Negativity and selfishness gets great publicity in our social networking, indirect-contact society. You’d be led to believe the world’s running low on good people and that no one cares for or respects one another anymore. Their only concerns are themselves; and when they’re in need, no one is willing to lend them a hand without reward.
This is not the case. Kind, caring, selflessly-generous people still exist. Kevin Berry is a shining example.
A great leader should also be a great communicator. Berry is Pastor of Mount Hope Church and International Outreach. Its headquarters is located in his native Lansing, MI. A member of Mt. Hope his entire life, God’s love is in his cells. When it comes to delivering the word through passionate sermons and personal stories, one may consider Pastor Kevin a proverbial cell tower. He gladly welcomes everyone to use his service.
Berry is also an author. Books The Journey and Experience Hope are well-written extensions of his ministry. While good at what he does, he’s also a good person and one who believes in helping others.
I asked Pastor Kevin Berry to tell me about a time when he did something nice for someone he didn’t know. Here’s what he shared.
“Every day, we have the opportunity to do something that is life changing… and it’s really not that complicated! It could be giving someone a listening ear, a warm smile, or a simple—yet powerful—act of kindness. Could something like that actually be life-changing? Absolutely!
It has always been small acts of obedience that bring about big miracles. This past Christmas, I had the chance to be part of one of those life-changing moments. It’s something that I will never forget for the rest of my life.
Just before Christmas, on behalf of Mount Hope Church, I brought a gift for every child at St. Vincent’s Home for Children. I was able to personally hand a gift to the child that I was mentoring. The moment I handed it to him, it was clear that he wanted to give me something, so he said, “I have something for you, too!” and he gave me a book. I thanked him and we sat down and started playing with Legos.
When I got home, I looked at that book. The title was, The Puppy Place – Where Every Puppy Finds a Home. My heart melted when I thought of a young boy who longs for family, for a home, reading a book about a place where every puppy finds a home. Certainly there needs to be a place where every child finds a home!
The next week when I went back, I brought him a personal gift from my wife and me. It was a specific Lego set that he had been wanting. He was so excited, and to my surprise he had gifts for me and my family – gifts that he picked out himself, paid for, and wrapped. I was humbled and blown away that he would do that.
As we sat down and started putting together his new Legos, at one point he looked at me and said, “I love you.” My heart melted again. I think it was a big deal for him to say that; it was more than words. I don’t think it was said because I brought a gift. I think it was the result of consistent little things, showing up, believing in him, and encouraging him. I think he felt loved enough, and safe enough, to say that.
The life-changing moment was for me! I will never forget how God can take something seemingly small like playing Legos and create something so big on the inside of me – a heart that looks more like His.
It is a heart for the fatherless, a heart that beats with more compassion, a heart that is convinced that there needs to be a place where every child finds a home.” |THIS.
[By Mr. Joe Walker]
“We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let’s start giving.” – ‘We Are the World’
