We’re so thankful for ALL that God has done in us & through us in  our first year of Submerge — thank you to everyone who has been a part of it through giving, praying, serving, inviting others, supporting, & cheering us on!

In the middle of summer, we got a group of volunteers mid-day (kids too!) to join some school staff at OB Elementary School in weeding and cleaning up their garden. We love experiencing God through working outside, working in the dirt with our hands, bringing beauty to a place, and forming new friendships. And now the garden will be ready for the kids in the new school year!

We try to be the hands & feet of Jesus for big community events, for lots of local businesses & schools, and for the individuals in need, so they can feel “seen” by God. In place of our usual co-ed Life Group meeting one Tuesday night, we encouraged our group members (and invited other friends) to show up to do a radical cleanup up of a guy’s yard we met–he’s elderly and has limited movement, so walking down his stairs to his driveway every day through overgrown trees & bushes was dangerous. We had 17 volunteers come help and in one evening we got it entirely cleared out, & paid to have it all hauled away. Now it’s safer for him to get around his house/yard, and he can finally have the sun shining through his front door again!

We love supporting the biggest annual event in OB each year–the OB Street Fair & Chili Cook-off, and this year we were involved in lots of ways! We co-sponsored the Community Mural project that happens all day and invites hundreds of neighbors to “make their mark” on a mural that will hang in our town for decades to come. We also co-sponsored the Dirty Birds Wings Eating Contest (where our own pastor competed!), and donated a large gift through that to the OB Clean & Safe Committee. And we sponsored two booths in the main area, where we met lots of people and gave away lots of free stuff!

At the annual OB Kite Festival this year, we got to add to the fun by providing a free kids’ craft for all the families to participate in, and we helped with set up of other booths, met lots of people, and connect with even more organizations!

This year we joined the newly formed group OB Beautification Initiative who recruits community volunteers to help beautify lots of areas around our town. We started by cleaning up and planting lots of new stuff along the entrance to OB (on Sunset Cliffs Dr, just past the sign), and have donated lots of plants and lots of hours!

After a big shed on the property of the OB Women’s Club was destroyed with recent storms, the community rallied around them to donate funds to replace it (Submerge Church was one of the biggest donors). Then we sent Submerge volunteers for a full Saturday to build them a brand new one. They were blown away by our generosity of time & service and are excited to continue partnering in the future!

“Thank you so much for coming to our aid with our shed! Everyone is so grateful!”

During the 2022-2023 school year, we put a “needs request” box in the teacher mailroom at OB Elementary, so we teachers could request things they need (but can’t afford) for their classroom, and for families they know are struggling. Thanks to the generosity of many Submergers, we’ve been able to meet a whole bunch of needs for classrooms, families, teachers, and kids throughout the school year!

“The kids were so thankful!  Their wonder projects came out beautiful on the boards you provided. My sincere thanks.”
“You are truly angels on Earth.  Thank you for your kindness from the bottom of my heart.”
“Thank you! Love this wonderful connection. It’s like having our own Make a Wish foundation! I really appreciate you and your congregation!”

We love partnering with the OBMA and all they do in our town, and so far this year we helped sponsor the OB Earth Day Cleanup by donating funds & bringing a big crew of volunteer, have helped put up & take down holiday decorations, and co-sponsored one of their monthly Sundowners. It’s a great way to stay connected with local businesses.