The Spencers, Jordan, Kira, Chloe and Scarlet, are selling their house and most of their possessions to perform ministry work throughout the world. The REALiFE Church is currently hosting a shoe drive fundraiser to raise money for the Spencers ministry work. Submitted photo

A Jamestown family is planning to sell their house and most of their earthly possessions to focus on making a positive impact on the world.

Jordan and Kira Spencer, along with their daughters, Chloe and Scarlet, will be leaving their home in Chautauqua County for Kona, Hawaii, in September. Unlike most people visiting Hawaii, the Spencers won’t be going for the white sand beaches or to swim with the dolphins, but instead they’re traveling nearly 5,000 miles to attend the Youth With A Mission University of Nations to train for six months for ministry work.

“We want to take what we are good at, our talents and gifts, and find ways to focus that on making an impact on the world,” Jordan Spencer said. “We want to share the love of Christ with people we come in contact with.”

This isn’t the first time the Spencers have visited other parts of the world to help those less fortunate on mission work. Jordan Spencer said he has gone to Israeli once; Jamaica twice, once with Kira; and once to the Dominican Republican, with his wife and Chloe.

“We’ve been doing this together for a number of years,” Jordan Spencer said. “The different environments that people are growing up in around the world are so drastically different than what we have here in the U.S. We understand how blessed we’ve been.”

Unlike past mission trips, the Spencers won’t be returning to Chautauqua County for the foreseeable future. Kira Spencer said they have done church missions in the past, but now they have felt the transition in their spirits and hearts to start ministry work.

“We could not be more excited about what he has in store in this adventure, and to do it as family,” she said. “To share the hope and love of Christ is one of the best gifts that we could receive here on earth. We’ve made the choice to sell everything and give our kids a chance to experience different cultures and religions.”

Also, unlike past mission trips, the Spencers won’t know where they are going to perform their ministry work until their training is completed.

“This is just the beginning of the process. We don’t now where we are going after training. We don’t know how long we will be doing it for,” Jordan Spencer said. “A lot of the communities are in Third World countries that have a lot of needs. We will be going to any number of places to help, to assist communities in practical ways. Whether its building houses or digging a well, we will be a part of that.”

Kira Spencer said there is great anticipation not knowing where they will be going after their training.

“When we arrive, he will unveil the next step,” she said. “We are going with open hands to wherever we are needed, for whatever he wants us to do. We have a ‘Yes’ written on our hearts.”

SHOE DRIVE FUNDRAISER

To help the Spencers on their ministry work, the REALiFE Church, where Jordan Spencer is an associate pastor, is hosting a shoe drive fundraiser through Sunday, July 25. People are encouraged to donate gently worn, used and new shoes at REALiFE Church, Sweet Repeats or Studio D Catering food truck along with weekly pop-up locations of local businesses.

REALiFE Church will earn money based on the total weight of the shoes collected, as Funds2Orgs will issue a check for the collected shoes. All donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of small business partners. Funds2Orgs works with micro-entrepreneurs in helping them create, maintain and grow small businesses in developing countries where economic opportunity and jobs are limited. Proceeds from the sales of the shoes collected in shoe drive fundraisers are used to feed, clothe and house their families.

Heleena Walter, coordinator for REALiFE Church, said a pop-up event will happen Tuesday at Studio D Catering, where on that specific day there will be a taco special for anyone bringing a pair of shoes. Also, on Friday, July 23, there will be a pop-up event at Farmer Brown’s Beef & More in Lakewood, where there will also be a special for anyone bringing shoes to donate.

Walter said there will also be a shoe drive scavenger hunt Saturday, July 17, starting at 11 a.m. at REALiFE Church, located at 556 E. Second St. She said the scavenger hunt will take place throughout the city. She added that it’s $25 a car to enter and there will be pizza and prizes at the end of the scavenger hunt.

“We are excited about our shoe drive,” Walter said. “We know that most people have extra shoes in their closets they would like to donate to us. By doing so, we raise money for the Spencer family to go into the mission field, and we have the chance to help families in developing nations who need economic opportunities. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

For more information about the Spencers and their ministry work, visit lightupthedark.info.