Restoration: serve, equip & connect
Restoration is the process of making something new again. It’s a very down to earth way of describing the work that God invites us into. NEC reaches out to those in need locally, regionally and globally and provides volunteer power, resources and financial help. NEC often partners with other individuals and non-profits to multiply our ability to do good.
Check out our opportunities below and complete the volunteer interest form to let us know what interests you. If you need assistance from any of these ministries, please visit our 'need help' page.
Trips, activities and opportunities to get involved in
@NEC
NEC Cares
NEC Cares is one to one support for anyone experiencing a difficult time in life. We walk with you through serious illness, bereavement, caring for others, job crisis, divorce, and other challenges that disrupt your life because NEC Cares.
If you would like to have a care giver walk with you or if you would like to be trained as a care giver, please reach out.
Caring Meals
This group provides meals to those who have given birth, are sick, had an accident or surgery, had a family death, or who are, for numerous reasons, temporarily incapacitated.
SOS Team
SOS stands for Serving Our Savior. It evolved out of the experience on US Disaster Relief Trips. We found a dire need for home repairs for someone in our church and pulled a group together. It was such a positive experience that we made it an outreach ministry in 2015. Our services include basic home repair, painting, and other small projects for individuals in need of a helping hand within our church family and other local communities. SOS works one or two Saturdays a month. No special skills are required and kids 11 and older are welcome to participate with a parent! Absolutely no pressure...join in when you can!
Paper Angels
This team sends out thoughtful sympathy, encouragement and get well cards to people going through a rough time. Cards are sent to anyone brought the team’s attention.
Prayer Blanket Ministry
This ministry invites individuals to pray for a person who is going through an extremely difficult time such as loss of a child or spouse, life-threatening diagnosis such as cancer, or homelessness, etc. We prepare a no sew fleece blanket and a special card is handmade and matches the theme of the prayer blanket. Anyone is invited to come, say a prayer and sign the card of encouragement for the person. The cornerstone of the prayer blanket is the Holy Trinity that it is tied with a ring signifying God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus and signifies that it is an official New England Chapel Prayer Blanket. If you would like to nominate a person to receive a Prayer Blanket or would like to know when we are working on a Prayer Blanket use the volunteer interest form at the top of the page.
Local
Franklin YMCA
NEC partners with the Hockomock Area YMCA in community development projects including the school supply drive, the summer lunch program, family fun events and more.
Franklin Food Pantry
In our partnership with the Food Pantry, NEC volunteers pick up Panera Bread on Monday nights to deliver to the pantry on Tuesday mornings; help to organize food and stock shelves; assist with special projects; and help organize local food drives.
SAFE COALITION
Safe Coalition is a Franklin based non-profit helping to educate and support those impacted by substance use disorder and mental health concerns. Franklin is one of 40 communities throughout Massachusetts served by Safe. By creating opportunities for adults and youth in group-building, peer-to-peer engagement, and education, they reduce the risk of mental illness and substance use. They also help to meet some basic everyday needs. NEC is proud to partner with Safe Coalitions.
Regional
Straight Ahead Ministries
Straight Ahead Ministries works with juvenile offenders to help them know Christ’s transforming love. Youth are mentored closely every step of their journey, from lock-up to a monitored home environment and finally to independence as they become self-sufficient, productive citizens. NEC partners with Straight Ahead through their community programs and holiday outreach. Stop by the lobby in March 2025 to support the Easter Basket Collection.
WALKING IN LIGHT MINISTRIES
Walking in Light is faith-based mission who partners with a large cross-section of Bible-centered churches in New England to minister to hundreds of families in low-income housing projects in Worcester, including one of the largest in Massachusetts. NEC assembles Thanksgiving baskets for families every year, provides Christmas gifts and winter clothing for the children, collects food to help families through the winter and spring school breaks as well as school supplies in the summer, and participates in the Summer Bible Experience for teens.
MEDWAY VILLAGE FOOD PANTRY
NEC is proud to partner with the Medway Village Food Pantry, which started out of two cabinets in 2004. They were founded on our belief that all people deserve to be treated with kindness, dignity, and respect, as they work to end hunger for local residents. Through the years they have expanded significantly. In 2024, they provided over 237,000 meals as well as diapers, paper goods and other household essentials. They are 100% volunteer run and 64% of the food and household goods that are distributed are purchased using monetary donations and gift cards and 36% of the food and household goods are donated.
Pathway to a Better Life
Are you a night owl and want to help others during cold nights this winter? Pathway to a Better Life, the Milford area temporary, emergency shelter is looking for volunteers. Homeless rates are raising, so they are opening their doors in the winter to help individuals to stay warm from 9pm - 7am when temperatures drop to 20 degrees and below. They cannot open without volunteers. Please if you are interested in volunteering call/text or email Lisa Trusas 508-922-9032 or pathwaytoabetterlife2019@gmail.com. Please share and help us get the word out!! We want all volunteers to know they are not allowed to turn away anyone with symptoms or who is Covid positive.
Global
US DISASTER RELIEF - Trips planned for April and early Fall 2025
NEC partners with World Renew Disaster Response Services to help communities impacted by natural disasters. Our teams have served in New Orleans (Hurricane Katrina), Pennsylvania, Alabama, New Jersey and North and South Carolina alongside community residents and local long-term recovery groups! After immediate needs are met and coverage of a disaster has faded from the news, volunteers are still needeed to help families and communities as the work of recovery continues. The next trip in April 2025 is full but another trip is planned for late September/early October 2025. Email Dena at dena@nechapel.org for more information.
Visit nechapel.org/missions24 for more information.
Mission of Hope - Trip to Dominican Republic in February 2025
Mission of Hope International operates as an interdenominational Christian outreach, working with all people and fulfilling the Great Commission as the hands and feet of Jesus. A mission trip is planned for February 2025. For questions, contact Dena at dena@nechapel.org.
Visit nechapel.org/missions24 for more information.
Manos Curativas
A NEC partner organization, Manos Curativas, Inc is a non-profit organization providing health care to unserved and underserved people in the Dominican Republic. Teams of volunteer medical professionals, translators, logistic and support crews travel to remote areas one week every other June. Group trips are currently on hold at this time.
Haiti Empowered Inc.
Formerly Mission E4
A NEC partner organization, Haiti Empowered Inc. has been leading teams on mission trips to Haiti for nearly two decades. You can be part of the long-term change in Haiti by joining a week-long trip. During your trip you will spend time in their schools, churches and the boys and girls orphanages. Work projects range from physical labor and construction to making lunches for the team, performing skits, giving books & uniforms to school children, or registering new children. There is also opportunity for medical personnel to perform routine exams. There is something for everyone, both young and old! Mission trips are currently on hold at this time.
If going to Haiti sounds like too much for but you still want to help the cause, don't worry, you still can! Haiti Empowered also has a child sponsorship program where you can sponsoin Haiti for $41 a month. Your sponsorship provides the child an education including books and uniforms, a hot meal at school and free medical care.
Vineyard Christian School
Uganda
A NEC partner organization, the Vineyard Christian School was established near Soroti, Uganda in 2008. In a country ravaged by war in the 1980's and 90's, concerned parents and a pastor joined forces to impact positive change. The mission of the Vineyard Christian School is "Preparing today's children to become tomorrow's answer". The school enrolls over 600 children from many local villages, providing a Christian education and more.
Mission Trip Videos