same way again!” – Lynn Mossner
City on a Hill Ministries (COAHM)
City on a Hill Ministries was born when three compassionate women gathered for prayer, asking God what could be done to assist local organizations to meet the needs of the community. As they prayed, a dream began to form in their hearts. The Zeeland community was experiencing the country’s tight economy. Many non-profit organizations and ministry budgets and services were being cut while needs were continuing to grow. It was getting harder and harder for many people to get the assistance they desperately needed. COAHM is a facility where many different non-profit organizations and ministries can come together to meet the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of the community. A “ministry center” where combined resources can help spread ministry even further.
Life Leadership Members took advantage of a beautiful fall day by gathering their rakes, leaf blowers, pruning shears and gloves and went to work cleaning up, trimming back and digging out the old landscaping at COAHM. The facility, which was once a community hospital, had extensive grounds to maintain. The outside beauty of the facility is very important for the guests who receive services inside the building.
“The gardens provide healing by helping with relief from symptoms, stress reduction and an improvement in overall sense of well-being and hopefullness.” Clare Marcus and Marni Barnes (COAHM Leaders)
“This was our first Life on Life event. It was amazing helping someone else out without the expectation of getting anything back. This was more than we could have ever hoped for.” – Cathy Kocsis (Life Leadership Member)
“It was really cool having our son with us. It was great seeing the next generation make a difference as well.” – Michelle Bjork (Life Leadership Member)
Check out this highlight video featuring the two projects:
“Life Leadership Members were happy to serve and give back to the community. We will never know the ripple effect from these events, but we do know that our lives were changed for the better from the experience.” Lynn Mossner
Thank you to three Life Leadership organizations – Team Momentum, Freedom Fighters and Dream Team, under the leadership of John and Lynn Mossner – for serving unconditionally in the Life on Life Initiative!
Brandon Perry says
Loved reading how they decided to split up and help 2 places verses 1. Awesome job guys!
David says
What an awesome day of giving back! Great job everyone!
Michelle says
Thanks for such a great example of being hungry to serve & being flexible to serve where needed! Your work clearly met the practical needs of these communities & ministered to the hearts of all involved, whether giving or receiving.
Lloyd Weiler says
Amazing!! May you all be blessed as you have been a blessing!!
John Mossner says
We had a ball serving!
Chris Brady says
Great work guys! Thanks for serving so selflessly!
CB
Robby Palmer says
Wow!! These life leadership people are amazing!
Lynn Mossner says
This was an incredible day! We were all blessed by the experience!