Q&A with Laura Sylvester
General assembly is not just a time to develop the work inside the church. It's a time to practice what Nazarenes do best--making a difference in people's lives. Laura Sylvester fills Holiness Today in on the effort to affect the city through the One Heart, Many Hands project.
HT: When did One Heart, Many Hands begin?
LS: Sometime before General Assembly in 1993, when people were getting excited and reservations were being made, Gary Morsch, a Nazarene physician and director of Heart to Heart, wondered if there was something we could do to leave behind an expression of who we are and what we are about. So he asked deputy mayor, Jane Henegar, "What can we do?" She and other city officials directed us to the needs in economically depressed areas. About 300 people repaired homes near Shepherd Community (a Nazarene compassionate ministry center).
HT: Tell us about your involvement.
LS: My husband, Ron, and I came on board in 1996 when Dr. Morsch asked us to be the on-site coordinators for the community service project for the general assembly in San Antonio. Our first task was to find the need. We looked for people in the area who were already helping others. We received demographic material from Nazarene headquarters and met with city government officials to ask for their support. Our most valuable contact was Peggy Stark, who was principal of the largest inner city school in San Antonio. She connected us with social workers, community organizations and the police department. They all helped us find the needs. In Indianapolis 2001, we started off again by meeting with city government. This time, with history and a good reputation, we were welcomed with open arms and given help and encouragement at every turn.
HT: It sounds like quite a task!
LS: When we plan OHMH, we arrive to the designated city almost a year ahead of time and begin preparations. One challenge is when you find someone with a need, they don't need it done next June, they need it done now. Asking them to wait for a new roof is hard when we know we'll be sleeping under a roof that doesn't leak. OHMH staff members are volunteers. We are never quite sure who will show up and for how long. But no greater volunteers exist than those we have worked with. They are some of the most caring, energetic, selfless Nazarenes we have ever known. Another challenge is in giving people hope that someone is coming to help with their need. We're preparing over 100 projects for an unknown group of volunteers. We have work for about 4,000 people. We pray Proverbs 16:3, daily, committing our plans to the Lord. In 1997 and again in 2001, every project was completed and with extra work also being accomplished.
HT: How will OHMH minister this summer?
LS: As we enter Indianapolis again, we plan to leave our handprints again on many homes and lives, showing the love of Christ in tangible, very basic ways, by helping others where they have needs. Neighborhood and community organizations, the health department, area churches, and Shepherd Community have given us names of neighbors who need help. OHMH volunteers will visit each homeowner and will not only make lists of materials needed, but will ask, "Can I pray with you?" Returning to Indianapolis in 2005 has some real advantages. As we've prepared the jobs, we've heard and seen the difference OHMH participants made in lives in 2001. One family told us the husband had been in a wheelchair and was unable to get through doors and had to be bathed in the living room. But in 2001, we installed a handicapped shower. His wife tearfully expressed thanks as she told us how he was able to recover pride. Another lady sits on her new front porch the group built whenever she can and visits with her neighbors. On another street we found a blind woman who needed work done on her home and she told us she wanted her same group from 2001--she fell in love with them. Another lady still receives cards and visits from her team, and at Christmas they sent her a love offering. In another home a new window air conditioner was a gift beyond the scope of the work. Another homeowner tells how the team paid his electric bill, and helped him get over the hump.
HT: OHMH seems to be a thriving ministry, demonstrating faith in action.
LS: We are sure there are more stories we may never know, but we do know it is our privilege and an honor to serve alongside the thousands of volunteers who are our Nazarene brothers and sisters. In all that is said and done, people have been shown the love of Jesus and the glory is given to God. Within our denomination there are churches, big and small and individuals from all walks of life who have a desire to help someone else. They might be thinking, "What can I do?" What we do is not as important as the fact that we just do something.
If you'd like to sign up for One Heart, Many Hands, or would like more information, please see https://oneheartmanyhands.com/ or call 317-809-4072.
Holiness Today, May/June 2005
Please note: This article was originally published in 2005. All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at that time but may have since changed.
