Over a hundred and twenty-five years ago, people inspired by faith established VOA as a ‘church without walls’ and committed themselves to serving their neighbors who were living in poverty. Today, Volunteers of America’s church ministry continues to serve under-resourced communities and measures its success in positive changes in the lives of those we serve. We seek to serve the needs of the whole person—body, mind and spirit.
VOA is a national nonprofit organization with nearly 16,000 paid, professional employees dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Through our ministry we feed hungry households, house persons who have experienced homelessness, offer treatment, connect communities to end isolation, and provide social and spiritual support for over one million people around the country. The mission of Volunteers of America’s church ministry is to serve others and not to implant or convert others to a specific spiritual path or doctrine.
Ministry Services
The ministry of Volunteers of America Northern New England emphasizes spiritual exploration, the loving care of others, and a voice of reform against systemic oppressions.
A national poll indicates that Maine is the number one state in the nation under the category of Spiritual but not Religious. This unique status exemplifies independence, free thinking and an honoring of individuality in the area of spiritual expression. Here at Volunteers of America Northern New England we value the spiritual path of all our staff and residents. Our goal is always to meet people where they are and encourage unique spiritual expression as well as providing avenues of sharing community programming that is relevant, authentic and meaningful for everyone. Our organization does not proselytize or attempt to convert any person to a particular faith or creed.
Volunteers of America, as a church, has its historical roots in the Christian faith and many of our staff and residents share that expression of spirituality. Yet, we fully honor the many paths of spirituality, often as varied as individuals themselves. We value the inherent worth and dignity of all persons, the right of conscience, and the freedom to search individually or in community truth, meaning, and purpose. Our goals as a Ministry Team is to encourage spiritual exploration and expression. We also seek to offer programming that provides opportunities for those personal expressions while encouraging deeds that help the disenfranchised, the poor, elderly and so many others who feel they have no voice and who are suffering.
Why is spiritual expression important to a housing and social services organization? Simply put, research shows that those who have a spiritual path of some type, research shows, are happier and all around more content in their lives. Additionally, our experience has taught us that for many persons faith and spirituality is a foundation for well-being and healing. While we seek to not infer or dictate a particular path, we do encourage all to ponder the question of spirituality because we want everyone to live full and meaningful lives. So, we offer a spectrum of programming (reviewed below).
Further, the VOA Ministry Team engages in the legislative process to address and advocate for the needs of the broader community (elderly, children, addiction community, reentry from prisons, etc.).
The Ministry Team remains available to discuss our efforts and brainstorm how you might find avenues to express your moral voice while exploring your individual spiritual path.
Pastoral Care
VOA Northern New England’s ministry team includes commissioned ministers and ordained chaplains. VOA’s ministry team seeks to share God’s love and offer pastoral care. Our VOA Ministry team works to offer a spectrum of services and support to our program participants and staff members:
- One-to-one conversations and support regarding spiritual exploration and exercise
- Spiritual roundtable discussions
- Pray with you personally
- Chats with the Chaplain
- Group dynamic work and dialogue to facilitate spiritual exploration and healing
- Meditation Moments (email correspondences)
- Send cards and letters
- Weekly prayers and reflections to team members
- Pastoral Care
- Crisis intervention and support to grieving persons or persons experiencing traumatic events
- Rites of passage (weddings and funerals)
- Home blessings
- Activism through community organizing, participation in collaborative efforts, and lending voice to public policy reforms
- Moral Injury Training and group facilitations (more information below)
In short, our pastoral care team members seek to fill the spiritual needs of others and encourage their own independent exploration of the divine or one’s life purpose.
Meet the VOA Northern New England Ministry Team
Volunteers of America is a faith-based organization that honors the various and unique spirituality within our organization. As a church dedicated to service, we seek to meet the spiritual needs of clients, staff, and volunteers. Any staff member may become a minister.
Meet Our Ministers
Rich Hooks Wayman,
President & CEO
Kent Lipka
Mike Merrill
David Roderick
Becoming a Minister
Become a Constituent Member
Constituent members are dedicated to the work of Volunteers of America and commit to be an active member of their affiliate’s ministry. As members of the Volunteers of America Church, constituent members elect leaders to Volunteers of America’s National board of Directors and vote on proposed resolutions to the organization’s Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation.
Become a Minister
Constituent Ministers are volunteers who have been continuously and actively engaged with Volunteers of America for at least two years and are seeking to deepen their connection with our ministry. Commissioned ministers are Volunteers of America employees who embody Christian leadership. These ministers help support Volunteers of America’s ministry through compassion, knowledge, and active service of God.