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As this is being typed bags are being packed, rooms are being cleaned, trailers are being packed, and vans are being loaded in preparation to head back home. Its bitter sweet to see World Changers Henderson, Kentucky come to an end, especially after some serious sweat, a few tears, and very little blood was shed (dont worry mom and dad, no serious injuries, just a well earned blister here and there)! Through the combined efforts of fourteen churches, twenty one crews, and 276 participants this week there were at least six salvations, and four rededications. They repaired the homes of twenty three families here in Henderson and blessed more lives than we can count.
Tonight is not the time to say goodbye but see you later. Tonight is a time to sing our praises to our Lord and Savior. And most of all, tonight is a time to rejoice over what has been accomplished here in Henderson. The world truly has been changed by these young people and it is our hope that you will challenge them to continue their service when they get back home.
Well tomorrow is the last day of work here in Henderson, Kentucky so that technically makes it crunch time for the crews. Fortunately
all of the crews are speed machines who love to work hard, have fun, and share the love of Jesus. As of today it looks as all of the houses will be finished on time, most of them early, meaning there will be some serious evangelizing going on tomorrow afternoon.
Tonight we received our offering and the students raised over $1,800 for the three ministries we have chosen to support this year. Talk about blessing!!! The money that the participants gave this week will go to help other students around North America share the love of Christ.
To top the night off we had the Missions Round Table where 25 students came to find out what other missions opportunities they could get involved in. Many of them were interested or felt called to serve overseas for a period of time, and some even felt called t
o become full time missionaries. As we wind down the week please continue to pray for safety, especially as groups will be traveling as early as tomorrow night. Also continue to pray for the community here in Henderson that lives will be changed in the little time that we have left here.
While today was probably the hottest day thus far, each of the crews were highly motivated and accomplished a great amount of work. A local news crew came by one of the sites today to cover the story of World Changers and why they took a week out of their summer to provide free labor, and the local newspaper, The Gleaner, will be stopping by another site tomorrow.
The community here in Henderson is very excited to have World Changers here, one homeowner said that the students have been such a blessing in her life. While we were talking with her, her son drove up on his motorcycle to say hello. He has been out of work for a few months now and cant seem to find a job. She asked that we pray for him, and most of the crew stood around him and individually prayed over him. Even though he looked rough and tough on the outside he became overwhelmed by the love that the participants expressed towards him. Please keep him, the participants, and the other homeowners in your prayers because when God is doing amazing things Satan always to set up a road block.
Some exciting news: So far this week (remember its ONLY Tuesday!) there have been 4 salvations, 214 presentations of faith, and well over 250 tracts handed out! Keep reading for more encouraging stories of what is going on here in Henderson, and dont forget to send your students Ecouragrams to let them know you are thinking about them and praying for them!
Wow… we serve an amazing God, and whoever said that young people are lazy has never seen a World Changer at work!!! The participants were tearing it up today on the job sites, and not just physical work. They are some serious evangelizing machines!!!
Today the Gospel was shared 106 times and we had 2 people saved! It is so crazy to think that it’s just Monday, imagine how the community will be impacted and His kingdom changed by Friday.
Wow Moments:
Some of the crews arrived to job sites without supplies so they set right to work praying for the community and taking turns prayer walking. There is something very special watching two people walking around praying and singing God’s praises to all they see.
This spirit of God has settled here in Henderson. His presence could be felt tonight in worship when the music leader stepped away from the mic and the congregation led worship. They all wrote their confessions on black cloths tonight and sung their praises on white sheets in colored markers.
“Thanks for loving someone like me.” These are such simple words with such a profound and deep meaning. All too often we forget just how much we are loved, but the participants are quick to remind one another in the heat of the day when all hope seems lost.
Fried chicken, friends, fellowship, and one fabulous speaker!!!
What more could you ask for honestly??? Well here at World Changers Kentucky we got it all and then some! Today the crews got to meet one another for the first time, fellowshipping and making new friends, as well as their host churches for the week. The host churches are those who are taking the crews into their church family and feeding them lunch for the week. After lunch the crews had the opportunity to go and meet the homeowners and neighbors of the homes that they will be serving at throughout the week. The homeowners were invited to attend worship this week and we had a few community members decide to attend, making tonight’s worship service a very special one, especially for the crews.
During the message tonight Mel, the speaker for the week, gave a challenge to the participants to be set apart for Christ by making Him their personal Savior, and to build a personal relationship with Christ. He reminded us tonight of God’s authority, majesty, and power. So often we forget these truths that seem so trivial at points but are larger than life. God moved through hearts tonight and His presence could be felt all throughout the room.
Its crazy to think that the week has just begun and God is already moving so powerfully through the hearts and lives of the participants. We are incredibly excited to see how God moves through the lives of the homeowners, community, participants, and staff this week. Keep reading to hear more stories of how God is moving here in Henderson, and please continue to be in prayer for those lives that will be touched this week!!!!!
Today fourteen churches arrived in Henderson, Kentucky form nine different states to share the love of Christ with the community here in Henderson. Many of these participants are taking vacation time away from their families to be in Henderson. Instead of celebrating the Fourth of July they were in worship praising their Lord and Savior as angels danced in Heaven at the glorious sound and beautiful site of 272 participants honoring their Creator. These fourteen churches (Ekron Baptist Church, Elkville Baptist Church, Ethelsville Baptist Church, First Baptist Church Whitley City, Halls Westside Baptist, Hanover Baptist Church, Harelton Baptist Church, Kenes Baptist Church, Madison First Baptist Church, Nine Mile Baptist Chruch, Oak Grove Baptist Chruch, Sylvan Hills First Baptist Church, Valleydale Church, and Vinemont First Baptist Church) drove incredibly long hours to this small town to help transform those living here. Students and adults are gearing up as we speak to replace roofs and/or repaint 20 houses this week. The participants are having a blast getting to know one another while waiting in cafeteria lines for some yummy home cooked BBQ, basketball games, and some intense Phase Ten card games. Worship this week is led by Mel Howton who some believe to be the next amazing evangelist in the area!!! Mel has an amazing gift from God to reach people on every level in their walk with Christ. Tonight he challenged us to be a set apart people for Christ. The students were also challenged to continue sharing the love of Christ when they get back home, because we as Christians have been given a precious gift that we should be delighted to share with everyone who will listen. Be sure to ask your youth how God has worked in their life because we are expecting God to do great things, and cant wait to see how lives in Henderson are transformed!!! Please pray that God will prepare the hearts of those in the community, as well as the hearts of the participants, and that the seeds will be planted in deep and rich soil.
The room is silent with anticipation as everyone is eagerly awaiting the end of our last day of training. We all know that the close of training means the start of many sleepless nights staying up late sharing project stories, long car rides full of travel games, and most importantly the changing of countless lives! We are so excited for the weeks to come.
Henderson, Kentucky is anxiously awaiting your arrival, as are we. We as a staff are ready to get the projects underway and experience God’s glory as He shines in and through us in the weeks to come. Be sure to come visit us in the office whenever you get a chance because we can’t wait to hear all of the amazing things that God does on your site throughout the day.
Jessica Best is our Team Leader/Office Manager and she would love a nice sweaty hug when you arrive back form your site. Our AV this summer is Nathan Edwards, so be sure to watch for his appearance throughout the week on your site! Jared Fincher is our Music Leader and he is going platinum after this summer, we see it now! The Missions Communication Specialist for the summer is Meg Mendell, make sure to come see her on Thursday at the Missions Round Table to find out what other missions opportunities are available to you.
We hope that you are just as excited as we are, and we ask you to join us in continuing to pray for the homeowners, community, and churches in the weeks leading up to the project. So like we said… we can’t wait for your arrival so hurry up, but be safe!
