by Andy Shin

An aspect that I love about this group is that it operates behind the scenes of everyday ministry. Even writing this article actually goes against what I appreciate about the team since it brings attention to us. However, many may not be familiar with the cleaning ministry and what it does, so our hope is that this would be a way for the church to learn more about the ministry and pray for us.

This is a group of about 25 faithful servants who work in rotations on the weekends to maintain the church facilities. Our weekly tasks include vacuuming the carpet throughout the church, cleaning the restrooms, taking out the trash, and wiping down all surfaces. Each category comes with its respective list of tasks that need to be completed, and depending on the condition of each facility, can be simple or…challenging.

Something that brings me great joy and encouragement is seeing fellow brothers and sisters who are not only willing to take time out of their busy schedules to come clean the church, but also doing it with cheerful attitudes. Volunteering to do janitorial work and giving up time on the weekends is not something most people are eager to do. But it’s been such a blessing to see so many come and serve in a way that truly goes against the thinking of this world. There isn’t much prestige in scrubbing toilets or taking out the trash, but one thing we try to keep in mind is that it’s a privilege to do even these things. By the grace of God, we’ve been able to play this role in the life of the church. It may not be the coolest part of the body or most commended, but knowing that we’re sinners saved by grace and given the opportunity to help in the ultimate goal of the church is definitely cool.

Unlike most ministries, because of the low-profile, I believe there is less of a struggle to do things for the attention and approval of others. However, similar to many ministries in the church, there can be a tendency to make efficiency and completion our main priorities. Unfortunately, this can happen very easily with manual labor. Oftentimes, I concentrate more on the task at hand and lose sight of why we serve and who we’re serving. This is also correlated to our joy as we serve. I am frequently reminded of how we’re still sinful people. We may have the right intentions, yet we mess it up. But it is encouraging to know that God would still use us for His plan, sustain us, and sanctify us along the way.

Please pray that we’d faithfully serve with joy and out of a heart that loves Christ and His church. Also, please pray about joining the team. There is currently a need for additional people. Finally, if you have any concerns or recommendations on how we can improve our work, please feel free to contact me. Thank you!