Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Tara

At Fellowship Missions, volunteers don’t just lend a hand, they become part of something much bigger. For Tara, stepping into the kitchen for her first volunteer shift felt like stepping into a new kind of home.

What she found was not only a place to serve, but a community that welcomed her, challenged her, and changed her in ways she didn’t expect.

The First Step: A Nudge From God

Tara’s journey began at a memorial service in November. She attended to honor a neighbor and mentor who had served at Fellowship Missions. What she didn’t expect was the pull she felt to get involved herself.

“I filled out the volunteer application the next week, and the rest is history,” she says. “I had no idea that signing up to volunteer my time would lead me to gaining a whole new family.”

Tara calls that moment a “God wink”. A small, divine nudge that pointed her in the right direction. She didn’t ignore it, and she’s grateful she didn’t.

Food Is Love

Tara started volunteering in the kitchen, a natural fit for someone who loves to cook and believes deeply in the power of food to connect people.

“The kitchen is the heart of the home,” she says. “Food is love. It’s the one common ground we all share because everyone needs to eat.”

From her very first shift, Tara felt at home. Her kitchen crew bonded quickly, and the space filled with joy, laughter, and a sense of belonging. “It’s a family affair in the kitchen,” she explains. “And you can feel it.”

A New Perspective

As she grew more involved with Fellowship Missions, Tara also started spending time at the front desk. This gave her another way to connect with residents, meet other volunteers, and witness the generosity of community members who drop off donations.

“It’s been a wonderful opportunity to get to know the residents as they come and go,” she shares. “And seeing how they take care of each other? That’s the most heart-warming part.”

From small gestures like offering rides to spontaneous hugs and treats, Tara sees daily proof that Fellowship Missions is more than a shelter. It’s a family.

Learning, Growing, And Letting Go

Tara recently stepped outside her comfort zone again by writing about her experience, which is something that didn’t come easily at first.

“I used to write all the time, but this time I struggled,” she admits. “Old perfectionist tendencies crept back in, and I overanalyzed everything. I finally had to stop editing and just let it be.”

That moment became a lesson in grace and growth. “It was a blessing and an eye-opener all in one,” she reflects. “Now that I’ve done it once, I’ll be better prepared for the next time.”

Advice For New Volunteers: Just Do It

When asked what she’d say to someone considering volunteering, Tara keeps it simple: Just do it. It will change your life.

For those who follow Jesus, she adds, “You’ll feel Christ’s love the moment you walk through the door. The love at Fellowship Missions is that powerful.”

Faith At The Center

Tara draws strength from Philippians 4:13, which says: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” She carries that truth with her into every volunteer shift, guided by a simple question: What would Jesus do?

“He was sent to us in the physical form as a representation of Divine unconditional love in action,” she says. “Helping others is the highest form of putting that love into practice. That’s what Fellowship Missions is, the essence of Jesus in physical form.”

You Can Make a Difference Too!

If you’re feeling that same nudge, the one Tara felt at a memorial service last November, don’t ignore it. You might just find yourself gaining a whole new perspective on how to love others in the name of Jesus Christ.

Ready to take the first step? Learn more about how you can volunteer with Fellowship Missions today.