Grateful Living
Di Van de Velde – A Heart for Hospitality
My name is Di Van de Velde, and hospitality has always been close to my heart. From growing up as the youngest of eight in Adelaide, to serving in church and nursing, God has continually shaped my journey to be one of faith, service, and creating connection through food and fellowship.
I was adopted into a Catholic family as the youngest of eight children. My parents started me on my faith journey, and as a child, I was very involved in church life. Like many young adults, I stepped away from church for a season, distracted by the world. But at 27, in a challenging time of my life, I searched for God, asking where He was. With support from some nursing colleagues and an Alpha course, I finally encountered Jesus in a personal way and gave Him my heart.
Sixteen years ago, I moved with my family to Hervey Bay. After visiting several churches in the area, we returned to Hervey Bay Baptist in 2017. My children became involved in Kids Church and Youth, and I found myself drawn back into serving the church community. Over the years, I’ve contributed in many ways—kids' church, youth leadership, church council, youth mass coordination, and kitchen volunteering—all while working in hospitality and later as a nurse.
Service has always been part of my family heritage. Growing up in a big family taught me the importance of caring for others, and I’ve carried that into both my career and my faith journey. I’ve always loved cooking, but when our church started Friday night meals, I rediscovered the joy of seeing people connect over food. Watching conversations about God thrive around the dinner table reminded me of my hospitality days before nursing—and it reignited my passion.
One of my favourite scriptures says: “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:9-10).
Pastor Brett recognised my passion and asked me to take on the role of Kitchen Coordinator. I felt both surprised and honoured. This role gives me the chance to bring people together, motivate volunteers, and foster spaces where fellowship happens naturally. Besides preparing meals, my responsibilities also include ensuring our kitchen operates safely and meets all requirements, so our ministry can continue to grow and flourish.
At its core, hospitality is Kingdom work. Food, God, and community form a powerful mix that breaks down barriers, fosters belonging, and opens doors for the Gospel. Like Jesus sharing meals with His disciples, I believe our kitchen ministry can keep reaching out—not just feeding people but creating life-changing chances to encounter God.
I was adopted into a Catholic family as the youngest of eight children. My parents started me on my faith journey, and as a child, I was very involved in church life. Like many young adults, I stepped away from church for a season, distracted by the world. But at 27, in a challenging time of my life, I searched for God, asking where He was. With support from some nursing colleagues and an Alpha course, I finally encountered Jesus in a personal way and gave Him my heart.
Sixteen years ago, I moved with my family to Hervey Bay. After visiting several churches in the area, we returned to Hervey Bay Baptist in 2017. My children became involved in Kids Church and Youth, and I found myself drawn back into serving the church community. Over the years, I’ve contributed in many ways—kids' church, youth leadership, church council, youth mass coordination, and kitchen volunteering—all while working in hospitality and later as a nurse.
Service has always been part of my family heritage. Growing up in a big family taught me the importance of caring for others, and I’ve carried that into both my career and my faith journey. I’ve always loved cooking, but when our church started Friday night meals, I rediscovered the joy of seeing people connect over food. Watching conversations about God thrive around the dinner table reminded me of my hospitality days before nursing—and it reignited my passion.
One of my favourite scriptures says: “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:9-10).
Pastor Brett recognised my passion and asked me to take on the role of Kitchen Coordinator. I felt both surprised and honoured. This role gives me the chance to bring people together, motivate volunteers, and foster spaces where fellowship happens naturally. Besides preparing meals, my responsibilities also include ensuring our kitchen operates safely and meets all requirements, so our ministry can continue to grow and flourish.
At its core, hospitality is Kingdom work. Food, God, and community form a powerful mix that breaks down barriers, fosters belonging, and opens doors for the Gospel. Like Jesus sharing meals with His disciples, I believe our kitchen ministry can keep reaching out—not just feeding people but creating life-changing chances to encounter God.
Posted in Grateful Living