When Katie Klingbeil and her family first came to Church on the Hill in the spring of 2024, they were looking for a church home. Their oldest child was finishing K4 at Sugar Hill Christian Preschool, and as they began attending COTH, one thing quickly stood out: the way their children were welcomed and loved.

“Our kids were so welcomed into Children’s Ministry at COTH that it felt very natural to want to be part of something that loves kids so well,” Katie shares.

But there was something else Katie was looking for, too: community.

And she knew one of the best ways to find it was to serve.

“I was looking for community and have often found that serving together is a great way to find it!”

Saying Yes

Katie began finding places where she could use her gifts and simply lend a hand. Today, she teaches the 2-year-old Sunday School class once a month, helps prepare preschool and elementary Sunday School curriculum, and recently began playing with the orchestra and singing with the choir.

This summer, she also served on the Second Mile Care Team during WinShape Camps, an experience that showed her just how much can happen when the whole church goes ALL IN together.

“Working at WinShape Camp this year was a real highlight for me. It was awesome to feel like we were all part of something so big and important for the kingdom of God.”

But the impact went beyond the week of camp.

WinShape gave Katie an opportunity to serve alongside people from different generations and different areas of the church, people she may never have met otherwise.

“And now, on a Sunday morning, I have all these ‘WinShape friends’ that I didn’t have before.”

That’s what can happen when we serve together.

A simple yes becomes a new friendship. A volunteer role becomes a place to belong. And people who once passed each other in the hallway begin to know one another by name.

More Than Volunteering

For Katie, serving was about helping Church on the Hill become home, not simply serving a need.

“It has brought me so much joy to get to be even a small part of what God is doing through the ministries at COTH! I’ve made so many connections through volunteering, and it has really helped COTH feel like home for us.”

That sense of community reflects what ALL IN is all about. Following Jesus isn’t something we were meant to do alone. As we offer our gifts, time, and talents to God, He uses them not only to impact others but also to grow and connect us.

And Katie’s gifts extend beyond Sunday mornings. An English teacher by training, she currently teaches Literature Enrichment classes online while raising her young children. She also loves to bake—“my love language is feeding people,” she says—and her family proudly embraces their love of Disney, Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and all things nerdy.

There’s a Place for You

For someone standing on the sidelines wondering whether serving is for them, Katie understands that taking the first step can feel intimidating.

“Sometimes it can be hard to step out and do something outside your comfort zone, but I can tell you firsthand that it’s such a great first step to feeling that sense of belonging.”

Her encouragement is simple:

“There is a place for you at COTH!”

Going ALL IN doesn’t mean you have to do everything. It can begin by simply finding one place to say yes.

One Sunday. One team. One opportunity to use what God has given you.

And you might discover that while you came looking for a place to serve, God was also leading you toward people who would help make this place feel like home.

Ready to take your next step? There’s a place for you. Learn more about the different opportunities to serve.

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