A Willing Spirit: Greg’s Message That “Anyone Can Do It!”

Greg didn’t know what he was getting into. When he was first asked to join a care community at Northland Church, he thought “one meal a month doesn’t sound too bad.” But it was through this one “yes” that Greg Hodges would go on to see the immense need that makes critical aid so necessary for vulnerable kids right here in Central Florida.

Greg served faithfully as a care community volunteer, making and delivering a meal a month to a foster family, until he decided to take the next step and become a team leader.

His service as a meal deliverer had given him the exposure to see how crucial the work of care communities really was. He had heard the statistic that while half of foster families quit after their first placement, 90% continue 2-3 times longer when they are supported by a care community. When he began serving, however, that statistic began to truly come to life. It all made sense now; these kids need this kind of support and community if they are to stay in families. So when a Northland pastor approached Greg with the invitation into team leadership after serving for a year, it didn’t take him much convincing. 

But like any newcomer, Greg had only a limited understanding of what his new role would entail. He said candidly, “I didn’t really know what it was.” Nonetheless, his willing spirit coupled with the guidance of the advocates and team leaders around him spurred him on to success. Greg served as a team leader for over a year, and he felt so much purpose in the role and emphasized how he felt loved and supported by his fellow team members throughout his service; he still does!

Despite feeling like he was going in blind, Greg has been thriving in his role and enjoying making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable kids. “You really see how big of an impact you can make,” he said. 

This impact that Greg is making doesn’t stem from any expertise or a wealth of experience working with kids from hard places, it comes from his willing heart. His humility and desire to see vulnerable children flourish has made him a force of love and care for the kids and their foster and adoptive families. One of Greg’s care communities serves a single man who fosters named Imran and the two children he is caring for. Imran comes from a muslim upbringing and does not attend church, but he allows Greg to take the kids to church after earning his trust over the past year. “The kids really like it,” Greg said. Northland recently held a celebration for the anniversary of their Family Advocacy Ministry, and Imran came.

Looking back on his journey to joining the care community at Northland and eventually other roles he grew into, Greg said, “Bottom line is, I’m glad they asked me to do just one meal a month. This is such a worthwhile ministry!"

We too are so glad that Greg took a leap of faith and said “yes” to joining his church’s care community! His story powerfully illustrates the reality that all it takes to serve and make a difference is the willingness to do so.

Thanks for all you do, Greg!