Since becoming active at Grace Community Church, I often looked for ways that I could serve within the church. I participated in Operation Serve and assisted in other volunteer capacities around the church. Although I felt good about the work I was doing, I wasn’t passionate about it.
When Grace Community Church had the opportunity to participate in the Financial Learning Experience presented by Joseph Sangl, I was asked to consider being a financial counselor. As a banker by trade, I accepted - knowing that I am good with numbers and that I enjoy helping people. Little did I know that I would feel such a passion for helping people secure their financial futures by being a financial counselor through this program.
The program offers free financial counseling to anyone willing to participate. The financial counselors have been trained to assist people by creating budgets, offering money saving tips, creating a plan to get out of debt, and even to help those who need to know what to do with extra money. Currently, all counseling sessions take place on Sunday mornings, allowing those with children the ability to use free childcare while they meet with a financial counselor.
The initial appointment is followed by as many follow-up sessions as the individual needs. We effectively become a partner for the individual to obtain assistance from monthly - if that is what the individual requests.
In addition to helping others obtain needed financial advice, I have been blessed and motivated by these same individuals. My husband and I have adopted the tools taught through the Financial Learning Experience in our household so that we can live what I am teaching others and achieve financial goals we have set for our family. I have a passion for seeing people overcome their financial adversities and I feel blessed that I have been able to use the gifts that God has given me to assist them through their journey.
Financial counseling is such a great ministry provided through the church. As American’s we are part of one of the most blessed countries on earth. By learning to live within a budget and get out of debt, we have the opportunity to share a portion of what God has blessed us with in order to help others who are less fortunate.
I am excited for our family and the others that have participated in this program that are moving closer to financial freedom. I am excited because we will have the opportunity to do what God has put us on earth to do – and the possibilities are endless!
Posted on
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
by Jennifer McBroom