After graduating from college, Owen had more free time than he expected. He wanted to fill it with something worthwhile. So he signed up to volunteer for one week as a Buddy on Immanuel’s Wednesday night IBCKids team.
Buddies partner one-on-one with kids who benefit from individual support. They sit with them, keep them settled, and give them a consistent person to look to each week. Owen figured he’d try it once and see how it felt.
One week became one month. One month became one year.
“I wouldn’t have known how amazing it is to serve with the kids, and how much God has grown me through it, if I didn’t walk through that open door and at least try.”
The Moment Everything Clicked
A few weeks into his time serving, Owen noticed a shift. The child he partnered with had been standoffish at first. New faces take time. Then one evening, the child came and sat down right beside him during the lesson.
Instead of being restless, the child leaned against Owen’s arm or held his hand. Just to know he was there. Just to stay grounded.
“No longer was I the new unfamiliar face,” Owen says, “but a recognizable safe space.” That quiet moment is what the Buddy role is all about. For Owen, it was when everything clicked.
Watching Kids Grow Over Time
Owen has served long enough now to notice things that only become visible with consistency. “Getting to see their personalities develop over time is kind of amazing,” he says.
Kids who once struggled begin to find their footing. He’s seen some make decisions to follow Christ, which he describes as “always a joyous occasion.”
“The spreading of the gospel is not something that happens on the mission trip you take every now and again. It’s a constant thing that happens right in your own backyard.”
The Best Night of the Week
Owen now holds a regular spot in the weekly rotation. He looks forward to Wednesday evenings all day at work. Missing a week, he says, would feel strange. Those kids have become a real part of his life.
For anyone sitting on the fence about serving, his message is simple: give it a try! You might be surprised by what’s waiting on the other side of that open door.