The Church Was Americas First Volunteer Network and Its Time to Prove It Again
NAE President Walter Kim urges churches to reclaim their historic role as Americas volunteer backbone ahead of the nations 250th anniversary and Good Neighbor Day.
Why American Churches Must Reclaim Their Role as the Nation's Greatest Volunteer Force
Walter Kim, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, is calling on churches across America to reclaim their historic role as the backbone of community service ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary.
In a powerful essay published in Christian Daily, Kim reminded believers that churches were the original volunteer network in the United States. Long before government programs or civic organizations existed, congregations were the ones feeding families, welcoming immigrants, caring for the vulnerable, and holding communities together.
"The Church was America's first volunteer network. Long before civic and governmental infrastructures existed, congregations faithfully fed families, welcomed immigrants, cared for the vulnerable, and stitched together the fabric of our society."
Kim grounded his call in the words of Jesus from Mark 12:31: "Love your neighbor as yourself." He argued that authentic Christian love demands ongoing, holistic care, not just occasional charity.
"To love our neighbors as ourselves is to apply that same pattern of ongoing, attentive, holistic care towards others."
Drawing from Romans 12, Kim outlined a biblical framework for Christian service: hospitality, blessing others, mourning with those who mourn, rejoicing with those who rejoice, pursuing peace, and remaining "joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
Kim shared his own family's immigrant experience, describing how believers from Lutheran, Catholic, Korean Presbyterian, and Baptist churches all stepped up to support his family. He also pointed to Malawi, where Anglican, Baptist, and Pentecostal congregations collaborated on practical community development, including sustainable fishing ponds and women's business initiatives, creating credibility for the gospel message.
The NAE president is urging churches to participate in Good Neighbor Day America on May 16, 2026, a nationwide effort in partnership with America250 to inspire 250 million acts of kindness. Suggested activities include cleaning playgrounds, partnering with local schools, supporting shelters, and asking community leaders what needs to be done.
Evangelical Leaders Push for Massive Church Volunteering Movement Ahead of America's 250th Birthday
The Good Neighbor Day America initiative has already begun mobilizing thousands of local churches through CityServe's nationwide church network. The goal is to create the largest single day of coordinated service and goodwill in American history.
Kim's message transcends denominational lines. His personal story of being supported by Lutherans, Catholics, Presbyterians, and Baptists reflects the kind of Christian unity that built America's earliest communities and can rebuild them again.
The Crusader's Opinion
This is exactly what the Church was built for. Before the government wrote a single welfare check, Christians were feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, and welcoming strangers. We didn't need a bureaucracy to tell us to love our neighbors. We just did it because Christ commanded it. If every congregation in America showed up on May 16 and served their community with the same fire our ancestors had, the world would see what it means to follow Jesus. Stop waiting for politicians to fix your town. The Church is the answer. It always has been.
Take Action
- Sign up your church for Good Neighbor Day America on May 16, 2026 and organize a local service project.
- Visit JustServe.org to find volunteer opportunities in your community that match your skills and interests.
- Contact your church leadership this week and propose a community service initiative. Start small: a playground cleanup, a food drive, or partnering with a local shelter.
- Support global Christian service through The Shepherd's Shield, which assists persecuted and vulnerable Christians worldwide.
- Share this article with your congregation and small group. Challenge them: what would your neighborhood look like if your church served it every single week?
