In Indiana, Summer Service worker opens doors for church

ELKHART, Indiana.— As an MCC U.S. Summer Service worker in 2004, Sarah Thompson knocked on hundreds of doors near Prairie Street Mennonite Church in Elkhart, Indiana.

She asked residents about their neighborhood, what issues face them and what they believe should happen to an 83-year-old elementary school building when a new elementary school opens. As officials decided the fate of the old building, which remains a hub of the community, Thompson's work provides a valuable record of neighborhood voices.

But it also paves the way for the church to deepen relations with the community. "Sarah helped open our eyes to the possibilities for some ministry right here and showed us what can happen," said pastor Andrew Kreider.