Ministry Opportunities

Contact Melissa Roose at roosem@jbu.edu for more information about the following opportunities:

Arms of Compassion… ACM exists as the compassionate arm of the local church. Its participants minister to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the most destitute children and families of society. The ministry is divided into three sub-ministries:

1. Homes for Children - Recruiting and supporting loving Christian homes for orphaned and abused children, as well as supporting and developing other ministries for orphaned children.
2. Hunger Relief Charities - Supporting ministries that minister to the hungry of society as well as distributing Journey Packs, Care Kits, and Bibles to children going through difficult journeys in life.
3. Help in Crisis - Extending a helping hand to those affected by disaster through the ministry of our Blue Tarp Team, as well as the development and support of Local Disaster Relief Teams.

The ministry began in October of 2004 and has since ministered to literally hundreds, if not thousands, of hurting children and families all over the world. For more information on the ministries and activities of ACM visit their website at http://www.armsofcompassion.org/.

Would you like to get involved? One practical way that we as graduate students can participate in Arms of Compassion is by preparing Care Kits. A Care Kit is a one gallon Ziploc bag filled with toiletry items and other necessities designed to bring a child joy and comfort during an otherwise difficult journey in life. Care Kits are assembled with travel blankets, pillows, and Bibles to create Journey Packs, which are given to children who have lost everything or had nothing in the first place. For a list of supplies and instructions to assemble Care Kits (PDF). Please, contact John Hewett or Melissa Roose with any questions.

HIP Mentoring for Children of Prisoners... Five counties in Arkansas received a three year grant to help Children of Incarcerated parents. In Northwest Arkansas (Washington and Benton Counties), the Child Care Resource & Referral Center (part of the Jones Center) started this program in an effort to break the cycle of intergenerational incarceration. They need mentors who will spend one hour a week with a child and receive ten hours of training.

New Life Ranch… New Life Ranch’s Bridge programs works with “at risk” youth from the community by letting them experience the love of a mentor who is not “paid” to be their friend. They are their friend because of their love for their Savior. Our Bridge programs consist of Right Lead, which teaches horsemanship, Right Stage, which uses drama, Right Click where kids learn graphic design and Right Start, a ministry to unwed mothers. Our sphere of influence is limited by how many mentors we have. We have a long waiting list for children wanting to be a part of these programs.

Compassion Ministry... Compassion International exists as an advocate for children, releasing them from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enabling them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults. It helps more than 691,188 children in more than 20 countries. Compassion Ministry on campus allows students financially to serve the Lord by contributing $2 a month toward the sponsorship of one of the 16 children JBU supports. You can visit www.compassion.com to learn more about Compassion International.