Baker, out-of-state church members to improve homes, minister to residents

BAKER — Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church and Shady Grove Assembly of God youth groups are matching their faith with deeds this week.

Members — along with volunteers from Mount Repose Baptist Church in Miami, Ohio, and West Haven Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tenn. — have vowed to "Do Something," and help the community in the process.

200 youth and adult church members working at eight residential work sites are repairing Baker homes and ministering to residents during the week-long "Do Something" camp. Members, under adult and volunteer contractors' supervision, will dig drainage ditches and perform painting and roof work. Materials have already been provided through previous church fundraisers, event organizers said.

In addition, the work groups will present backyard bible clubs for residents they help.

Baker School will provide the volunteers' lodging throughout the camp, which will also feature a guest speaker and ministry from a Christian band.

“I think this an awesome image of the body of Christ: for all of us to come together on this (project),” said event organizer Justin Douglas, Pilgrim Rest's youth pastor.

Shady Grove's 12-member youth team also looks forward to camp, Brandon McMackin, the church's youth pastor, said.

“They are chomping at the bits to get in the community and do something,” he said. 

And to do it again.

 “We are already planning on doing this next year,” McMackin said. “We plan on getting more churches involved.”

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker, out-of-state church members to improve homes, minister to residents