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A sweet woman shared a story with us today that we would love to share with you! As the “Monkey Wrenches” crew was working on Mrs. Gloria Matthews’s house, the have shared God’s love through more than just their labor. Mrs. Gloria’s fifteen-year-old neighbor, Tyranny, observed all the gracious labor, which students her age were providing, and the fun they were having while serving! Tyranny made her way across her yard and into her neighbor’s house to see what all the fuss was about. The students explained what they had been doing and she ended up hanging out with them for the rest of the day. She was invited to come to our worship service tonight. Please pray for the residents and homeowners who have been touched by the lives of our participants. We pray that as we leave the community will continue to carry on the burden of showing God’s love to Baton Rouge!
World Changers understand one major truth in life. Life is not about me! The students have displayed a selfless attitude today as they continue to serve Christ through mission work. There are many students who have shown by their actions this week that they are more concerned about the welfare of others above their own.
This week our mission’s offering was given to three different ministries. Our students had the opportunity to support student missionaries who will be spending their semester in Canada working on evangelism. Canada, although a neighbor to the United States, is very different from us concerning religion. (Example: There are 3200 Baptist churches in Alabama. There are only 160 Baptist churches in all of Canada!) 93% of Canada is unevangelized! Student missionaries supported by our offering will be ministering to other students who live in Canada.
The next ministry that we will give to is the Kaleo Conferences. Kaleo stands for “called.” Students have learned this week that God has set them apart for ministry. Some students are set apart, or called, for vocational ministry. These specialized events serve as a “stepping stone” as they mentor students through their call to the ministry. By giving to this offering, students make it very affordable for other students to go to Kaleo conferences.
Our last opportunity is Urban Evangelism. Five US/C2 missionaries will be placed in a urban area to work along side the local churches. They will listen to the needs of the churches, provide them with resources, help with building plans, and coordinate street evangelism.
Our students were challenged to give sacrificially. Worship costs! God paid the biggest sacrifice on our behalf as He gave His one and only Son to die for our sins and to free us from the chains of death! Students understood the price of such a sacrifice. God has richly blessed us, so that we can glorify Him by providing for others! The goal for the missions offering was $1,500. The students and group leaders received the message of giving sacrificially and obeyed by giving above the expected amount. Altogether the Baton Rouge World Changers gave $1,702.60!!!!!!
Praise the Lord for His provisions and for the Holy Spirit prompted the hearts of the students. May the Lord bless them through the testimony they have made to all who will benefit from this offering!
We have had a great week thus far! We have 18 crews working in the city of Baton Rouge. We have been working on roofing projects, painting houses, and renovating homes. The homeowners have been so blessed, almost as much as much as we have been! It has been such a blessing to meet them and to experience the joy of serving them through the love of Christ. Since a picture is worth 1,000 words…. Here are some pictures to show what we are doing here!
ust to give you an update on our media coverage, we were visited three times today for television coverage! Praise the Lord for His faithful to our prayers. We are excited that the city of Baton Rouge will be able to see what World Changers is really all about… sharing God’s love! Channel 2 News and several other local television stations have visited several sites to get action shots and a few interviews with participants and crew chiefs. We also had a story in the local newspaper today!
Tonight participants are preparing their hearts for a “Concert of Prayer.” They will be ushered into the presence of our Lord by our worship team. Students will have a chance to hear the scripture of Isaiah 6:1-8, sing songs of praises to our King, and respond to His calling on their lives! Pray Pray Pray that the Spirit of God would move throughout our students tonight as they enter into His courts with thanksgiving and lift up their song of praise! He is worthy!
And off they go! World Changers set out early this morning to change the lives of those they encounter through their service in the city of Baton Rouge. During the Great Send Off, students were encouraged to drink lots of water, have positive attitudes, and most importantly glorify their Father through their acts of service. The students joined hands in prayer symbolizing the unity among believers from every church group and every crew serving together for the glory of the Lord.
In the previous week, there was a press conference held for the media to ask the Mayor any questions about the World Changers project. Some of the sites will be getting media attention in the upcoming days. We ask that you pray for the testimony, which the citizens of Baton Rouge will witness through the media. May God be glorified and His name be made known in this city!
“You can be a World Changer…. 1,2,3,4 Go! Go out and change the world!” 200 students sang along to the tune of the world changers theme song during opening celebration yesterday. Today each crew ventured out into Baton Rouge as they each visited different churches for morning worship. After worship, each crew will make a home visit to their sites and meet the neighbors to tell everyone about the love of Christ and the reason they have come to serve this week! There are groups from various states including Florida, Arkansas, North Carolina, Alabama, Texas, and Missouri, Mississippi, and Georgia. What a testimony to the city of Baton Rouge to see so many willing students giving up a week of their summer to serve others!
Last night during our worship service students were challenged to live their lives set apart from the world. We read in 1 Peter 2 that as Christians, we have been called out as a chosen people to be set apart for the use of our Savior. Today the students are putting their faith into action as they show the city of Baton Rougethe love of Jesus Christ through their service.
“Allons!” The Cajun word translated “Let’s Go!” is a perfect description of the World Changers summer staff and participants! As loaded trailers, buses of excited students, and supportive group leaders make their way to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, our summer staff team welcomes them with nail aprons, tools, bandanas, and plenty of hard work! We are excited about the opportunities we will have this upcoming week to minister to the residents of Baton Rouge! Our coordinating staff has been fervently praying for each participant and their experience here at World Changers 2009! We know that our labor is not in vain because we will give all the glory to the Lord… and that is something to get excited about!
So, who is this super excited Louisiana summer staff?! Let me introduce you to the individuals who are blessed with the opportunity to serve the participants and group leaders this week.
The Louisiana Team:
Team Leader/ Office Manager: Bethany Siebert, Jefferson City, Missouri
Missions Communication Specialist: Callie George, Lyons, Georgia
Music Leader: Grayson Hall, Marshall, Texas
Audio/Video Technician: Quinton Soronen, Jackson, Mississippi
Project Coordinator: Robert Miller
Associational Coordinator: Scott Bailey
Church groups and teams will be driving from all over the country to Louisiana to give their time, energy, and love to residents in Baton Rouge as the participants help build and repair many homes. God is going to do an amazing work this week in the lives of all who are involved in this World Changers experience. Please continue to pray for those we will be ministering to, as well as, praying that God would move in our own hearts as we serve Him!