Volunteers
Volunteers do more than just good work when they connect with Volunteers in Global Service
Volunteer and Board Member Reverend Jon Brown at Olive Harvest, Bethlehem
We are delighted that each volunteer reports a deep personal sense of gratitude and even joy as the fruits of their experiences unfold over time. The first Volunteers in Global Service (VGS) focus areas: climate change, the arts and faith, sexuality and the sacred, critical analysis of the U.S. political situation, the complexities of the Middle East, Central American land and water issues, and theological education in Cuba show VGS people at the heart of vital movements to create a just and loving world. We acknowledge that we are far from it. But the work of VGS people has impact, and that impact is multiplied geometrically as our network grows.
If all our volunteers did was go home and report to their local communities what they have seen and heard, it might be enough. But they bring useful skills, open minds, and willing hearts to regions and issues of a troubled world in order to contribute to “making all things new” (Revelations 21:5). By all reports from collaborating groups on the ground, they make a difference.
What to expect when volunteering with VGS
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Shared values
You can be sure that the group you are volunteering with shares your values of non-violence, justice, peace, and interfaith dialogue.
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Support
You have the confidence that the VGS Board and friends support you in your volunteer opportunity, especially by helping with logistics.
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Community
You have a ready audience for your reflections as your experiences of sharing across cultures and countries unfold.
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Network
You become part of the growing network that is VGS during and after your placement.
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Impact
All of this adds spiritual as well as practical dimensions to your work abroad, creating global networks that sustain and multiply their efforts.
Current volunteer opportunities
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Silver Spring, MD
Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual (WATER)
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Tenafly, NJ
Presbyterian Church at Tenafly
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Bethlehem, Palestine
Diyar Academy for Children & Youth and Dar Al-Kalima University of Arts and Culture
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Bangalore, India
Visthar Academy
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Jerusalem, Israel
Tantur Study Center
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Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
CEIPA
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Virtual - Communications
The Ebenezer Institute for Learning (Ebenezer School) in Malawi and the Ebenezer Support Committee in the Presbytery of Western North Carolina (PWNC)
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Nkhoma, Malawi
The Ebenezer Institute for Learning (Ebenezer School) in Malawi along with the Presbytery of Western North Carolina (PWNC)
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Volunteer Virtually
Various organizations
The Volunteers in Global Service experience
“Truly this is a place of wonder. Truly this is a place where young people can wonder and experience the true value of their worth and the potential for their future. The empty space of their own lives are filled with joy, hope, dreams and expectation. Yes, it is a place of wonder.”
— Volunteer at The Diyar Academy for Children and Youth in Bethlehem, Palestine
“It was an extraordinary week for me. Many deep feelings of gratitude for how giving and honest the young girls were in creating their theatre play. Together, we all indeed did fly to our dream. And amazingly enough, we began under a Neem Tree and we ended, under a Neem Tree!! Indeed the Goddess was with us.” '
— Victoria Rue, volunteer at Visthar in Bangalore, India
“The greatest treasures, by far, have been the people I met here. Tantur welcomes a never-ending stream of fascinating people from countless political, geographic and religious backgrounds. Quickly, we grow uncommonly close through heartfelt conversations – scholars and spiritual or justice seekers who dream of finding hope for just resolutions to the region’s conflicts, and common ground among the world’s religions. We have diverse goals but share a passion for knowing other cultures.”
— Kathleen Schatzberg, volunteer at Tantur in Jerusalem, Israel
Apply to join VGS as a volunteer
