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It has been a great week in Franklinton as crews have worked hard to provide residents with new ramps, new roofs, and new paint jobs. The best part about this week has been the love of Christ that was shown through the service of the students. We had two newspaper reporters comment on how amazing it is to see young people give a week of their summer and pay to come serve others. We know however that it is the love of Christ, which compels us to reach out to the residents of Franklinton.
We have learned this week that we are not only called to reach out to the citizens of Franklinton but they we are set apart to shine God’s glory to the ends of the earth. It is by His design that this specific group of students and adults attended this world changers’ project. It is His design that He has redeemed us to tell the world the message of His salvation! We are set apart for Him. The students of this project did a job witnessing to those in Franklinton but we challenge them to impact the world!
Gospel Presentations: 9
Accepted Jesus as Savior: 5 J
Requested Prayer: 24
Tracts Handed Out: 29
Mission Offering: $1,574.00
“Well done good and faithful servant” Matthew 25:21
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 Franklinton World Changers gave $1,571.27!!!!!!
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!
It’s the midway mark of this World Changers project! The students are working hard to finish their jobs by Friday. Their hard work deserves a break though, from noon to nine they will be given the opportunity to take a break and spend quality time with their church youth groups. Some groups are planning to spend the day in New Orleans visiting the French Quarter. Another option is to travel to Baton Rouge to hang out in the Mall of Louisiana. Groups will work on site this morning and then spend the day resting and refreshing to finish this week strong!
Mrs. Marie, a sweet lady who works at Franklinton High School, told us her story and we wanted to share it with you! She and her husband lived in Slidell before Hurricane Katrina hit. However, they evacuated to a camp in Shreveport when news of the hurricane was given. They left their house at 5 a.m. the morning of the hurricane. They stayed two weeks at the camp until it was safe to return to their home. However, as they arrived at what used to be their home they saw utter devastation. Mrs. Marie says, “It was very overwhelming. It was so terrible. We lost everything.” The water had risen to the very top of her roof. Because her house was completely submerged in water, she lost all her personal items such as jewelry, pictures, important documents. There was an inch of thick mud layering the floor of her house. The smell was horrible. Her refrigerator had floated into the hallway. All of her furniture was rearranged. There were three fallen trees that had directly landed on her house.
“God is good!” is the expression Mrs. Marie gave immediately after telling us her story, “He was faithful to give us back what we needed.” Mrs. Marie and her husband now live in Franklinton where they both have jobs! Praise the Lord for His faithfulness during the storms of our lives!
Just to give you an update on our media coverage, we were visited yesterday by Earl Jenkins with the local newspaper the Era Leader. Praise the Lord for His faithful in providing more opportunities to share our stories with the citizens of this city. We are excited that the city of Franklinton will be able to see what World Changers is really all about… sharing God’s love! Era Leader News took action shots and a few interviews with participants and crew chiefs. We are excited to see what other media coverage the Lord will provide! It’s all for His glory!
Just a reminder: 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! Last night at worship students were challenged to give up whatever was keeping them back from living for the Lord. It was incredible to see the brokenness of their hearts as many laid down their burdens and sins at the altar of Christ. 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!
Students decked with nail aprons, hammers, bandanas, and a servant’s attitude arrived this morning on their job sites ready to serve the Lord. Crews are prepared to work in the heat of Louisiana and are encouraged to not only drink lots of water but also take the living water of Jesus Christ to the residents of Franklinton. The crews have several roofing jobs, will be building ramps, and will also be painting and renovating homes. The crews are not only volunteering to renovate the homes assigned, they are taking their faith another step as they asking neighboring homes how they can pray for them. Many families in that neighborhood will be touched through the service and love of this crew!
Tomorrow night during worship we will be having a concert of prayer. This is a time where the students intimately encounter the Lord. Pray today that the students would prepare their hearts to meet with the King of kings! We will also be taking up a mission offering this week! Please pray that the students would obey God’s prompting as the give sacrificially to three specific ministries. May God be glorified in every aspect of our mission experience!
“You can be a World Changer…. 1,2,3,4 Go! Go out and change the world!” 220 students sang along to the tune of the world changers theme song during opening celebration yesterday. Today each crew ventured out into Franklinton 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! What a testimony to the city of Franklinton 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 Franklinton 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 Franklinton, 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 Franklinton! 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: David Hatfield
Church groups and teams will be driving from all over the country to Louisiana to give their time, energy, and love to residents in Franklinton 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!