Gateway goes! Short Term Missions are community-building opportunities to serve communities in tangible ways that also let us become a part of whatever community we are going to. Partnership is a key value for Gateway, and holistic service for sustainability is our goal. Click here for more information about upcoming mission trips.
Interfaith Hospitality Network (part of Foundation for the Homeless)
(Recommended for the Discover Season)
This program utilizes church facilities throughout Austin to provide housing for homeless families. One week each month, families reside in a church facility while the parents work, the children go to school, and the entire family works themselves out of homelessness into a permanent housing sitaution.
Gateway is partnering with two other churches (one north / one south) to assist these families. You can volunteer to bring a meal to the families (breakfast or dinner), spend the night at the other church facilities as a host, or assist with set up / clean up. Exact times will vary - depending on when our partner churches house the families.
To volunteer or get more info, email mobilization@gatewaychurch.com
Feed My People (part of Foundation for the Homeless)
(Recommended for the Discover Season)
This breakfast program provides a hot meal (eggs, meat & potatoes) to more than 600 downtown homeless individuals each week, and continues to grow. In addition to a hot meal, participants can also get a hair cut, find clothing, and perhaps find a job fo the day or get a bus pass.
Gateway teams will be helping at a few upcoming breakfasts. Volunteers might cook, serve food, clean up, talk to homeless people, hand out bus passes, etc. The breakfasts are held at the First United Methodist Church at 1201 Lavaca Street from 5:15 to 7:00am. Beat the traffic into Austin in the morning!
To volunteer or get more info, email mobilization@gatewaychurch.com
Smart Start (after-school program)
(Recommended for the Discover or Develop Seasons)
Build relationships with and provide support ot elementary students in the St. John neighborhood in east Astin through recreation time, homework help, and Bible study. Volunteers serve one afternoon a month or week (Monday thru Thursday from 3-5:30pm) at Pickle Elementary (near St. John's Ave & Providence).
To volunteer or get more info, email cns@gatewaychurch.com
Mission Possible Tutoring (for Gateway's southies)
(Recommended for the Discover Season)
Help a group of elementary students with homework and lead Bible study on either Monday, Wednesday, or Friday afternoons from 3-5pm. Volunteers serve at Mission Possible (located at 11th Street and Chicon Avenue in east Austin) during the school year.
To volunteer or get more info, email plunge@gatewaychurch.com
Weekend Service on the Border - High-Impact Trip
(Recommended for the Discover Season)
Take a serving trip to the Mexico border, being involved with kids activities and working with a local church. Medical personnel are encouraged to come! A team from Gateway will be traveling to the Mexico border from March 7-9, 2008. Cost will be approximately $200.
To volunteer or get more info, email stmissions@gatewaychurch.com
Side-By-Side Mentoring (with Community New Start)
(Recommended for the Develop Season)
Develop a safe relationship with a middle school or high school student in which important mental, emtoional, and spiritual growth can be cultivated and encouraged. Mentors meet wtih students from the St. John neighborhood in east Austin at times/locations that are convenient for both the mentor and student (for instance, during the lunch hour at the school). Mentors commit a minimum of one hour a week. Opportunities are avaialble during lunch, after school, and on weekends. 1-hour training sessions are provided by Community New Start.
To volunteer or get more info, email cns@gatewaychurch.com
Serving an individual with HIV in Austin
(Recommended for the Develop Season)
Be part of a team from Gateway working through Care Communities that is caring for an individual in Austin with HIV/AIDS. Volunteers will have a clear opportunity to be Christ's hands and feet, showing love to someone else. Activites range from delivering food, driving someone to the doctor, picking up medicines, or just spending time getting to know someone.
To volunteer or get more info, email mobilization@gatewaychurch.com
Dominican Republic High-Impact Trip (October 2008)
(Recommended for the Develop Season)
Gateway is partnering with two churches in the Dominican Republic which are a lot like Gateway -- where "no perfect people are allowed." These churches are led by pastors who are trying to transofrm their communities. Joining this trip, in October 2008, will bring you in on the ground floor of these new partnerships and help you understand life from a Latin American perspective. Details about the trip are being formed right now. Cost will be approximately $1400 (transportation/room/board).
To volunteer or get more info, email stmissions@gatewaychurch.com
Austin East Side High-Impact Trip (May 2008)
(Recommended for the Develop Season)
See another part of the city you live in during the Plunge Weekend, coming up the third weekend in May. Immerse yourself in the challenges that face certain populations right here in Austin, and be part of a team working to make a difference.
To volunteer or get more info, email plunge@gatewaychurch.com
Small Groups Mobilization Team
(Recommended for the Deepen Season)
Become a leader with Gateway's mobilization team to help small groups make an impact on the lives of people they are surrounded by each day. Members of the Small Group Moblilization Team help Gateway's small groups through the process of equipping, encouraging an dchallenging them to get involved in their community. Time committment for volunteers on this team varies by the number of small groups they will work wtih. Expect to spend 2-5 hours per week. Training will be scheduled as soon as 5 volunteers are available.
To volunteer or get more info, email mobilization@gatewaychurch.com
Local Moblization Team
(Recommended for the Deepen Season)
Join the new local compassion team at Gateway, developing partnerships, learning the needs of the city, and setting the direction for local outreach. Volunteer time committment will be up to 10 hours per month - with meetings once a month plus work with different organizations in Austin.
To volunteer or get more info, email mobilization@gatewaychurch.com
Global Partnership Team
(Recommended for the Deepen Season)
Join the new global compassion team at Gateway, developing partnerships, learning the needs of our partner ministires, and setting the direction for global outreach. Volunteer time committment will be up to 10 hours per month - with meetings once a month plus work with sub-teams about country-specific or issue-specific needs.
To volunteer or get more info, email mobilization@gatewaychurch.com
Care Connections Leader
(Recommended for the Deepen Season)
Lead an organize a team from Gateway who want to care for an individual in Austin living with HIV/AIDS. 2-hour training will be provided by Care Communities, and leaders will also be briefed on how to care for the other volunteers along with being approved as a leader at Gateway.
To volunteer or get more info, email mobilization@gatewaychurch.com
Short Term Serving Trip Leadership
(Recommended for the Deepen Season)
There are many opportunities for qualified leaders to take the Gateway family to see what God is doing in other parts of our city and world. Volunteers will receive training on holistic partnerships and mission, how to be an effective leader, the challenges in cross-cultural partnerships and dependency issues, and developing yourself as a Christ-follower in the world. Volunteers will be trained and also must be approved as leaders at Gateway.
To volunteer or get more info, email mobilization@gatewaychurch.com
Community Care
(Recommended for the Deepen Season)
Empower individuals and families in need by walkign hand-in-hand, while encouraging spiritual, social, and economic strength. Several different serving opportunities within Community Care are listed below.
For more info on any area, email CommunityCare@gatewaychurch.com
Career Counseling:
*Provide support by finding realistic job leads for people within the church & community.
Labor of Love:
*Provide assistance to low-income individuals and families through home and vehicle repairs.
Cares:
*When we are experiencing life-crisis, a kind word or note of encouragement makes all the difference. Cares volunteers attend Sunday services with people, prepare food baskets, visit hospitals, write cards, and pray with people in need.
Home Location:
*Be an advocate for allowances from property managers to give people a second chance regarding housing. Coordinate resources for housing opportunities, and provide kind words and the desire to help someone who may have lost their home.