When Paul Morris returned home 5 months into a 2-year proselytizing mission in Utah for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints due to health challenges, he didn’t realize what an amazing path still laid ahead of him in serving the community of Vero Beach. He transferred to a service mission for the rest of his 2 years, living at home with his family in Vero Beach, and now splits all his time volunteering among several local nonprofits.
He repairs bikes and advocates for bike safety through Bike Walk Indian River County. He teaches bike repair, tutors, and works at summer camp for Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy. He stocks food for Salvation Army Food Pantry, coaches runners in Storm Grove Middle School cross country team and Vero Beach Sailfish Track Club, serves at the Orlando Florida Temple, and assists with administrative tasks for Sunshine Physical Therapy. He even started an English class for Spanish speakers.
A service mission is an alternative to proselytizing missions carried out by young men and women for the church. Young people on service missions usually live at home and volunteer in their own communities, often with local organizations, and both types of missions are unpaid with most of the funding coming from the missionaries themselves and their families.
Paul’s family, including his mom and dad and three younger siblings, moved to Vero Beach from Oregon in 2017. He settled right in to this vibrant community, becoming an Eagle Scout, running cross country and track for Vero Beach High School, and graduating from Indian River Charter High School.
Phil Barnes, Executive Director of Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy related, “I can’t say enough good things about Paul. He… is a valuable member of our team. He is extremely dedicated and reliable — he always comes in with a positive attitude and is great with the children we serve!”
Dave Hunter of Bike Walk Indian River County said, “Paul is an enthusiastic member of our volunteer corps of mechanics who meet weekly to rehab donated bicycles for those in our community who need transportation. Paul also helps distribute bikes to our bike recipients: selecting and adjusting the bikes for the recipient, fitting their helmets as a certified helmet fitter…and imparting additional tips for riding safely. Paul has a gift for making people feel at ease, even switching to Spanish as needed.”
Paul loves how he gets to serve with organizations he is passionate about who have inspired and, in some cases, served him before his mission. After repairing one bike on a rainy day, he related, “I was SO joyful when I finished fixing this bike for someone to get to work who might not be able to otherwise. As a Service missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, my purpose is to serve as the Savior would.”
Paul will be studying nursing at Brigham Young University in Utah when he completes his mission. His love for serving with others in his community will continue to guide his life.
