By Heather Berghuis
Are you seeing a good work beginning, progressing, coming to completion in your life for the work of Christ’s Kingdom? Heather Berghuis cared for her family through 25 years of military family life and is just beginning to see a long-term passion to teach ESL and share the love of Jesus with newcomers being developed. She is putting together task-based ESL lessons to prepare newcomers for thrift store volunteerism alongside intentional Christ-following volunteers.
“I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you…
In 2019, some seemingly unrelated opportunities came up—a surprised opportunity for TESL certification after being out of school for 30 years and a leadership position in a local Christian thrift store all while my heart continued to grow in love for newcomers to Ottawa. What if this new education and role at the thrift store weren’t just personal pursuits? What if the Lord wants to use me to build a program that would not only teach English, but put newcomers who desperately need to meet Jesus in natural relationship with intentional Christ-followers? What if the Lord already has particular lives in mind to bless and extend His salvation to—both volunteers and newcomers?
Over the past few years, these questions have fueled my prayers and shaped how I have seen almost every opportunity and relationship! While there is still much to do, support from the local Body of Christ is confirming the Lord’s favour. Additionally, the excitement and expectation from the newcomers I know makes me wish we had this in place for them when they arrived a year ago! They have clearly expressed that their need is not just for English but to be productive and part of a community. So, they have helped me pilot this program, testing out different lessons and volunteering with some friends of mine.
Currently, the program is shaped around their beginner English needs. In development is a 10-week program of once-a-week, 2-hour ESL classes consisting of instruction and small group activities. After week 2, participants will learn to use SignUpGenius, an online signup, so that, in addition to the class, they will have the opportunity to volunteer with support at the thrift store.
There is much opportunity for the development of higher-level English classes. In my role at the thrift store, I have developed training videos for the different departments in the store. I’m looking forward to turning these into task-based lessons as well! Lessons on why we love to volunteer in Canada and how selfless service expresses the heart of Jesus are also in development.
What drives me, though, is that volunteering together will give Christians an opportunity to meet and love newcomers they normally would never rub shoulders with and that newcomers will meet committed Christ-followers and be drawn to Him through their love and find salvation in Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6 reminds me that God is doing a work among us. I know that God has done a good work in my life by teaching me how and giving me opportunities to love newcomers. I trust He will also do a beautiful work in each volunteer’s life who serves. I also pray that this initiative will be used by God in His good work of bringing salvation to someone’s life, trusting God to
…bring it to completion by the day of Christ Jesus.”
(Phil 1:6 NRSV)