Serve the church
Stories of Service
The incredible people of Southcrest make this community what it is. Read how these members are helping the life and good work of Jesus come alive through their kindness, generosity, and acts of service.
Special needs Volunteers
Evan and Haley McElwain
Evan and Haley lead and teach the adult special needs class every Sunday and help fill in for the youth special needs class when needed. They also helped with some respite events for the classes.
“Our favorite part about leading this class is getting to know these members and their families. It is a joy knowing that these families get the chance to go to their own small group or worship service while their child/family member has their own fun class to attend and learn about Jesus!”
Soon after they joined Southcrest in 2016, their hearts led them to investigate a Special Needs’ Ministry, but there was none at the time.
“I (Evan) helped with Special Olympics throughout high school and was involved with those with special needs at the church where I grew up. My wife, Haley, has experience caring for a cousin with special needs, which led her to study psychology and pursue a master’s in counseling. We are both deeply passionate about this special population.”
A couple of months after their initial inquiry, they responded to an article in the church bulletin announcing a volunteer meeting for the new Special Needs Ministry.
“We met Sharla Tyson, who has a special place in her heart for this ministry. We have loved getting to work with her and the other volunteers. God has taught us so much through leading this class, and we are incredibly grateful for our group of people.”
They have a Shih Tzu, Pudge, who has been a Southcrest attendee during the quarantine. Evan works for Bayer Crop Science, and Haley works for Early Childhood Intervention. They love Southcrest for how welcoming and friendly everyone is and enjoy the sermons.
“We found a great small group and are so grateful for a place where we have grown as a couple and felt supported.
“We are always needing volunteers to help with these classes and want to continue to get the word out about this ministry at Southcrest. We love getting new members, and anyone is welcome!”
Thank you, Evan and Haley, for loving and serving our special adult friends and their families. We appreciate you!
“Our favorite part about leading this class is getting to know these members and their families. It is a joy knowing that these families get the chance to go to their own small group or worship service while their child/family member has their own fun class to attend and learn about Jesus!”
Soon after they joined Southcrest in 2016, their hearts led them to investigate a Special Needs’ Ministry, but there was none at the time.
“I (Evan) helped with Special Olympics throughout high school and was involved with those with special needs at the church where I grew up. My wife, Haley, has experience caring for a cousin with special needs, which led her to study psychology and pursue a master’s in counseling. We are both deeply passionate about this special population.”
A couple of months after their initial inquiry, they responded to an article in the church bulletin announcing a volunteer meeting for the new Special Needs Ministry.
“We met Sharla Tyson, who has a special place in her heart for this ministry. We have loved getting to work with her and the other volunteers. God has taught us so much through leading this class, and we are incredibly grateful for our group of people.”
They have a Shih Tzu, Pudge, who has been a Southcrest attendee during the quarantine. Evan works for Bayer Crop Science, and Haley works for Early Childhood Intervention. They love Southcrest for how welcoming and friendly everyone is and enjoy the sermons.
“We found a great small group and are so grateful for a place where we have grown as a couple and felt supported.
“We are always needing volunteers to help with these classes and want to continue to get the word out about this ministry at Southcrest. We love getting new members, and anyone is welcome!”
Thank you, Evan and Haley, for loving and serving our special adult friends and their families. We appreciate you!
Volunteer
Amanda Carter
This is Amanda Carter!
“I love to work with children, especially those with special needs. I felt called to work with this group. They are near and dear to my heart. Special needs ministry is not for everyone; anyone who works in this ministry is called to be there.”
Amanda volunteers in the school-aged area on Sunday mornings working with children with special needs and periodically helps with respite care for the special needs’ ministry on Friday nights. She and her husband have also served as AWANA commanders and have attended summer church camp with the younger school aged kids.
“I view this as an opportunity to teach both children and adults that some people are different from us, and they are special in their own way and want to be accepted like everyone else. I want to show children Jesus' love for them and show my own children that it is important to serve in the church and to serve others.
“My favorite part of volunteering is building a relationship with the children. I love to see their faces light up, excited and ready to learn about God, Jesus, and the Bible.”
Amanda and her husband, Corey, have attended Southcrest since 2012. They enjoy Bro. David's sermons and the relationships they have developed here–socializing and fellowshipping with others,including their LIFE Group. Their two kids, Colton (9) and Candace (5) love Big Gig, AWANA, and Crest Care.Amanda works full time as a Speech-Language Pathologist at the Lubbock State Supported Living Center.
Thank you, Amanda, for serving our children and church through your dedication and love for the most special among us! We appreciate you.
“I love to work with children, especially those with special needs. I felt called to work with this group. They are near and dear to my heart. Special needs ministry is not for everyone; anyone who works in this ministry is called to be there.”
Amanda volunteers in the school-aged area on Sunday mornings working with children with special needs and periodically helps with respite care for the special needs’ ministry on Friday nights. She and her husband have also served as AWANA commanders and have attended summer church camp with the younger school aged kids.
“I view this as an opportunity to teach both children and adults that some people are different from us, and they are special in their own way and want to be accepted like everyone else. I want to show children Jesus' love for them and show my own children that it is important to serve in the church and to serve others.
“My favorite part of volunteering is building a relationship with the children. I love to see their faces light up, excited and ready to learn about God, Jesus, and the Bible.”
Amanda and her husband, Corey, have attended Southcrest since 2012. They enjoy Bro. David's sermons and the relationships they have developed here–socializing and fellowshipping with others,including their LIFE Group. Their two kids, Colton (9) and Candace (5) love Big Gig, AWANA, and Crest Care.Amanda works full time as a Speech-Language Pathologist at the Lubbock State Supported Living Center.
Thank you, Amanda, for serving our children and church through your dedication and love for the most special among us! We appreciate you.
Mother/Daughter volunteering duo
Jerie Flowers & Deborah St. Clair
Mom and daughter duo, Jerie Flowers and Deborah St.Clair, are a volunteering powerhouse around Southcrest and within the Lubbock community. Deborah and her husband, Johnny, became members of Southcrest in 2013. Jerie moved to Lubbock in 2018 to be closer to her family. These women hit the ground running and have been spurring one another to serve in a variety of ways over the last few years.
“My volunteering gives a purpose to my life. I’ve been blessed to live this long, in such good health, and I think that I have a reason to be here by volunteering.” Jerie
In the greater Lubbock community, they serve weekly meals at Lubbock Impact and rock babies who are in the hospital (after having been taken by the Department of Family and Protective Services.) They also are serving/have served as CASA workers (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for children. When the pandemic hit, they saw an advertisement asking for Meals on Wheels drivers and signed up right away!
Together at Southcrest, they volunteer with Operation Christmas Child Collection Center, the Buckner Shoe Drive and Angel Tree, Lubbock Dream Center, and Bible in Every Backpack.
"What do I like about volunteering with mom? Time together. I enjoy sharing experiences with her. We laugh at silly things and sometimes cry over babies [at the hospital]. We vent to each other when we see people frustrated and seemingly helpless in dire circumstances. We spend time discussing our Sunday School lessons and David's sermons (and how we think he's always talking directly to us!). We discuss common and uncommon values and beliefs, offering differing opinions to each other. Time - it is a gift we choose to share." Deborah
Jerie and Deborah – your openness to allowing God to use your spirit to fight and advocate for those in great need is such an inspiration. You also show us how sweet volunteering can be when done with a friend! Thank you for dedicating your lives to service and compassion.
“My volunteering gives a purpose to my life. I’ve been blessed to live this long, in such good health, and I think that I have a reason to be here by volunteering.” Jerie
In the greater Lubbock community, they serve weekly meals at Lubbock Impact and rock babies who are in the hospital (after having been taken by the Department of Family and Protective Services.) They also are serving/have served as CASA workers (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for children. When the pandemic hit, they saw an advertisement asking for Meals on Wheels drivers and signed up right away!
Together at Southcrest, they volunteer with Operation Christmas Child Collection Center, the Buckner Shoe Drive and Angel Tree, Lubbock Dream Center, and Bible in Every Backpack.
"What do I like about volunteering with mom? Time together. I enjoy sharing experiences with her. We laugh at silly things and sometimes cry over babies [at the hospital]. We vent to each other when we see people frustrated and seemingly helpless in dire circumstances. We spend time discussing our Sunday School lessons and David's sermons (and how we think he's always talking directly to us!). We discuss common and uncommon values and beliefs, offering differing opinions to each other. Time - it is a gift we choose to share." Deborah
Jerie and Deborah – your openness to allowing God to use your spirit to fight and advocate for those in great need is such an inspiration. You also show us how sweet volunteering can be when done with a friend! Thank you for dedicating your lives to service and compassion.