saint john’s lutheran church

MAY DISCIPLE OF THE MONTH:

WARREN HYNES

How long have you been a member of Saint John’s? 
I have been a member of Saint John’s since 2016 and have been a volunteer ever since joining this church.

What is your main focus in volunteering your time at Saint John’s? 
My primary focus has been social justice and social ministry, as I find giving and service to be at the heart of how I define myself as a Christian.

What initially interested you in this work? 
When I was in the Zion Lutheran Church youth group in Staten Island, NY, a pastor by the name of LeRoy Ness would bring us to the Staten Island Ferry on Friday nights, where we would hand out sandwiches to the hundreds of homeless men and women on both the Staten Island and Manhattan sides of the ferry. Pastor Ness, who was a Vietnam veteran, was fearless in his service and wanted the teenagers he cared for to see what need looked like, and to engage directly with homeless individuals. That experience, coupled with my own parents’ selfless giving, helped shape my commitment to genuine service and advocacy for those who are in need.

What made you decide to offer this skill/talent to the Saint John’s community on a volunteer basis?
I have found that my volunteer work is guided by what I hear and see when reading the Gospels. I continually find myself reading the story of God on Earth committing Himself to others, whatever the cost.