David and Lois Garrison Serving by Volunteering at ServLife’s Office
Having been active in their local church for years, and raising four kids in the process, Dave and Lois Garrison always suspected there was life outside the church, and in the spring of 2007 they began to see how true that was. When Joel Vestal, ServLife’s founder and president, spoke at their church they were both instantly drawn to the mission of ServLife as Joel described it that Sunday morning. Dave explains, “Lois and I both knew almost instantly we needed to talk to Joel more about this ministry and how we might get involved.” There were a number of things about the ministry that attracted their attention. First, was the focus on helping children at risk. Although never really due to any “grand plan” much of the ministry work they had been active in over the years involved children, from teaching fourth grade Sunday school to helping support orphanages and schools in places like Africa and the Middle East. Lois says, “most of what we did for children involved financial help, which is important, but we saw an opportunity at ServLife to give more of ourselves, and felt that was something we were being called to do.”
Another aspect of ServLife’s work that spoke to their hearts was the holistic approach to helping those in need. Dave clarifies, “Many ministries help in one area or the other- providing food or shelter, education, or maybe spreading the Gospel message. Although it can be a challenge, ServLife is working hard to balance all of these approaches. As Joel says, “to bring the whole gospel to the whole person. ”
The third thing about ServLife they liked was the approach to those overseas who need help, especially indigenous workers like pastors, teachers or others in full time ministry. Lois explains, “Unlike many western based missions groups that go into any area with the attitude, ‘we have money and knowhow, here’s what we can do for you’, ServLife’s approach makes more sense to us. It’s more of a coming along side and asking what kind of help somebody needs. We think this is much more effective in the long run.”
Dave has run the family business for a number of years and it now allows him to take a couple of afternoons a week, when he and Lois meet at the ServLife head office in Indianapolis. Dave says, “We’ve really enjoyed our time here helping in any way we can…. mostly small stuff that the full time staffers just don’t have time to get to, but we can see how it makes a difference. We’re looking forward to how God can continue to use us in this incredible ministry.”
