Larry is a dedicated volunteer leader who has been involved for many years with Compassion Connect Arizona and the Compassion Queen Creek Clinic. His compassion for his neighbors who are struggling wells up from a deep place of empathy and his own experiences of poverty and homelessness. But with divine help, strong relationships, and love, Larry has overcome much in his life and is now blessing others with what he has been given! The following is part of his story.
Revelation 12:11 says; “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”
Everyone has challenges throughout their lives. Some of mine come into perfect alignment with the mission of Compassion Connect Arizona and the Compassion Queen Creek event. I was homeless for a time in the 1990’s. This occurred during a time when I had backslid from my relationship with Jesus Christ.
During this time I relied on many of the community organizations in Wichita, Kansas. They provided my basic need of food and shelter; however, the greatest need that was met was love. Total strangers would show the unconditional and non-judgmental love that I needed at a time when I was hypersensitive and embarrassed about my life situation.
“Total strangers would show the unconditional and non-judgmental love that I needed at a time when I was hypersensitive and embarrassed about my life situation.”
These genuine acts of love resonated and found a deep place within my heart. After restoring my relationship with Jesus, I’ve since looked for genuine opportunities to show that type of love to people. Many of them are not on drugs or criminals as society would characterize them, but are the working poor, the down on their luck or just have had a bad break in life. I know this person, because I’m still them in my heart.
Why Volunteering?
Initially, I had attempted to serve since the beginning of Compassion Queen Creek. However, I could never get anyone to cover my shift so I could take weekends off, so I missed the first four events. In 2017 my shift changed to having weekends off and the opportunity to lead the Greeter’s was presented. I prayerfully considered it and the Lord was gracious enough to allow it.
The desire to come back is based on the blessing to be allowed to be a part of it. As long as God keeps giving me the opportunity to serve Him and His people in this way, I’m all in.
The value in the ministry of Compassion Queen Creek is limitless. The second that I see a ceiling or a finality of our purpose, is the day that Jesus comes for us or I go to meet Him in glory. There’s always work to be done here.
Our belief should follow God’s purpose and promise shown in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” We’re brokers of truth and God provides us with divine opportunities to live out His truth in so many ways.
In Compassion Queen Creek, He’s allowing His attributes of grace, love, service and unity to be displayed by His Holy church, I’m honored and blessed that this is being revealed to us.
Personally, I’ve been entrusted with the task of an administrator and that of a cheerleader simultaneously. I get so excited to see people have the opportunity to succeed in their gifts; this is what brings me joy! I’d be happy just pushing a broom for Compassion Queen Creek and I would have the same joy, I’ve really learned the aspect of godly service and the pure joy associated with it. I’m truly living my dream to give back something to God for the great gift that He gave me at the cross!
Larry (center) serving at Compassion Queen Creek 2019
Ripple Effects of Unity
The uniqueness of our location with the urban and rural, the incorporated and unincorporated areas, reveals itself in a dazzling array of people from all walks of life. God has given the vision and we are ALL pieces in the puzzle. From students, farmers, dentists, ministry leaders, retirees, business owners and the like, each person has accepted the responsibility to offer their particular piece so that the vision can be fulfilled. This is not achieved through self or compulsion, it is only achieved through true and intentional agape love that unifies us.
The far reaching effect on my home church, True Glory Ministries, is that we have embraced that sense of community in that we as a smaller congregation can partner with our brothers and sisters locally and bring great glory to the Lord. This permeates itself throughout our community of churches.
The “we’re all on the same team” mentality is a true reflection of the Kingdom of God operating in its full power and authority here on Earth, so that the essence of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior over all is revealed to the entire world. This is what the unified church looks like and Compassion Queen Creek is the place where it exists for all to see.
At this year’s event there was a man who kept circling around the area that I was standing in having a conversation. Finally, I asked him if I could help him. While jumping up and down and with great passion and tears he exclaimed “My 23 year old son just gave his life to Jesus Christ, YAAAAASSS!!!”
The “we’re all on the same team” mentality is a true reflection of the Kingdom of God operating in its full power and authority here on Earth[…] This is what the unified church looks like and Compassion Queen Creek is the place where it exists for all to see.”
This is the total justification of our event. If God had put this event together for just this one soul, that shows how much He loves us and desires for us to be with Him forever. There can never be a price high enough for a soul saved. It always makes me think how much value God places on our souls…priceless!
Learning & Growing through Serving
In the years that I’ve been a part of Compassion Connect Arizona I’ve graduated from junior high all the way to a PhD. The greatest thing that I’ve been taught is that even in this day and age, people genuinely care about others and if you give them opportunity and a great place to serve they’ll ALWAYS exceed even your highest expectations.
In my faith, my growth has definitely been two-fold. First, I’ve had to grow in faith to trust the process of planning and executing such a large event. God sets high standards and expects you to reach them. The absolute glory of God is that He empowers me to reach those lofty standards.
Lastly, be careful what you ask God for! When God says yes, the journey is usually at warp speed and full of unknowns and if you take your eyes off Jesus for one second, you immediately see the challenges of leading a group of people who are depending on you to make the correct decisions. All thoughts and decisions begin and end with Jesus Christ.
-Larry Hunter
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