by Governor Mays

“Therefore, if any one is in Christ, there is a new creation; the old has passed away; behold,
the new has come.” —2 Corinthians 5:17, An Inclusive-Language Lectionary

Rural southeast Arkansas, where I serve, is saturated with drug abuse, high unemployment, industry flight, poverty and teen pregnancy. I thank God the Wesley/Bailey Chapel Project addresses these issues. We work with at-risk children and youth, low-income families, older adults and persons affected by HIV/AIDS. We offer affordable child care, pay utility bills, provide food, repair and renovate homes, and tutor students. Much of our outreach is interfaith through the Delta Ministers Fellowship which includes more than 20 pastors from several denominations.

One of our programs—home rehabilitation—enables people to maintain their property, thereby promoting the health and welfare of the entire community. In a recent year we worked on 19 homes, completing 17 with work teams. One team renovated the home of a man I’ll call “Joe.” Joe lives alone and uses an electric wheelchair. He was having trouble getting around his house because the doors were too narrow to accommodate his wheelchair. A work team of youth widened the doorways, enabling Joe to move easily throughout his home.

“I feel much safer because I can get into and out of the bedroom and the bathroom,” Joe said. “I thank God for the youth of this volunteer team.”

We receive a lot from the people we serve. They are so thankful for what we do, but they don’t realize how much they do for us: giving us an opportunity to minister.

My mentor taught me that missionaries should expect to work themselves out of a job. When we go into a community, we identify problems and try to find persons in the area who can address those problems. Then we step back and let the people from the community move forward to solve the problems.

The best part of my job is the chance to witness about Jesus Christ and to demonstrate God’s love for all people. Through the Advance for Christ and His Church, I can do that. Thank you!

God, in Christ we are a new creation. Show us how to serve so that others will find new life and renewed hope through Jesus. In your name we pray. Amen.

—Governor Mays, church and community worker, Wesley/Bailey Chapel Project, Arkansas Conference, McGehee, Ark.

	See Also... Topic: AIDS/HIV |  Children |  Christian love |  Communities |  Ecumenical |  Health |  Missionaries |  United Methodist Church |  Women |  Youth |  Advance |  Partners/partnerships |  Methodism |  Older adults |  Geographic Region: South Central U.S. |  United States |  Source: Advance
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Date posted: Jun 11, 2006