Nancy and Bob MacQueen have a heart for volunteering. For over 45 years, they devoted their time to offering people hope and support through various church and prison ministries.
In 2006, they moved to Boalsburg to be near their daughter and granddaughter. Once there, they continued their mission work, running a Bible study for female inmates, and getting involved with Centre Peace. They also found a new church home at State College Alliance Church.
Their Faith Drives Their Passion for Helping Others
“For over ten years, I worked one day a week as a cashier at Centre Peace,” Nancy shares. “It’s a great ministry where local inmates gain work experience for when they’re released from prison. In selling second-hand furniture and other items, the store pays for the ministry.”
Providing a Bible study for those in prison was an especially meaningful ministry. Bob describes how those new to the group seemed scared and somewhat skittish.
“It’s amazing to watch them develop their faith,” he reveals. “Though apprehensive at first, many gain hope in knowing that their way of life can be different from who they were before, and they’ll avoid those situations that landed them in prison.”
At State College Alliance Church, Bob is part of a group that mentors people who are moving into leadership positions.
Bob explains. “It’s important that we prepare people to take over as we age.” To which Nancy quips, “You’ve got to know when it’s time to do, and when it’s time to pass it on.”
Their deep faith is what drives them to volunteer. “Christ calls us to minister to the sick and to visit prisoners,” Bob says. “Volunteering gives us a purpose and keeps us busy. We’re also passing down good values to the next generation.”
Volunteering at The Village
Bob and Nancy moved to The Village at Penn State in 2017, where they quickly made new friends and got involved.
Today, Bob chairs The Village’s Resident Council and Nancy leads a women’s Bible study with several residents. Though COVID drove them to end much of their work outside of The Village, they remain active members at their church, where Bob is an elder.
Kim McGinnis, Director of Community Life, characterizes them as going above and beyond to help others at The Village.
Upon hearing that, Bob and Nancy humbly reply, “Oh, we don’t know about that. Like everyone else here, we just do what needs to be done.”
They add, “We are part of one big family here at The Village, so it just comes naturally. You help one another out, knowing that someone will be there when you need help.”