Last Saturday over 2,000 volunteers set out from Milestone Church on a mission to serve the people of our region at our 2nd annual Serve Day. Teams of red shirts could be seen all over the area serving in over 60 compassion projects. Yet behind every repair made or trash bag collected, every game played or face painted, behind every conversation started, the motivation remained the same: reaching people with the love of Jesus.
We are an everyone church here at Milestone. We all have unique gifts and abilities God’s given us to love and serve others. One person can’t do everything, but everyone can do something.
Philip Kraft may not be one for small talk…but put a tool in his hand and something special happens. Check out his incredible Serve Day story below…
What an awesome experience!
I am so thankful to belong to a church that is actively seeking needs and serving people!
I think we all desire to do something significant in our lives or to make a difference in someone else’s, but on our own we are limited by our individual capacity and resources. This is why it is so great that our church has made it a priority to actively seek and serve others…as a unified team we can do so much more!
In preparation for this year’s Serve Day, we contacted the city of Keller and asked… What needs are there in our community? And, how can we help serve these needs? One of the items on the list was the need to replace a gazebo at one of Keller’s most popular parks, Bear Creek Park. The previous gazebo was built 10 years ago, and earlier this year the structure had to be torn down due to unsafe conditions.
So without hesitation our church accepted the task!
I was given the honor to lead the team responsible for the construction of this new gazebo. It was perfect for me because over years of serving in our church, I have found that construction projects are one of my callings as part of our church body. Not because I am a super skilled craftsman, but because of the joy it brings to me. I am an engineer by profession and I have found the typical engineer jokes match me to a tee. Meaning, relationally I am NOT the life of the party and my small talk is about as enjoyable as watching paint dry, but put a power tool in my hand with a goal to build something or demo it, and I am in my element! This is where many of my most meaningful relationships have started.
This gazebo project was a blast! We had plenty of willing volunteers, and everyone was excited and ready to work! Half the people on our team didn’t know each other, but I am confident that connections were made, and will continue to develop. I know there is one individual I will definitely be staying in contact with, because I still have his drill:). In all seriousness – I truly feel like some long term relationships were established.
Ultimately, this project was a success and the city now has a need removed from their list, which they expressed great gratitude for, but for me, this was not the big win! I witnessed God doing other things in the process:
Two of our volunteers brought out their sons to help, and it was extremely delightful to witness these father and sons working together. These are experiences that you cannot purchase, and I am sure will not be soon forgotten.
Locals who passed by during the construction were surprised that we were all volunteers, people just loving people and caring for their needs – not paid and no agendas!
The two city officials who we reported to during the project were surely impacted, as I could sense their comfort in knowing they have found an ally in their mission to support our community. Plus, I truly felt that our generosity had inspired them both personally.
We are most like Jesus when we are serving!
And it was evident that this project was rewarding to those who participated, from the joy I witnessed in their hearts to the pep in their steps. This gazebo is an important feature for our community and has very practical uses, but our team was mostly excited for all the memories it will help create for years to come!
Thank you for allowing me to participate in something AWESOME!
Phillip Kraft
Amy
April 19, 2018 at 10:16 amGreat job, Phillip! So thankful for you & your family!
Mike Banas
April 19, 2018 at 10:33 amWay to go Phillip! You sure had a lot to say (write) and you did it very well! Thank you for serving our City and our Community.
You did it with excellence and you all are wonderful ambassadors for our church and Christ’s Kingdom.
Thank you!
Mel Baggett
April 19, 2018 at 10:36 amThis is awesome! Thanks for sharing your gifts Philip!
steve
April 19, 2018 at 10:38 amGreat job leading the team Phil!!!! It looks great. I heard someone already reached out to the city to do a wedding there. Ha! That didn’t take long.
Pastor Tim
April 19, 2018 at 10:55 amThis is awesome! I love seeing how God uses every gift in the body of Christ. Amazing job!
Caroline
April 19, 2018 at 11:09 amThank you Phil! You are a great engineer but an even better husband and father and friend! We all love you and apprecite your skills but more than your skills we love your love of this church!
You are a treasure!
Pastor Ron
April 19, 2018 at 1:44 pmPhil Kraft is a legend. I love this story!!!
Diane H
April 19, 2018 at 5:03 pmI love this story! Good job y’all and thanks for sharing Phillip!!!
Jordan Patrick Fowler
April 20, 2018 at 8:16 amMy building hero! Way to serve with your gifts!
Sue Marohl
August 18, 2019 at 2:39 pmCongratulations on what looks like a job well done. I’m not surprised when I see who led this project. Phillip-Hope you and your family are doing great! Past co-worker. Sue from Stratford, WI