For 20 years, through Kentucky Changers, students have done exterior home repairs for low-income families across Kentucky. Initially modeled after World Changers, Kentucky Changers goes way beyond the typical “summer camp” experience. Participants are challenged to become “On Mission” Christians as they live out their faith while getting dirty doing hard work. A week with Kentucky Changers changes communities, students, and homeowners.
In 2013, Kentucky WMU agreed to take responsibility for Changers and called Peggy Murphy as the Kentucky Changers Coordinator. We are excited to have such a tremendous ministry in the WMU family. Changers is a great opportunity for churches that would like to involve students in a mission trip experience at an affordable cost. Kentucky WMU does the planning and all the arrangements. Churches simply register their students for the date and location that works best, then start the pre-trip preparation that is vital for students to get the most out of their Changers experience. Participants prepare themselves spiritually, physically and evangelistically before the Changers week. Youth groups need to plan and carry out a pre-project mission event in their own community which helps them learn about team work.
The cost per person for Saturday to Friday projects is $200 and $190 for Sunday to Friday projects. The fee includes food and lodging, T-shirt, discipleship materials, worship leaders, as well as all project work site preparations. Designed to be a hands on mission trip experience, students can enjoy hard work, Spirit-filled worship, great fellowship and lots of fun. Each church group will need one adult chaperone per five students of the same gender. Adults are assigned to a crew as crew encouragers and work with students on the job site all week.
The 2014 Kentucky Changers theme is Answering the Call. Help students this summer have the experience of Answering the Call through ministry to people in need. It’s an experience that continues to have an impact on students long after the summer is over. It’s an experience that lasts for eternity when homeowners and/or students commit their lives to Christ.
It is to God’s glory that we will be in five locations this summer. (One more was added after the publicity piece was printed!) With getting a late start on preparations for 2014, we would have been happy with three weeks and locations this first year of Kentucky WMU responsibility for Changers. To have five locations is outstanding and we are already being contacted about 2015 as well.
Registration is now open! Sign up your middle school, high school, or college students today. www.kywmu.org/changers
