Stella Prather
Arkansas Baptist News
As the father of 15 children and grandfather of 47 grandchildren, Henry Baker thought he had seen all kinds of “kids.” But the Little Rock man says a group of teens he recently encountered is one of a kind.
“I think they are great,” says Baker, speaking of a group of teens that re-roofed and painted his home July 21-27. “I’ve never seen kids like this.”
Pointing to the young adults nailing shingles on his home July 27, Baker said, “You don’t find many who will get up and do something like that … in the hot heat. The job they are doing … is just amazing. You just don’t see kids like that anymore.”
Baker and his wife, Barbara, were among several senior adult families in Little Rock that received home improvements through a partnership between the City of Little Rock and World Changers, Inc., a ministry project of the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Now in its 17th year, World Changers, Inc. allows teenagers to share God’s love by providing free labor to communities in need.
During the week-long ministry project, nearly 400 students and adults, representing 19 churches from nine states, helped paint and roof 26 homes in and around the mid-town Little Rock area. The City of Little Rock supplied needed project materials.
This is the second year World Changers have come to Little Rock. Another 130 World Changers ministered in Pine Bluff July 14-21.
Joining in the Little Rock World Changer’s project were several Arkansas Baptists churches who provided meals for the student workers. These churches hailed from the North Pulaski and Pulaski Baptist Associations.
Among the Little Rock student volunteers was Andy Blauser, a high school senior from Round Rock, Texas. Noting that he has, in the past, taken part in several mission trips, Blauser said, participating in World Changers was another opportunity to be obedient to God’s call on his life to be a missionary.
“This (World Changers) is a chance to actually put feet to my faith and faith without works is dead,” said Blauser.
Greg Shamblin of Cumming, Ga., was among 57 volunteers from First Redeemer Church of Cumming who helped work on the Baker family home. This is the second year church members from the Atlanta-area church have ministered in Little Rock.
“My daughter came last year and she came back and said, ‘Dad why don’t you go next year.’ … So here I am,” shared Shamblin, adding that his participation has motivated him to recommit his life to God.
“It has touched my heart working with these kids,” says a tearful Shamblin. “You can see God working through them.”
At the completion of each home project, every Little Rock family was presented with a Bible and a photo of their work crew.
Baker said he won’t soon forget his World Changer team.
“I think they did a real great, a real great job,” said Baker. “You know they could be out getting in trouble, but instead they are here.”
“I think this is one of the best things that has ever happened to us,” adds Baker. I’ve really enjoyed watching what they are doing for us. I’ve never seen children work like that.”
