Youth network cleans up ‘back yard’

The Youth Network Work Crew, which coordinates countywide events for Etowah Baptist Association such as See You At The Pole and Disciple Now, is used to traveling thousands of miles for missions trips, but after this April’s storms, the need was right in its back yard.

“The network was underlying but we felt like we needed to be really active in helping with cleanup,” said Greg Walker, youth minister at Immanuel Baptist Church, Hokes Bluff. “I think initially the first time any of [the youth] came out to the area, they were kind of awestruck. Some areas were so devastated.” Director of Missions Gary Cardwell said there were only about 12 homes destroyed in Etowah County so the association has reached across county lines to help other communities. The network has been busy all summer with activities including picking up debris, raking, weed eating and “whatever it takes to get … people back into their homes,” according to Walker.

Following the storms, Etowah Association churches conducted surveys and gathered word-of-mouth information to create a list of people they could help — and as they quickly discovered, the need was substantial.

So the network set a goal to send a youth group into the community each weekend throughout the summer. Now that summer is nearing a close, there’s still much to be done. But the network plans to continue reaching out. “To hear the youth talk about it, they’ve enjoyed being the hands and feet (of Christ) and (the opportunity) to actually be the church,” said Mark Thrift, who’s been filling in as North Gadsden Baptist Church’s unofficial youth minister for the last five years. “We’ve met some good people to minister to, and it’s a great reminder that young people can be ministers.”

It’s also been important for the youth to witness such extreme need, Walker said.

“For many of them, it’s a life change,” he said. “They see how someone has lost absolutely everything and they don’t have insurance. It’s eye-opening and I think it lets them get in touch with reality that bad things can happen close to home.”

Thrift said the response has been heartwarming. “People in the community are so appreciative and thankful,” he said. “They realize that it’s not about us — it’s all about God and all from God. There’s been so much appreciation and love, and the youth love them back. It’s amazing to see these needs being met.”