| One of our worksites | |
|---|---|
| BEFORE
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AFTER
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Click on the pictures to see them full size.
Each
year in July, youth and adults from Southern Baptist
Churches volunteer their time to do repairs and restoration on homes
in the Kansas City area. This project is co-sponsored by the three Baptist
Associations that surround Kansas city through their CityFocus emphasis.
The cities of Kansas City and Independence worked with the Associations by
providing a list of sites from which to choose and the materials to make the
needed repairs. The types of work that are done include painting, glazing, roofing, and
building porches. All of the sites involve homeowners who do not have the
means to do the work themselves or hire it done.
William Jewell College plays an integral part in the project by providing meals and housing at a reduced rate, making the week affordable to the youth.
The youth are housed in dorms at the college and eat breakfast and dinner at William Jewell's cafeteria. Lunch
is provided at the work sites by volunteers from area churches.
ER requires the cooperation of many groups and government agencies. In all,
over 300 volunteers are involved in the ministry. Key to the success of the
event are the Project Coordinator and crew chiefs. Each site has an adult crew chief who
has experience in the building trades and trains the youth. These volunteer crew chiefs
see to it that the work was done in a professional manner and that all building codes
are followed.
Bill
Mullikin of Rayville, MO has severed for the past several years as our Project
Coordinator. The Project Coordinator works with the government agencies involved,
selects the sites, determines the materials needed, arranges for the purchase and delivery of materials, and
enlists the crew chiefs. Without someone like Bill., the project could not be done.
Anyone interested in doing a similar ministry in their area may contact Loren Hutchinson at the Blue River-Kansas City Baptist Association office. He will be glad to visit with you about how to plan and carry out ER in your town.