THE CHURCH
Vox Church in Branford, Connecticut
THE CHALLENGE
Many nonprofits and ministries need sustained, consistent help.
ONE BIG IDEA
Partner with organizations to provide ongoing outreach assistance.
At Vox Church in Branford, Connecticut, discipleship is intentional and includes a consistent commitment to service. Referring to itself as one church with 12 locations, Vox’s goal is “to move church beyond the four walls of a building into the community,” relates Director of Outreach Bru Hickey.
This is accomplished through Impact Groups, which provide consistent serving opportunities to work alongside nonprofit partners weekly, monthly or at varied times to meet tangible needs.
“Each Impact Group has identified an opportunity to serve within the community where they are located,” Hickey explains.
These opportunities could range from hosting local AA groups, doing landscaping, and mentoring teens, to supporting local organized sports outreaches, serving a meal at a soup kitchen, or working with local domestic abuse services. The hope is that each church location will eventually have at least one Impact Group.
“The point,” Hickey underscores, “is to provide consistent, ongoing engagement. These are not one-off events. It’s a consistent serving opportunity where we get to be the hands and feet of Jesus with our local partners in the community.”
In many instances, Vox Impact Groups partner with a local group or nonprofit to provide volunteers, supplies and other hands-on support. One Impact Group works with a church in Hartford, Connecticut, called Street Church.
“They have church on the steps of city hall each Saturday,” Hickey says. Once a month, the Impact Group from Vox Church hands out sandwiches as well as helps with prayer and worship at Street Church.
Vox has created a partnership process manual and provides regular training for leaders. Before committing to a partnership, Vox will send a trained leader to “try on” the group to be helped.
“We want to make sure we can provide the right help needed and steward each opportunity well,” explains Hickey.
The value of Impact Groups is seen in the help provided into the community, and also in the lives of those serving. According to Sheila Fernandez, a member of Vox, “Serving has allowed me to share the love of Christ and build meaningful relationships within the community. It’s been a transformative experience that has deepened my connection to God and those around me.”