Batavia, New York Jun 1, 2025 (Issuewire.com) - The City Church of Batavia, NY, is raising awareness about the quiet, powerful impact of everyday service. Lead Pastor Ryan Macdonald is encouraging individuals, families, and neighbors to embrace small, consistent acts of kindness as a way to strengthen communities and grow in faith.
Ministry doesnt start with a stageit starts with showing up, says Pastor Macdonald. My first job in church was setting up chairs. That small task taught me that even the quiet jobs matter. That mindset has stayed with me ever since.
The church is not launching a campaign or program. Instead, it is using its platform to remind people that anyoneregardless of age, background, or beliefcan contribute to a more compassionate world simply by starting where they are.
Research supports the importance of these simple gestures. A recent Harvard Health study found that people who regularly help others report higher life satisfaction, lower stress, and better health outcomes. Yet, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about 23% of Americans volunteered in 2021a 17-year low.
Pastor Ryan, who has led The City Church and St. Anthonys for over two decades, says that real transformation doesnt happen all at onceit happens over time, through intentional choices.
Growth isnt always loud. It looks like patience, generosity, consistency. Thats what we should be paying attention to, he says.
He encourages people to take action not by doing more, but by being more presentat home, at work, and in their communities.
You dont need a title to make a difference, he explains. You just need a willingness to serve. Hold a door. Make the call. Say the kind word. Thats where change begins.
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Ryan and his family serve together at The City Church, where his wife Samantha, directs the BIG Kids ministry and their two sons volunteer regularly. For them, service isnt a separate activityits part of their life.
We dont serve because we have to, he adds. We serve because thats how love moves.
Why It Matters Now
As loneliness and disconnection rise, simple, intentional service can be a powerful antidote. The National Institutes of Health reports that loneliness increases the risk of heart disease, depression, and early death. But even small acts of kindnesslike helping a neighbor or offering a listening earcan significantly improve well-being for both the giver and the receiver.
God meets people in honest moments, not perfect ones, says Macdonald. Were not asking anyone to do everything. Just do something. Start small.
What You Can Do
The City Church invites people to look for one wayjust oneto serve someone else this week. It could be a kind word to a coworker, checking in on a neighbor, or offering to help a stranger. The goal is simple: make compassion part of your daily routine.
You dont have to wait to be ready, says Pastor Ryan. Start where you are. Thats enough.
For more reflections and practical ideas for serving others, visit: www.thecitychurch.com
Media Contact:
The City Church
210 East Main Street
Batavia, NY 14020
Phone: (585) 343-6895
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.thecitychurch.com
About The City Church
The City Church is a Christian multi-campus church located in Batavia, New York. Founded in the late 1990s, the church offers weekly worship services, youth and childrens programs, and community outreach. Led by Pastor Ryan Macdonald, the church emphasizes practical faith, family involvement, and service to others.
Source :The City Church
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