“Advent is our second home and the people here are our family.” Kim and Brian Babst love Advent and have attended church here for 17 years. Brian grew up attending Advent; he knew what a welcoming place it was and how it would be worth the drive from their home in Rogers.
Kim and Brian met in 1993 and have two daughters, Brooke and Alyssa, who have grown up running around Advent. The girls were in the children’s choir when they were little, attended Sunday School and confirmation. Now they volunteer with Vacation Bible School and Alyssa is on the tech team and often runs the slides during the Wednesday evening church service. Kim and Brian have instilled the value of helping others to their daughters just like their parents did for them.
Kim has volunteered teaching church school, confirmation and helped lead a Bible Study. She currently leads the communion visitors ministry, helps with the sound board and is on the church council. The whole family enjoys attending Advent and sharing their gifts. They are always willing to help when asked. Kim knows it takes a village to run the church and there are lots of opportunities for people to volunteer. “If I’m going to give my time to anyone, I’m going to give it to my church. Volunteering makes me feel good…and God calls us to help one another”
When you walk through our doors you immediately feel our welcoming spirit. Brian shared that Advent is warm and comforting, “It feels good, people make you feel comfortable, they seem sincere…when they ask ‘How are you?’ or ‘Do you need a hug?’ they sincerely mean it. Advent is filled with hardworking, caring people.” Kim and Brian hope that all members of our church make time to give back to Advent.
Our church runs smoothly because of the hard work of our church staff and volunteers.
Luke 6:38 states: Give and it will be given to you. Helping others helps us feel closer to God and gives us a sense of belonging and purpose. It increases our spiritual growth and brings us closer as a community.
Advent thrives because of our volunteers and volunteering opportunities are plentiful here. People help in the sanctuary with technology, ushering, music and communion. Others help before and after the service by greeting and helping in the kitchen. During the week, there are members sewing quilts for the needy, helping with cleaning, keeping our gardens beautiful, assisting in the office, and serving in leadership roles. In our community, Advent volunteers give of their time and treasures to Loaves and Fishes, CROSS, Avenues for Youth, The Giving Gardens and more. We give thanks for all of the church volunteers who keep Advent strong and thriving, and we are thankful for all who reach out to others with a kind word and a hug.
