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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 New Orleans World Changers gave $1,780.35!!!!!!
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!
Oh the stories you’ll hear when visiting New Orleans! It has been such a pleasure to get to know each of the residents and school supervisors we have been able to serve. Each worksite, each house, each resident has their own story to share with the World Changers. It is a blessing to have the opportunity to meet these incredible individuals, who have by divine appointment, been placed in our path this summer!
One sweet prayer warrior praises the Lord for the blessing World Changers has been in her life and the life of her family. Ms. Darlene Giangrosso has lived in the New Orleans for over thirty years. She recently had to move to Slidell. She felt compelled by the Lord to move back to New Orleans, however. Her home was not in good condition and she trusted the Lord to provide her the resources needed to move back. As she was praying about moving back to New Orleans, her daughter informed Ms. Darlene that she was pregnant and would have to put the baby up for adoption because she had no place to live and care for the newborn. Ms. Darlene immediately prayed and obeyed the Spirit who prompted her to open her new home for her daughter and the baby to live with her. The house, however, was still not in a healthy living condition especially for a new born.
As she prayed for the Lord’s guidance, there was a knock on the door. It was Seth Green, our World Changers construction coordinator. He asked Ms. Darlene if we could serve her in any way by providing manual labor to repair her house. She immediately praised the Lord for His provisions! The students have been repair old ceilings, laying hard wood floors, and many other repair jobs in Ms. Darlene’s house. The newborn baby, her daughter, and Ms. Darlene will now have a safe environment to live! Praise the Lord for His divine appointments.
“You can be a World Changer…. 1,2,3,4 Go! Go out and change the world!” 210 students sang along to the tune of the world changers theme song during opening celebration yesterday. Today each crew ventured out into New Orleans for their first day on the construction sites. There are groups from various states including Florida, Arkansas, South Carolina, Alabama, Texas, and Missouri. What a testimony to the city of New Orleans 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 New Orleans the 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 New Orleans, 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 New Orleans! 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: Emily Jones, Fort Worth, Texas
Construction Coordinator: Seth Green, New Orleans, Louisiana
Associational Coordinator: Ethan Jones, Fort Worth, Texas
Church groups and teams will be driving from all over the country to Louisiana to give their time, energy, and love to residents in New Orleans 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!