Serve Summit Fans the Flames of Community Engagement in Ellensburg

By Richie Brower

Upper Columbia Conference Serve One More Associate Director

The weekend began with a teleconference call that brought together key figures from the City of Ellensburg, including Rich Elliott, mayor; Heidi Behrends Cerniwey, city manager; and several other city hall employees. During the call, the city officials shared a comprehensive list of needs that the church could help address, highlighting areas where the church’s involvement could make a meaningful impact.

The needs discussed during the call ranged from disaster response and family preparedness to connecting with residents of local assisted living centers and tackling housing instability. These areas were identified as pressing concerns that could benefit from the church’s active engagement. As church members heard the report on Friday night, their enthusiasm was palpable and their eagerness to get involved was evident.

The heart of the Serve Summit training is to equip churches with practical tools and creative ideas to engage with their communities effectively. Kathy Marson, Upper Columbia Conference prayer ministries coordinator, encouraged participants to blanket their community with prayer and shared a powerful and fun presentation that taught members how to create prayer blankets for members of their community.

One of the main goals of the training is to help participants recognize the vast array of resources available to them that often go untapped. Whether it’s the congregation’s talents, existing partnerships or financial resources, churches  often have more at their disposal than they realize. This shift in perspective can help churches better plan, fund and follow up on service events.

In addition to the workshops and discussions, Serve Summit provided attendees with a wealth of creative ideas for connecting with their communities.One standout aspect of the training was the focus on sustainability and long-term impact.

Participants were challenged to not only meet immediate needs, but also build lasting relationships within their neighborhoods. This wholistic approach to service ensures that the church’s outreach efforts continue to bear fruit in the years to come.

One attendee shared their enthusiasm, stating, “It was wonderful! I feel encouraged and excited to see how God leads our churches to help others.”

Serve Summit not only energized Ellensburg Church, but also set the stage for a future of compassionate service and collaboration with the wider community as they partner to Serve One More.

Spokane Countryside Adventist Church will be the location of the next Serve Summit, April 25-26.

To schedule a Serve Summit weekend in your church or district, email richieb@uccsda.org.