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Rona Linda Sonton
This was my second trip out to Ms. Rona Linda Sonton’s home. The very first day of work channel 10 came to her house to check out what the World Changers were doing at her home. I met Ms. Rona with popsicles in her hands for the students that very first day. Her hospitality towards the crew continued throughout the week. The students reported many cookies, brownies and other treat generously given to them by their homeowner.
Ms Rona is not new to the neighborhood by any means. She grew up on this street just as her mother did. Her parents once lived in a small house on the same plot before her current home was built: “When they got married they lived in a little bitty house right here, wasn’t even a two bedrooms, it was a two room house when they started out.” That small house has since been removed and replaced by a larger home. Rona returned home to care for her parents in their old age and was given the house once they passed on. She has now lived here fourteen years, the roof was not leaking yet but the shingles had become old a brittle and past their age of use. “I was going to have to replace it pretty soon, I had maybe a year on it before I was going to have to hunker down and replace it. It was going to be a bit of a hardship because roofs are very expensive, right now. And in another year who know the price it could have doubled in price,” said Ms. Rona.
World Changers student who began their work on Monday now enjoy a time of worship and scripture reading under a shade tree while their Crew Chief puts on the finishing touches of the roof. “They were a God Send,” said Ms. Rona, “The kids are awesome. They’re go getters. They’re cheerful, I can’t even describe them their so wonderful… I’m going to miss them when they’re gone.”
Each student has a similar story to tell of Ms. Rona’s hospitality towards them and their gratefulness of being able to share Christ love with Rona and the community.
Ms. Rona tearfully exclaimed, “I love each and everyone of them. They’re great. I’m really going miss them. I could never repay them. It’s like having family. I could never do enough for them.”
Touching lives and sharing Christ love is what World Changers is all about. As we drove away from Ms. Rona’s home all the students could be seen gathered on the roof for the hammering of the last nail. All took turns giving the house one more whack before breaking out into cheers over what had been accomplished.
Living Set Apart Lives
Student here at World Changers Corpus Christi have worked hard all week and the community has taken notice. Four TV New Stations, Three Radio Stations and one local paper have covered the World Changers Story here in Corpus Christi. The students have represented World Changers and the message it is sending well. Two of those students were twelve year old Justice of North Park Baptist and Fourteen year old Seth of Kingwood Baptist. Both came with Associational Coordinator Eric Martinez and Missions Communications Specialist Vickie Tarleton to the studio of 91.7 KJNB a local Christian Station. This gave the opportunity for World Changers message to reach the local area and for Justice to tell her story. Justice on the very first day on the Worksite met a little girl named Carolina. She spoke with her throughout the day and talked with her about Christ and salvation. Carolina was interested and thought about their conversation. Later on in the evening Carolina asked Justice to explain this “Christian” thing one more time. Carolina accepted Christ as her savior that very evening. Justice asked Carolina “Why did you want to become a Christian?” Carolina’s answered, “Because some day I want to be a world changer too.” A ten year old little girl life was changed through not only the words but the action that was being lived out before her.
Worship and Concert of Prayer
Brian Pearce has led students to a deeper understanding of what it means to be set Apart for Christ. The Holiness of God was encountered in the story of Isaiah standing before the throne of God. In view of His holiness students were led on Monday to look into themselves and see what sin has done to them and this world. Last night the Concert of Prayer was an opportunity to turn what the was learned into action. Students were given a chance to nail their sins to a cross in an act of confession. Later students were given a chance to lift each other up in prayers of supplication. Finally students filled a blank banner with their praises to God in an expression of gratitude.
On Mission
Since last Monday the students of World Changers Corpus Christi 2009 have been on mission. Every morning they’ve donned their tool belts, sneakers and blue jeans to share the love of Christ via a practical means. They have scraped, painted and sided all to show the residence of Corpus Christi they care and that God cares for them.
Missions Offering
Students gave prayerfully and generously. Upon first count $1424.34 was given to the Missions offering tonight. This number does not include additional offering that may be collected throughout week.
Where is it all going?
For past three years, World Changers mission offering has gone to help three world impacting programs.
Kaleo Conferences- Shaping missions minded young men and women to affect their world for Christ. Kaleo Conference is put on by the Mission Prep Network; The purpose of Kaleo is to offer guidance to students with a calling into vocational ministry. The World Changer Missions Offering help keep Kaleo Conferences affordable for students. To Lean More About Kaleo Visit: www.missionsprepnetwork.com
Canada- Mobilizing students to reach-out to Canadians. Ninety-three percent of Canada is un-evangelized; most Canadians have little or no Christian heritage so have no foundation on which to build. The World Changers Missions Offering supports evangelical out reach in Canada. Current Canada utilizes college students to build relationship and plant churches in Canadian cities. To Learn More Visit: www.currentcanada.com
Urban Outreach- Utilizing five college graduates to listen, build networks, and evangelize in five major cities. Two-Thirds of the U.S. population live in the top 100 cities in America. 5 US/C2 missionaries (3 African Americans and 2 Hispanic Americans) will work in creative ways with local churches in 5 major cities to reach out to city dwellers. World Changers Offering will support these five US/C2 missionaries. To Learn More About US/C2: www.answerthecall.net
Students reaching students, that is what Kaleo, Current Canada and Urban Outreach are all about. Students gave prayerfully to these Ministries. Last night’s total offering equaled $1424.34!
The Great Send Off!
Horns blaring, Students cheering and engines revving, World Changers left 2nd Baptist Church to head to the 24 worksites in the Corpus Christi area. Students donned their blue jeans and work belts, leaving for sites at 7AM this morning. Crews returned to 2nd Baptist at 4PM this evening tired and dirty yet with the satisfaction of having made an impact on their worksite and in the community.
Meeting New People
Students Awoke to their first full day of World Changers in Corpus Christi; all scrambled to the Cafeteria to check Encouragrams and find out what “Crew” they were on. Students from every church are split into Crews, which are given names such as Brush Bunch, Cool Caulkers and Paint Chips. After meeting for their first Crew Chat participants were off too attend local churches who will be providing them with lunches through out the week.
Why We’re Here Training:
Upon Returning from visiting worksite, students received a brief Evangelism Training. Students were encouraged by Associational Coordinator and Worship Speaker Brian Pearce to share their faith boldly in word and deed. World Changers is after more than just repairing houses; it’s about reaching out to those in need of Christ’s love.
Position Training
Feeling prepared to reach out to people in the Dallas Community, Students moved on to some practical position training. Every Crew has 5 positions filled by student that help the crew to function safely and harmoniously while on the worksite.
Break Master -Keeper of the Cooler
Safety Inspectors -You Better Hold That Ladder!
Medic -Healer if minor Boo boos!
Devotion Leader – Focuser on what’s important
Evangelism Recorder -Keeper of all Evangelistic out reach reports
Get Ready to Change the World!
9 Churches from Texas and one from Arkansas arrived today with 250 students and adult leaders ready to Change the World! Students unloaded trailers and rolled out air mattresses. Students will spend their days restoring hope to communities by repairing lower income housing. In the evening students will explore what it means to be Set Apart. The World Changers Corpus Christi Staff is excited to meet all the students offering their hard earned money, a week of summer break and their love for those who are in need. Students will be on 24 work sites scraping paint, building wheel chair ramps, and building relationships.
Opening Celebration
Opening Celebration was a blast! Many games were played. Including several rounds of Gorilla, Man, Gun! Students participated in an eBay version of The Price is Right. Did you know an unsharpened pencil would sell for 124 bucks? Weird. Singing, Cheering, and competing, the students exuberance could be felt.
We’re ready to get these projects on the road! Tomorrow participants will find out their Crews and attend local churches.
World Changers Corpus Christi is Excited to Welcome the Following Churches:
First Baptist Beeville of Beeville Texas
First Baptist El Paso of El Paso Texas
First Baptist Kingwood of Kingwood Texas
First Baptist McGehee of McGehee Arkansas
First Baptist O’Donnell of O’Donnell Texas
First Baptist Plano of Plano Texas
First Baptist Welch of Welch Texas
North Park Baptist of North Richmond Hills Texas
South Texas Children’s Home of Beeville Texas
University Baptist of San Antonio Texas
World Changer Texas Team is excited to meet the 250 participants coming to work on 24 worksites in the Corpus Christi Community. World Changers Staff anticipates a successful week for the participants of the Corpus Christi All Youth Project Starting Tomorrow.
Meet The Staff
Jordan Hooker
Music Leader
Where did he come from? German Town, Tennessee
Why Ya here? To Lead students in Worship and documents their week here at World Changers via photos.
What ya doing Later? Taking Music with a concentration in Music History at the University of Memphis.
What ya want to do after that? Serve God through vocational Ministry
Matt Burke
Audio/Video Tech
Where did he come from? Frederic, Maryland
Why ya here? To produces excellent Action Cams for long lasting memories and to make Jordan sound good during worship (i.e. sound board tech).
What Ya doing Later? Attending Grove City College in Pennsylvania to procure a degree in Christian Thought.
What ya doing after that? Serve God through Youth Ministry.
Vickie Tarleton
Missions Communications Specialist
Where did she come from? Jackson Georgia
Why Ya here? To encourage students to learn about further mission opportunities and also to handle media contacts for the Dallas project
What ya doing later? Working on an English degree with a minor in Christian Studies at Truett McConnell College in Cleveland Georgia.
What ya doing after that? Teach English as a second language overseas
Jessica Tucker
Office Manager/ Team Leader
Where is she from? Springfield, Missouri.
Why is she here? To take care of all paper work, phone calls and manage the Dallas World Changers office. She also doubles as the Dallas Team Summer Staff Leader.
What ya doing later? Seeking a degree in Elementary Education with emphasis in Mathematics at Missouri State University.
What ya doing after that? Would like to continue education, and then teach 2nd or 3rd grade and follow God’s lead.
Mark Haveman
Construction Coordinator
Roofing Contractor
Eric Martinez
Associational Coordinator
Youth Minster at Corpus Christi Baptist
Brian Peirce
Worship Speaker
Youth Minster of First Baptist Kingswood Texas.
Project Coordinator
Shawn Edwards
Pastor at North Park Baptist in Fort Worth Texas
Lodging
Students will be staying in the Sunday School rooms of Second Baptist Corpus Christi.
