One of the greatest gifts we can offer another person is our presence.
The people who have shown up in my life through church shaped my faith, my call to ministry, the way I read scripture, and my deep love for the church. Their generosity cannot be counted, but it is surely visible.
When we think about generosity, we often think about money—and financial generosity certainly matters. But generosity is also what comes from our calendars, our attention, and our willingness to say, “I’m here.”
Every Sunday and Wednesday, children, students, and families walk through the doors of Second Baptist carrying joys, questions, fears, and hopes. They are looking for people who know their names, remember their stories, and reflect Christ’s love back to them.
That kind of ministry happens because ordinary people choose to show up, say yes, and invest their time, talent, and faith in the lives of children and youth.
Serving is not simply meeting a need; it is one of the ways God forms us. Every act of service stretches our compassion, teaches patience, and reminds us that faith is something we practice.
Think about someone who invested in your own faith—a Sunday school teacher, youth leader, choir director, or adult who consistently noticed you. You may not remember every lesson, but you likely remember feeling safe, seen, valued, and loved.
Our children and youth ministries are growing, and that momentum needs faithful presence to continue. Every person’s presence is a gift—a moment to put faith into action.
As we prepare for another season of ministry, I hope you’ll prayerfully consider where God may be inviting you to serve—not out of guilt, and not simply because more volunteers are needed, but because discipleship moves us toward generosity. One of the most generous things we can give is ourselves.
Someone's faith story may be shaped simply because you decided to show up.