Employment Services missionaries change lives

When Elder Owen Romeril from Covington, Louisiana, was called to a service mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he began with doing temple ordinance work, working for a neighborhood hospice organization and serving at his local bishops’ storehouse — which led to a chance serving on the nearby Employment Services office.

He answers phone calls on the office and connects individuals with resources equivalent to one-on-one coaching, webinars and the Active Job Search program, also available at Employment.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

As he has helped people who find themselves in search of a recent job or a greater one, he has learned much that will help his family and his future — and his testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ has increased.

“I’ve learned that it’s not about me,” Elder Romeril said, and pointed to Matthew 16:25, which reads, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”

The young missionary said he didn’t realize how many individuals he would have the ability to assistance on his mission.

“I’ve been in a position to influence loads of people and I’ve been in a position to help my family. …I’ve learned that if you find yourself serving, there are loads of things you’ll be able to do and God will magnify that. It isn’t really about you, nevertheless it is about being an instrument in His hands.”

Richard and Sheryl Pannell recently finished a mission with Employment Services in Houston, Texas. They said their very own lives were modified as they saw how their efforts modified others’ lives — they felt like they were acting because the Lord’s partner.

“We are truly walking in His footsteps. Those we help come to know God’s love for them, and we come to know Him more fully.

“We are grateful for the Lord’s love of humanity and the chance to walk with Him, where we’re in a position to see His children grow in self-worth, and identity as a beloved son or daughter of God,” they wrote in a LinkedIn post for the Church about their mission.

Employment missionaries support those that are in search of recent or higher employment in order that they don’t should undergo their job search alone. They coach individuals one on one and in groups, teach effective job search skills, provide encouragement and help individuals construct confidence.

Speaking on the phone was once difficult for Elder Romeril. But he has turn into way more comfortable with it within the yr he has been serving at Employment Services. He has also learned time management skills as he balances different service opportunities and responsibilities on different days. Every experience on his mission, he realizes, is for his good.

And as he and the opposite Employment Services missionaries help individuals with their employment — whether or not they’re a member of the Church — Elder Romeril knows the work is of God.

“It helps to actually show the title that Christ has of the Good Shepherd, how He is at all times reaching out to everybody and desires to bring everyone in. … Christ is gathering His people now, and He’s using us to assist everyone with their employment, irrespective of what stage they’re at.”

Besides encouraging anyone who needs job help to achieve out to Employment Services, Elder Romeril also desires to encourage other people to serve a mission.

“It’s a way we can provide back to God who has given us all the things,” he said. “It’s also a superb method to disconnect from the world and business of life and really catch up with to God … to let that enable you grow spiritually and let it anchor you within the gospel in order that after you’re done together with your mission, you’ll be able to still have that with you.”

Couples who’re fascinated with becoming an Employment Services missionary can visit that section of seniormissionary.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Young men and young women fascinated with a service mission can talk with their bishop and stake president and discover more at ChurchofJesusChrist.org/service-missionary.