Show me a thriving church, and I’ll show you a number of volunteers whose faithful service goes virtually unnoticed. Without these unsung heroes, much of the church’s ministry – and maybe the church itself – would fall flat. These servant-hearted individuals are not motivated by recognition; they’re driven by their love for God and others.
These service spotlights are designed to affirm and encourage all of our volunteers – especially those who work behind the scenes – and to express gratitude for your selfless ministry. We see you, we honor you, and we thank God for you!
This month’s service spotlight is on Angie Ham.
During her 11+ years at Grace City, Angie has worked for the Denver Seminary, CASTA, the Epilepsy Foundation, and now Agile for All, where she serves as the Director of Operations And Support – working mostly behind the scenes to make important things happen so her coworkers can thrive. And that last sentence is Angie to a T: she serves faithfully behind the scenes to help others thrive.
Occasionally, this strength has been utilized as a deacon. Always, this strength has been utilized to display the astounding mercy, compassion, and humility of her Savior. In every role, and in no role at all, Angie has consistently exemplified gritty grace – always moving toward those who are grieving or hurting, always giving a real-world shoulder to cry on rather than platitudes or judgment.
Angie is one of the greatest behind-the-scenes encouragers many of us have ever known. She’s spent time in many of your homes and hospital rooms, and she’s wept at your gravesides, saying with both life and words, “I’m here with you for as long this takes; somehow God will make this okay.” Where others have grown bitter and withdrawn, Angie has leveraged her own personal grief and loss to whisper to others a story of God’s redemption.
There are countless other instances where Angie has served her church family without recognition, and here are just a few:
For many years, Angie was the invisible hand behind what you know as the weekly e-news. Tracking multiple calendars and working within the constraints of boring templates, Angie communicated what others needed to know, often adding her flair for the humorous and, as one friend called it, “the innocuously inappropriate.”
For years, Angie was one of the main volunteers behind what you heard every Sunday morning, as she worked her magic mixing the band on the soundboard. For years she has stayed behind to clean up others’ messes – unseen, and often unappreciated. For years, she has taken the time to get to know our children, make them laugh, and point them to Jesus.
Another thing you may not know about Angie is that she was one of the major contributors to our Grace City website and brand. Though her name appears nowhere, her thoughtful input and copy writing are woven into every page.
While others talk about missions, and pray and give to support missions, Angie goes. Whether embracing the orphans of La Casa de mi Padre in San Salvador or the battered women of Centro Te Veo in the Dominican Republic, Angie sacrifices her own comfort and resources to see and serve the poor in spirit. Those who know her know that this is the real Angie: she sees people through the eyes of Christ and is hyper-attentive to the broken and the outcast.
Friends describe Angie as “selfless, fiercely loyal, intentional, creative, and empathetic.” She displays iron courage one moment and cracks a joke the next. She can take things seriously without taking herself too seriously.
Two quick anecdotes give you a glimpse of this last bit quite well. First, it’s a little-known fact that Angie once sang with the worship team. And I mean once: wearing camo pants on stage for our first Easter service. Second, while serving as a deacon, Angie once showed up to a meeting with binders that she had created for her team. On the cover were male models in speedos onto which she had photoshopped the heads of our deacons and elders.
One friend summarized Angie’s life this way: “I see Jesus in her because she’s always taking the low place; she’s always putting the needs of others ahead of her own.”
Angie, we love you and we praise the Lord for you!