I recently spoke with a fine young lady that I know who just returned from a ten-month stint with Americorps (http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/nccc.asp). She participated on a team that served areas hit by floods, tornadoes, and children afflicted with AIDS.  She returned with a beaming smile and a grateful heart.

During her stint with Americorps, she had all of her expenses paid and she earned a college credit of roughly $5500.  I’m not saying that this is the primary motivation to serve, but is a nice benefit.

In the church, we too often think of creating our own programs, rather than joining existing ones.  Why is this?  What might it be like to rub shoulders with other kids from all across the US who are learning to serve.  What a platform to speak of why we serve! (Mark 10:45).  Sure, they do not operate from a totally “Christian grid” but that’s increasingly our world.

I have met a lot of young people who are finishing high school and asking, “what’s next?”  For many, taking tenmonths to roll up their sleeves and clean up the wrecked homes of others would be good for the mind, body, and soul.  And it could never hurt to earn a few bucks for college too.