Hello girls!

It’s winter in California and I’m huddled on my sofa with Ella our cat curled up beside me – it’s cold today.  What I would give for a cup of hot Milo right now!  (...haven't been able to find it here.)  As I sit, I’m thinking about my journey and how I have come to be where I am today.

I recently shared with our church some of my journey as a volunteer serving in God’s kingdom and how this has shaped my life.  So grab a coffee or a Milo – if you should be so lucky – and read on…

I grew up in a home with parents who were committed to serving wherever they were needed within the life of the church.  My three sisters and I were often the first to arrive at church and the last to leave.  I realised, while putting this article together, that I’ve been pretty consistently serving for nearly 25 years.

I believe that when I put my hand up to serve all those years ago, two potentially life-changing processes were set in motion.

Firstly, I deliberately began the journey of allowing God to mould me and craft me.

Secondly, the gifts He has entrusted to me and the dreams He has placed within my heart, the dreams I’ve had since I was a little girl, found a place where they could be uncovered, grow and be outworked, causing my life to flourish both inside and outside the walls of the church.

We came to Riverview Church eight years ago and we are still having the ride of our lives!

You see, one of the coolest things about God is that He has made each one of us with specific gifts and abilities.  Some people know exactly where they fit in church life.  Others have a bit of an inkling and some have no idea at all, and that’s okay!  I know this: If you will put up your hand and have a go then you will eventually find your place.  A place where you can serve, make a difference and be fulfilled.

As we serve we embark on a journey – a journey of discovering what we were made for.

I have been challenged and offended at times, stretched and pushed beyond what I thought were my limits, both emotionally and physically.  But I continued to serve and refused to abdicate.  Instead I leaned into those who were willing to journey alongside me and champion me and believe in me, and my life is now all the richer for it.  I have met amazing people and made life-long friends.  If you’re single, you might even meet your life partner – it has happened!

Today Mark and I get to serve alongside Wes and Ellie Beavis, the lead pastors in Riverview’s fourth campus, situated in Orange County, California.  But even more amazing, we partner with thousands of others for the greatest cause in history and to me that is the biggest privilege of all.

So I encourage and challenge you to get involved wherever you are, and find a place to serve.  Put your gifts to work for God and for others and He will lead you on the journey of a lifetime.


Lots of luv

Ali xx