Lukas Deberardinis, 14, knew he could spend all summer relaxing and playing with friends or use some of his break to change the world.
Deberardinis chose the latter option, and so did some of his friends as eight youth from Center Grove Southern Baptist Church, Cullman, in East Cullman Baptist Association participated in World Changers, helping less-fortunate homeowners in Ensley by hanging Sheetrock and painting their homes June 22–27.
“I’m furthering God’s work by helping these people,” said an enthusiastic Deberardinis as he labored away in the hot sun.
That assertion seems to sum up the focus of World Changers, a North American Mission Board (NAMB) initiative for students from middle school through college that sends them throughout the United States and to Puerto Rico and Canada to remodel and repair homes at no charge.
In June and July, 1,667 volunteers from across the United States are participating in four projects in Birmingham and one each in Florence, Huntsville and Anniston, according to Tracy Brock, missions communication specialist for the Alabama groups working with World Changers.
Butch Henderson, associate executive director for church development with Birmingham Baptist Association, said the association works with World Changers because of its desire to further partnerships with NAMB and Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.
“Anytime we can partner with one of our [Southern Baptist Convention groups], it fulfills the goals of the association,” he said. “It helps solidify who we are as an association.”
The effort not only helps meet the existing goal by combining resources, but it also opens a door to future ministry, Henderson said. “Because World Changers partners with the local association, those ministries can continue with the homeowners and communities beyond what is done that week.”
Working at a house several blocks from Deberardinis, Center Grove Southern Baptist youth Haley Buckelew, 16, helped with painting and hanging vinyl siding. Even with a rigorous schedule and hot weather, she noted the opportunity to serve others brought a sense of satisfaction.
“I’m excited to be here to show God’s love to people that need it,” Buckelew said.
Brock said students from 93 Alabama Baptist churches are participating in World Changers this summer.
But they weren’t working only in Alabama. Andrew Dunson, 17, a member of First Baptist Church, Eufaula, in Barbour Baptist Association, was one of 34 students from his youth group who traveled to Knoxville, Tenn., June 28–July 5.
Although many of the students were involved with work at private residences, Dunson was charged with helping demolish several buildings on the campus of a Baptist ministry to facilitate remodeling plans.
He has worked at homes on two other World Changers trips and said seeing the satisfaction in the face of homeowners can’t be beat.
“You see the difference, especially on the last day,” Dunson said. “They’re always smiling and thanking you.”
For more information about World Changers, visit www.world-changers.net.
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