Comments

I choose to get involved at HCC as the Lord has put that desire in my heart to serve people. I am so blessed every time I serve. I love meeting the people who come for food and clothing, praying with them and sharing the love of Jesus. They are always so grateful and say they hope they can give back some day. It is exciting to see how God has met the needs of the center. When one item is getting low He always sends someone to fill it. It is all for His glory.

Posted By Connie Pettes, Weekly Volunteer of HCC   |   December 28, 2011, 8:06 AM

The Compassion Center, where oh where do I start?

How about the beginning? I discovered long ago the best way to take your mind off your problems is to help someone else. As a result, I volunteered to serve at the Compassion Center from its inception. The first day I served I worked with Mrs. Gaye Swaback, the mother of the late Mitchell Swaback; the charity that conceived the Compassion Center.

After spending time with her I understood the name of the Center. This family’s love for God and His people is evident in everything they do.

Life can sometimes be quite a challenge and it is not always easy to ask for help regardless how much you need it. The Swaback's have a way of making it not only ok to receive help; the genuine love they share restores your hope that it will be all right. The very design on the Center is unique; unlike Food Pantry's the Compassion Center allows you to decide what you want. This allows the client something that has been missing from their lives; a choice. When things start going wrong choice is the first thing that evaporates If you can decide what you want to eat just maybe your life is not as out of control as you thought.

To make it an even better once you fill the sturdy bag they give you with food, paper goods etc.; you can pick from the boutique section of the center and choose a couple of items of clothes or shoes. There are even more bonuses: they pray for you, your family members can shop at the boutique and you can come back in a month and do it all over again. In case that wasn't enough, all this is done in love by people that actually take the time to care. By the time you are finished being serviced at the Harvest Compassion Center: you have hope again, you are not ashamed and you know God loves you and cares about you. Trust me I know because, I am not only a volunteer, but a client. I know God loves and cares for me because the Compassion Center.

Yeah, the Compassion Center is the perfect name!

Posted By Janis Taylor   |   December 28, 2011, 8:08 AM

Since Jesus set the standard for serving others, what a great privilege we have to follow His example by volunteering at Harvest’s Compassion Center!

As a volunteer, I’ve been given the opportunity to see hopelessness replaced with hope as I’ve witnessed God’s provision for countless families up close and personal! There are smiles and there are tears and there is such gratitude. Commit yourself to serving once and you will be the one enlisting others to share your experience of witnessing God’s love and grace in action in the lives of so many. I really don’t know who is more blessed, those being served or those serving!

Posted By Marsha Volkema   |   December 29, 2011, 8:26 AM

Serving at the HCC means so much. It is fuel for the soul and every time we serve, we leave there with a zest for life kindled anew!

The HCC is a fantastic tool to reach some of the struggling folks in the local area. Most of these are people with whom our paths would probably have never crossed. Having been open since July, the HCC is beginning to see more and more return guests, which allows us the opportunity to build a relationship with them. It is such a delight to recognize a face when they walk through the doors and be able to call them by name, as their face lights up! We continue to pray over them and work to find solutions to their long-term problems and hardships through discussion and prayer. Each guest is invited to attend Harvest Bible Chapel North Phoenix, where we know they would be welcomed with open arms.

Many times, tears are shed. Guests come in very broken and in need of so much help. They are completely blown away that we would care enough about them that we are friendly, loving and provide such quality food and personal items. What a platform to show them the love of Jesus. We approach His throne, lifting up the very needs of these guests and some are able to see Jesus in a way they never have before...in a new, more personal way.

We absolutely count it a privilege to have the opportunity to serve at the HCC!

Blessings,

Seth & Lori Kleeberger

Posted By Seth & Lori Kleeberger   |   December 30, 2011, 6:19 AM