VOLUNTEERS: 1991 BELL VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNERS HONORED FOR HELPING OTHERS; PASTOR SAYS HELPING OTHERS IS GOD'S PLAN

The Rev. Louis Launhardt believes volunteer service fits into God's plan for each person's life.

The pastor at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Launhardt reaches out into the community to share a message about loving thy neighbor.

"I have been motivated by the needs I have seen in the community," he said. "But also motivating me is a caring and love which has come from God."

Launhardt said his desire to help others comes straight from the Bible. "Jesus said, ~~`As I have loved you, so you must love one another.' That is the bottom line why volunteerism is important and that is the reason I've been involved," said Launhardt.

Specifically, Launhardt is credited as the founder of Lutheran Family and Children's Services, a counseling agency that serves 13 counties in Southeast Missouri. It started 16 years ago.

The agency serves individuals, couples, families, single pregnant women, and the elderly. Lutheran Family and Children's Services also helps with adoptions and offers 25 classes on parenting and good, mental health.

Without Launhardt's work, Lutheran Family and Children's Services simply would not exist, said Dale Trimberger, director of the agency.

Laundhardt said the organization began because, at the time, the community had no professional counseling services and those services were needed.

In 1988, he created a new advisory board that encourages more people to become involved with Lutheran Family and Children's Services.

He organized the Community Singles Support group for people recently divorced or widowed.

"Again, the need was there," he said. "If people go through divorce, many are feeling a lot of losses of self-esteem and at being so angry about what has happened. People need a way to be able to deal with those feelings."

Launhardt, as a minister, talks with these singles to help them get over their anger.

"Through that group I had some contact with other singles groups like Parents Without Partners," he said. He often speaks with groups on topics like forgiveness.

He also serves as chairman of the Institutional Review Committee at St. Francis Medical Center.

"I believe this is really why God has given us time and why we have gifts and abilities. God has given us these things and then called us to a mission to show love."