Roving Volunteers in Christ's Service
A retirement program like no other
Serving Christian ministries since 1977
Roving Volunteers in Christ's Service
A retirement program like no other
Serving Christian ministries since 1977
Roving Volunteers in Christ's Service (“RVICS”) is a non-denominational Christian ministry people who are retired or semi-retired, free to travel, and willing to volunteer their skills and talents at Christian Ministries throughout the United States and Canada. The Ministries supply the materials needed for the work projects. The RVICS Missionary Members are self-supporting, live in a recreational vehicle (travel trailer, 5th wheel trailer, motor home), and provide the necessary labor. Some of their skills include, but are not limited to, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, painting, office work, sewing, library work, and tutoring.
The founders of RVICS, Inc., Henry and Margaret Schaeffer, have laid a good,
scriptural foundation … Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
;
James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith,
and have not works?
; James 1:22 be doers of the Word and not hearers only.
RVICS projects are scheduled January through June. They resume in September, continuing through November, followed by a winter break for approximately a month. Each RVICS team has up to 12 missionaries, with assigned trained Team Leaders. The Team Leaders’ responsibility is to coordinate the service to be accomplished at each project, and act as liaison between the team members and the Project Host.
Projects are typically 3 weeks long, with time allowed for travel from one project to the next. Project Hosts are committed to provide recreational vehicle sites with water, sewer and electrical hook-ups at no cost. RVICS Members are responsible for their own expenses for food, gasoline, LP gas, clothing, safety equipment, tools and all accident and hospital insurance needs.
The first two weeks of a project, the men serve 6 1/2 hours daily, Monday through Thursday. The final week, the men serve 6 1/2 hours daily Monday through Wednesday, and 3 1/2 hours on Thursday morning. The ladies serve 3 1/2 hours daily, Monday through Thursday, for all three weeks of the project. Saturday, and Sunday are free days. Friday is “Tour Day” when the team travels together to see the sights in the surrounding area. The team is encouraged to attend the Project Host Church the first Sunday. Thereafter, the members are encouraged to attend the church of their choice.
It is expected that all RVICS missionaries will abstain from alcohol and all tobacco products while on project, so they do not offend a ministry which RVICS serves.
Pets are permitted only at projects which allow pets at their facility. The RVICS missionary must provide a copy of vaccination for the pet and have a signed RVICS Pet Policy on file at RVICS Headquarters.
We encourage RVICS Missionaries to serve as many projects as they are able each year.
RVICS will not knowingly serve a ministry receiving government funding or connected to the World or National Council of Churches.
In giving of our service, it is out of a sincere desire to serve the Lord, not expecting anything in return. It is a blessing to share the Lord’s love and to glorify Him by helping those who are in need.