RIGHT CLICK on the image above and click “Download Linked File” (Mac) or “Save Target As” (PC) to download the video.

A total of 28 homes were worked on by World Changers this week. Seventeen local churches supported us by providing daily lunches. And the most incredible statistic of all is the number of salvations we’ve seen this week in Norfolk. At closing celebration tonight, one of our participants, Mark Barnes, shared a WOW moment about a boy he had the opportunity to lead to Christ this week. When the crowd was asked for anyone who had led someone to Christ this week to raise their hand, the number was astounding. Upwards of 14 community members accepted Christ as their Savior, and at least three World Changers participants!

God has certainly done mighty things here in Norfolk. We praise Him for who He is and the work He has done! We also want to thank all the participants who attended this project for making it so fun! Thank you to the group leaders who brought their youth groups to Norfolk. We wouldn’t be here without you guys. Continue to pray for the people of Norfolk. God is not done here yet!

With love,

The Virginia Team

Tonight’s worship service came in the form of a challenge. Tim spoke about God’s call to “go” preach to the nations. He challenged students to recognize God’s call to missions, and many students felt their calling. A missions round table was held after the service where students were able to join a group discussion to learn more about missions opportunities available to them. World Changers has a vision that every participant would accept the challenge to give a summer or semester to missions before they graduate from college…and many of these young people are well on their way!

On another note, we’d like to mention this year’s offering. Each year at World Changers, an offering is taken up to support some kind of ministry. The offering was collected Monday night and the total was announced Tuesday. Participants gave $2,213.50 to support three different ministries: Kaleo, Canada, and Urban Evangelism.

1.    Kaleo – A conference that helps high school, college, and seminary students who feel a call to the ministry discover the what, when, where, and how of their calling.  The offering money allows these students to attend this conference for affordable low prices around $25.

Kaleoconference.com

2.    Canada – Current Canada sends student missionaries to Canada, providing them with an opportunity to impact a post modern culture through relationships. Offering money supports Current Canada, student church planting, and student evangelism.

Currentcanada.com

3.    Urban Evangelism – The fastest growing segments among teens today are found within the Hispanic and African American communities. The offering money will help send 5 USC2 missionaries into 5 different U.S. cities to build and network churches, listen for needs of the area, and share Christ.

This was a HUGE amount of money for these students to willingly give. We encourage participants to pray about how much God is asking them to give and they most certainly did. We are so thankful for their obedience!

Please pray for our students and adults here this week. They have one day left of work. Pray for safety, that all the tasks set before them will be completed, and that every person will be touched by the hand of God before leaving Norfolk.

In Him we live,

The Virginia Team

Anxiously awaiting,

The Virginia Team

At 7 am all participants and staff gathered outside by the cars for the Great Send-Off. After a prayer of blessing, crews piled into vans and buses and drove out of the parking lot single file while the staff cheered them on. Energy is high and everyone is ready to work….it’s going to be a GREAT week!

Excited,

The Virginia Team

Tonight’s worship service was focused on building a proper foundation. We have a crew here named the Cinder Block Heads. Tim explained how the cinder block is vital to the foundation of a structure and how we need that same solid foundation in our spiritual lives. Tim then gave his own personal testimony. The service ended with several students praying at the altar asking God to help build their foundation in Him.

There were many other activities today as well. Participants found out what crew they will be on for the week early this morning. Crew names included “Cool Caulkers”, “Hammer Heads”, and “Tool Timers”. There are 24 crews. Crews had the morning and afternoon to get to know each other as they attended the local churches that will be feeding them lunches all week, and then visited their work sites for the week and met the homeowners. All participants went through evangelism training and crew position training.

Students are prepared to start a week of hard work, long days, little sleep, and rewarding and unforgettable experiences. They have been prepared…now they will be sent out into the field!

In Him,

The Virginia Team

The churches here this week are:

Gum Branch Baptist Church – Hinesville, GA

Global Mission Church of Greater Washington – Siver Spring, MD

First Baptist Church of Archdale – Archdale, NC

First Baptist Church – Albemarle, NC

New Hope – Geraldine, AL

Summerfield First Baptist Church – Summerfield, NC

Roberdel Baptist Church – Rockingham, NC

Dover Baptist – Manakin, VA

First Baptist – Senatobia, MS

Beaumont Baptist Church – Spartanburg, SC

Richland Springs Baptist Church – Ward, SC

Lake Gaston Baptist – Littleton, NC

Until tomorrow,

The Virginia Team

First, we would like to introduce ourselves.

Coordinating Staff

Project Coordinator: Meagan Medley from Memphis, TN

Associational Coordinator: Cheryl Douglas from Virginia Beach, VA

Construction Coordinator: Bob Hill from King George, VA

First Aid Coordinators: Sharon Atkins from Boiling Springs, SC and Michelle Hatcher from Saluda, SC

Meagan Medley

Bob Hill

Cheryl Douglas

Speaker Tim Lavinder with Roberdel Baptist Church from North Carolina

Summer Staff

Team Leader/Missions Communications Specialist: Rebekah Feemster is from Springfield, MO. She just graduated from Missouri State University with a degree in dietetics. She will be contacting local media about the work the volunteers will be doing in Norfolk this week. She will also be telling participants about other missions opportunities they can be a part of after their week at World Changers.

Office Manager: Meredith Kwast is from Greenville, SC. She is a senior at Clemson University, majoring in Health Administration. She will be managing the staff office, keeping everything, and everyone, in order.

Music Leader: Brad Beals is from Warrenton, VA. He will be leading our worship services this week, as well as visiting all the work sites and taking crew pictures and action shots that will be available on this site throughout the week. He is a junior at Liberty University. His major is Worship and Music Studies.

Audiovisual Technician: Jacob Hodge, from Memphis, Tennessee, will be running sound for worship services and making a video of the week for students to download and keep to remember their experience in Norfolk. He is a senior at Union University in Tennessee, majoring in Mechanical Engineering.

Below are some pictures from our facility, Norview High School, where we will be sleeping, eating, and worshiping this week!

Check back tomorrow night to read about everyone’s arrival and to see how the first day in Norfolk  goes for participants!

In Him,

The Virginia Team