If you need an excuse to spend more time in your RV, volunteering to help others may be the answer. It is for members of two Christian-based organizations who devote the time they spend on the road in their motorhomes and travel trailers to doing faith-based work throughout North America
“My wife Jacky and I were parked in an upscale RV park and noticed lots and lots of folks with nothing to do but play games, do hobbies or whatever,” explained Lynn Battermann, coordinator for the Mission Builders RV Association, a program of Mission Builders International. “We thought, wow there are a lot of people who might want to volunteer, so we launched the RV ministry thru Mission Builders International in fall of 2007 after receiving permission from the board of directors.”
Battermann said those coming forward to help in with this faith-based service include RV owners who are “looking to do something of significance during winter months in northern states by heading south to a Youth With A Mission (YWAM) training center or if they are full timers staying for up to 3 months to volunteer.”
Many of these volunteers have a connection to YWAM or have been told about these opportunities by family or friends, Battermann said. “We also set up information booths at an FMCA event and a Good Sam event to gather names and email address of folks interested in volunteering.”
Many of the participants are Christian in faith but some are not, Battermann said. The group draws people who are looking for opportunities to use their time and talents for something “significant besides just being parked at a nice resort and playing shuffle boarding.”
Those volunteering with a second group, RVs On A Mission (ROAM) have a similar story. Established in 2003, ROAM is affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene and members do the majority of their service work at affiliated churches and organizations or with church-approved projects, said Jean and Duane Morford, who are on the ROAM Board of Directors. The group numbers about 85 units, which are either a married couple of a single person.
Jean and Duane Morford at the church where they are stationed today.
“ROAMers do a variety of things depending on the needs of the project,” said Vice President Jean Morford. “We have people who are involved in all aspects of construction, lawn maintenance, food service, cleaning, office work, auto repair and many other things. There are always things people with health restrictions can do. People are never asked to do anything they are uncomfortable doing.”
Those committing to the mission of ROAM can work on one three-week project or can take on several annually. Membership in the Church of the Nazarene is not required, Monford said.
A similar scenario plays out for those who are active with MBRI, Battermann said. Much of the work is to alleviate staffing duties at the YWAM service centers. Here, members focus on helping maintain the facilities or fill in gaps in needs. YWAM training centers usually like volunteers to stay a minimum of two-weeks and a maximum of three-months, but some stay-times can be adjusted by negotiating with the training center leadership, he said.
It was while staying at one of these YWAM service centers that the Battermanns realized the need to establish a group that could lend a hand.
“Volunteers were needed to repair or build facilities or support them thru acts of service like cooking, baking, housekeeping, construction, IT support services and the list was pretty long,” Battermann said. “They did not have housing for volunteers but their property had room for RV parking sites. So, we were able to show them how to set up RV sites with full or partial utilities. In some cases, we even helped the build the sites.”
The Battermanns hope others are moved to be a part of these service-centered groups just as they were.
“For us, it was to fulfill our calling from the Lord to help bring ‘Christ's salvation to a lost and dying world’ through the skills and abilities we were gifted with,” Battermann said. “Others find it fun, rewarding and participating in something that is changing the world for the better.”
The Morfords cite a similar experience.
“I think the ROAM verse, 1 Peter 4:10a, says it best: ‘Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,’” Morford said. “ROAM provides us with the opportunity to help others in many ways and also to travel to different parts of the country. ROAM literally has projects from Alaska to Florida and Maine to California and many places in-between.”
By joining either organization, members get access to a list of projects. From that list, members can decide where they would like to go and find projects that fit into their skills or experience.
For those who may be considering spending their time giving back, Battermann has these words of encouragement: "Come with us and see how you can enjoy serving others and receive a blessing in return and see how your skills can be used in making a difference in people’s lives and ministries. You will forever be changed and want to do it as often as you have the time and resources. Many new life-time-friends have been made through this ministry.”