For Deborah Jetton, saying yes to serving became the place where she discovered her identity and purpose in Christ.

"I found who I am in Christ through serving," she shares. "God has shown me that being where I serve Him as my life focus is who I was meant to be. That is worth being ALL IN."

An Invitation That Changed Everything

About fifteen years ago, Deborah moved to Suwanee and began searching for a church home. Then, what she describes as an "accidental" invitation changed everything.

"I was invited to a women's event by someone who knew someone who planned to attend," she laughs. "Turns out I had already decided to visit Church on the Hill before I even received that invite. God had a plan, right?"

That unexpected invitation brought Deborah into a community where she grew in faith, built meaningful relationships, and began discovering God's purpose for her life.

Saying Yes to Serving

For much of her life, Deborah searched for fulfillment through family, relationships, work, and accomplishments. Though she was successful in many areas, something still felt missing.

"I spent most of my life being 'all in' trying to find who I was meant to be with God on the side," she says. "My faith was part of the ride through life, but not the main focus."

Everything changed when she began serving.

Church leaders welcomed her wherever she raised her hand to help, and through volunteering she began to experience God's presence in a deeper way.

"It was like He was saying, 'Come on, Deborah, here I AM. Come be with Me.' His work was not tiring or empty. It was there that I found who I am in Christ."

The One Person You Never Forget

Over the years, Deborah has served in countless ways: assisting with missions, leading a D-Group, helping with funeral and memorial services, leading the WinShape Camp laundry team, mentoring young mothers, and coaching young women in leadership.

When asked about a meaningful serving experience, one particular story immediately came to mind.

Years ago, during Summer Sack Lunch camp, Deborah and a few volunteers welcomed a young boy who was struggling with behavior issues. It would have been easy to ask him not to return.

Instead, they chose a different response.

"We made a conscious decision to pray over him and trust the Lord."

As the week went on, they gave him opportunities to lead, help, and be heard.

"He thrived. His whole personality changed. We got hugs instead of threatening remarks."

The young man participated in worship, read Scripture, and became one of the kindest campers there.

"God did that," Deborah says. "I saw planting seeds of kindness, respect, and genuine caring turn him into a changed young man."

She still thinks about him and prays for him today.

"The real meaning from volunteering is that one person you can't forget. I hope he remembers we cared about him."

Changed Through Serving

As Deborah poured into others, God was quietly doing His own work within her.

"Volunteering has grounded me in the Lord," she says. "It has matured me spiritually, given me friendships I trust, and taught me to see people through the eyes of Scripture instead of opinion and judgment."

It has also brought healing, peace, patience, and a deeper desire to become the person God created her to be.

“Through serving, I've seen the difference Christ makes in a person's life. Those experiences have only strengthened my conviction that everyone needs the hope, salvation, and fullness of life that can be found only through Him.”

Her Encouragement to You

For anyone considering taking a step into serving, Deborah doesn't hesitate:

"Do it now. Don't think about whether you have the skills, interest, or time. Just step up and make yourself available. Someone needs you. Just be present. God will take care of the rest."

At Church on the Hill, we believe God often meets us in the places where we serve. Deborah's story is a reminder that serving is never one-sided. As God works through us, He is also shaping and transforming us.

Maybe your next step isn't about having all the answers or all the abilities.

Maybe it's simply saying yes.

Because when we're ALL IN, God does more than we could ever imagine.

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