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Crew Shots
Y’all Come Back Now!
World Changers Dallas 2009 come to a close tomorrow morning as the 180 participants from 9 churches head for home. World Changers Dallas Staff enjoyed every minute with them and hope to see them again next summer!
World Changers Dallas Texas 2009 Stats:
Total Number of Churches: 9
Number of Participants: 198
Work Sites: 16
Number of Local Volunteer: 184
Missions Offering Total: $2035.25
Presentations of the Gospel: 57
Recommitments: 3
People with Questions About a Relationship with Jesus: 14
Prayer Request: 17
Tracts Handed out: 42
People Requesting More Information: 7
Salvations: 7
Crow Bars Lead to the Cross
You may recall from an earlier blog the salvation story of a little boy we named Jeremy. World Changers Staff went back on site to check-in on the “Crow Bars.” Jeremy was again on the work site, this time he brought a friend too. Fourteen year old Tonia Weaver recounted the story again of how she led Jeremy to Christ, “I shared John 3:16 with him and explained how God sent his son to die on the cross for him and that no matter what God is always there.” When asked what it felt like to lead Jeremy to the Lord Tonia answered, “It was an uplifting experience. I absolutely love coming to World Changers. I love being able to share Christ with everyone that I come in contact with, by my actions and my words.” God was not finished using the Crow Bars yet, while still on site another member of the Crow Bars led Jeremy’s friend to Christ as well. “It was amazing that Jeremy came over here and that he invited a friend… just knowing that he enjoyed coming and helping us so much that he wanted to share with his friend, share God with his friend. Is just encouraging to me, to live more of a life because of Jeremy,” concluded Tonia. I met Tonia again at the cooler today she was excited to tell me she and a fellow Crew mate led an additional two students to Christ.
Maria Olivo
The Crow Bars not only changed the lives of two little boys they also touched the life of home owner Maria Ellena Olivo: “It’s a miracle that I’ve been praying for a long time.” Ms Olivo has been an active member of St. Edwards Catholic Church for many years. Always helping in the community and organizing booths at the local fair, Ms. Olivo loves to give to her community: “I’ve volunteered for independent school district, since my kids were young. I’ve helped so many kids in this neighborhood.” Having lived in the neighborhood 43 years Ms. Olivo was touched that someone would reach out and serve her. “I haven’t seen our youth work the way you all are doing. And to see it and to know that it can happen, that makes everything worth while… thank you from the bottom of my heart,” said a teary eyed Olivo.
Below is a crew shot including Ms. Maria Olivo in the center and Jeremy is the 2nd from the left wearing a black shirt on the first row.
Mama Jean
A quaint sage green house sits cozily amid lovely gardens. The house wears the aging signs of the many years of use; pealing paint, rotten boards, and the front door is in need of repair. Aside from the extravagantly well-kept garden, there is something that sets this house apart from the dozens of similarly deteriorating buildings. A crew of World Changers scurry to and fro scraping paint and pulling boards. The sound of hammers ring through the air! Home owner Loda Jean Gowens, known by neighbors as “Mama Jean”, contently watches the progress from her screened-front porch. Sprawled at Mama Jeans feet, an orange Tabby cat gives way as I take my seat on the front porch. Mama Jean is proud of her beautiful garden, which she developed on her own. We chat about the flowers and the memories of this old house. 32 years of memories are found in this house, memories of family and raising two girls. Mama Jean could see her home was in need of repair so she applied to City Housing for help. “I had applied to them to fix my house up but the cost exceeded the amount that they allowed for,” admits Mama Jean. World Changers helps to lower the cost of repairs by providing free labor. The 160 students at World Changer Dallas 2009 impact the area by making the repairs possible such as those being made to Mama Jeans house. “ I just love them, thank God for children like them,” said Mama Jean as the sound of the students happily singing the World Changers song lofts through the air.
Mrs Mary
To speak with Mrs. Mary Gonzales I step over students busily repairing her front porch. Mrs Mary slowly turns the key and pushes back the large bar gate protecting her home; we sit on the porch behind these bars obviously designed to prevent break-ins which are common in this neighborhood. Yet Mrs. Mary only has kind words to say about all her neighbors. The young man across the street often cuts her grass and helps her change light bulbs Mrs. Mary is so thankful she let him park his car in her drive. Mrs Mary also has a grandson in a wheel chair who often comes to visit her, she watches out for him. In this community the neighbor stick together, they know each other, they know this is a rough part of town but it is also their home. Mrs. Mary tells me of her fond memories with her late husband in this house, “I miss having him around, he was always doing everything, fixing everything. He built on that porch back their and some of the rooms too. I miss the companionship.” Mrs Mary is now 88 years old and has been getting around pretty well however a few falls in the last year have left her with pain while walking. World Changer is at her house today offering assistance by building a wheel chair ramp, bringing the garage up to code, replacing boards, and scraping and painting. “That ramp is for me, some times I hurt so it will help me get up,” says Mrs. Mary as we listen to the sound of hammers and jigsaws. “The City of Dallas wanted me to fix the garage. I have some money but just to pay for small things, this and that, it’s just not enough,” admits Mrs. Mary. As World Changer Dallas 2009 reaches mid-week Mrs. Mary’s house is already shaping up. She will no longer need to worry about her garage meeting the code and can walk gingerly up her new ramp rather than the pressure of the old stairs.
On Mission
Since last Sunday the students of World Changers Dallas 2009 have been on mission. Every morning they’ve dawned 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 Dallas that they care and that God cares for them. Five students were able to share this story of hope with a broader audience. Channel 8 News, Channel 11 News and The Baptist Standard came to sites to hear in the student’s words what World Changers is all about. The student did a fantastic job with the interviews; they portrayed themselves, World Changers and Christ exceptionally well.
Missions Offering
Yesterday during worship students heard from Lorressa and Taylor of First Baptist The Colony. Both are heading to Canada this summer for five weeks to do mission work with local churches. What they shared put a face on where part of this years Missions offering is headed. Students gave prayerfully and generously. Upon first count $1660.25 were given to the Missions offering tonight. This number does not include additional offering that may be collected through out week or the Snack bar of which a portion of the proceeds will be given (Thank you Casa View for providing the snack bar and being so generous with proceeds).
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. Tonight’s total offering equaled $1660.25!
The Great Send Off!
Horns blaring, Students cheering and engines revving, World Changers left Casa View Baptist to head to the 16 work sites in the greater Dallas area. Students dawned their blue jeans and work belts, leaving for sites at 7AM this morning. Crews returned to Casa view at 4PM this evening tired and dirty yet with the satisfaction of having made an impact on their worksite and in the community.
First Work Day, First Soul Saved.
A boy watches out his window, Eight youth pile out of a van across the street. He watches them scrape, paint and put in insulation. “I thought it was Extreme Home Make over,” says the boy. Jeremy ventured over to the World Changers worksite to get a closer look. He was greeted by the “Crow Bars,” who enjoyed talking and joking with this energetic character. Fourteen year old Tonia Weaver of First Baptist The Colony was among the students who spent time with Jeremy, “He was hanging out all day with us, so I asked him do you go to church? He said he had been before but he wasn’t sure about all of it. So I kept asking him more questions and asked, ‘Do you get it?’ He said, ‘no I don’t and then started asking me question and I answered them.” After speaking with Tonia at the worksite Jeremy gave his life to Christ. “I said the prayer with him” proclaimed Tonia. When Summer Staff arrived to take pictures of the crew Jeremy was there along beside them painting.
Meeting New People
Students Awoke to their first full day of World Changers in Dallas; 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 Project Coordinator Shawn Edwards and Worship Speaker Randy Beggs 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
Worship
Worship Leader Randy Beggs delivered a powerful message of being impacted by God’s Glory. Preaching out of Isaiah 6:1-8 Randy encouraged the students to be awe struck by God’s glory and live out their faith.
Get Ready to Change the World!
9 Churches from four states arrived today with 160 students 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 Texas 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 16 work sites scraping paint, 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 wake at 7:30 AM to eat breakfast, then find out who they will spend the week working with. Students will attend local churches with their crew. All are excited to begin the work and impact the Dallas Community!
World Changers Dallas is Excited to Welcome the Following Churches:
Caribbean Baptist Church: Corpus Christi, TX.
7 Students, 2 Adult Leaders
First Baptist Bismarck: Bismarck, MO.
14 Students, 6 Adult Leaders
First Baptist Mauriceville: Orange, TX.
11 Students, 3 Adult Leaders
First Baptist Savannah: Savannah, TN.
6 Students, 2 Adults
First Baptist The Colony: The Colony, TX.
36 Student, 10 Adult Leaders
Glen Meadows Baptist: San-Angelo, TX.
7 Students, 2 Adult Leaders
Highland Heights: Benton, AK.
10 Students, 4 Adult Leaders
The MET: Houston, TX.
21 Students, 4 Adult Leaders
Wooster First Baptist: Wooster, AK.
13 Students, 3 Adult Leaders
World Changers are Headed to Dallas!
World Changer Dallas, Texas Team is excited to meet the 160 Participants coming to work on 16 worksites in the Dallas Community. The three day Launch project last week was met with great success. Worksites have been prepped by the 215 participants who impacted the Dallas area June 10th thru the 13th. World Changers Staff anticipates an equally successful week for the participants of the Dallas 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.
Jess Marriott from Stilwell, Oklahoma will be joining us for his 10th year as our Construction Coordinator
Charles Bosemon from Dallas, Texas is our Associational Coordinator
Randy Beggs from Dallas Texas will teach the students what it means to be Set Apart.
Shawn Edwards from Fort Worth Texas joins us for his 8th year as Project Coordinator.