The New Covenant family has a unique opportunity this spring to be on mission right here in Cedar Rapids: to take God’s love and share it with a family. Sound like a mission trip? In essence, it is, but this mission trip has a few advantages. Read below what our "Mission Trip" point person, Bob Sevier, has to say about this opportunity coming up on May 25, 2021:

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• This is a short, no passport-required mission trip where you can drink the water without worry.
• I love the idea that my working on a simple building project can bring such joy to God.
• I’ve always thought these should be called “self-service projects” because I always, always, always receive more than I give.
• It never fails that at the end of a workday, I think, “Wow, this was the best time ever.”
• God’s economy makes no worldly sense. I am learning that the more I give of myself and my talents, however meager they may be, the more I receive.
• Rather than thinking of dozens of reasons why I can’t/won’t do a service project, I focus on the one reason I should: Him.
• More than skills, God is interested in willing, grateful hearts.

This spring, New Covenant is joining in a faith build with other area churches, Thrivent, and Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity, to construct a new home for a deserving family in our community. Learn more about Faith Builds

This isn’t an ordinary service project in a far-away land. Instead, we will be working alongside a Cedar Rapids family that has already invested hundreds of hours in their new home or other Habitat “sweat equity” projects. Their goal, and our purpose, is to build a safe home they can call their own.

The word “safe” is an important one to this family. Isaac, Nathalie, and their three children came to Cedar Rapids in 2015 after fleeing the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The International Committee of the Red Cross says more than 1 million people have been displaced because of civil war and poverty in the DRC since 2014.

This home will give them the peace of mind and place that so many of us already enjoy. Read more about the family.

When New Covenant's Community Life Director Pat Rieck asked me to lead this project I didn’t hesitate. It is much better to work with God on figuring out how to do something than to ignore God when He is asking me to step up. 

So I am asking you: do you want to build your faith, wear a tool belt, and model the snappy new neon green NCBC “Pursue and Practice” volunteer t-shirt? If so, we have an opportunity for you.

New Covenant's workday is Tuesday, May 25, 2021. We will help the Habitat staff to install windows, do other light carpentry, and help clean up the worksite.

This is a great opportunity for us to bless others in a real and tangible way. It is also a time to enjoy authentic fellowship with others from NCBC as we bear witness to Christ’s work in our lives with a hammer and broom. No matter your skill level, your help is needed. So open your heart, clear your calendar, grab your work gloves and your favorite hat, and join us.

Lunch will be provided (think sandwiches and bottled water, but hey, it’s a worksite). 

You can sign up for the morning or afternoon, or for the whole day. You can sign up here. Update: All our work shifts are filled! Thank you!