Kelly Beardslee

Kelly Beardslee decided long ago that his light was going to shine.

Beardslee, a member of First Presbyterian Church of Flint since 1955, has been an integral part of the ministry of Christ Enrichment Center in Flint since he retired from AC Spark Plug in Flint in 1991. And, looking back, he knows he did it for all the right reasons.

"Just don't volunteer for things because you think it's the right thing to do," he said. "Get into service because there are needs that you can help meet."

Beardslee, now 76, started off as a tutor and is now board director of strategic planning and board development.

During his 18 years at the center, he has overseen the various ministries of the ecumenical community service organization and sought to make positive changes to effect efficiency.

"I have a passion for monitoring the effectiveness of boards and addressing needs for improvements," said Beardslee, who was a manager during his time at AC. "That's why I've been involved with board development."

But, it was his desire to serve his community as a volunteer that made the opportunity one he couldn't pass up.

"(The opportunity to service) is what attracted me in the first place, to meet the serious needs in the community," he said. "The Lord has blessed me with the ability to help meet those needs."

The center, located on Hamilton Avenue in north Flint, had been the home of Christ Episcopal Church until 1988 when declining membership forced the congregation to make a tough decision: change or shut down.

With an administrative agreement with St. Paul's Episcopal Church in that same year, Christ Enrichment Center became a reality.

More than 20 years later, CEC is one of the most vibrant service organizations in Genesee County. There are afterschool programs for kids, tutoring and several activities devoted to the arts - piano lessons, photography classes, etc.

"(CEC) preaches the benefits of exposing children to the arts," said Beardslee, who was born in New Lothrop before moving to Mt. Morris as a child. "There have been studies shown that kids who are involved do better in most everything." CEC also provides adult tutoring to some of the nearly 25,000 functionally illiterate in Genesee County.

And while his duties with the CEC's board keep him busy, Beardslee is getting the itch to once again join the rank-and-file. His tutoring days might not be through.

"It sounds like a cliché, but it's absolutely true: you get more than you give," he said. "You're doing the Lord's work which, of course, is what you believe the Lord wants you to do.

"You just need to believe that it's what you're meant to do. We all have gifts, all different ones, and we are meant to use them."

For more information on service opportunities through Christ Enrichment Center, visit christenrichmentcenter.org or call (810) 239-9425.