In early August, 27 volunteers spent a week on roofs and porches in metro Peoria, meeting physical needs and sharing Christ during the first-ever Illinois Changers project for adults.
The statewide initiative, modeled after World Changers missions projects, started several years ago as a way for junior high and high school students to experience hands-on missions and corporate worship over a weekend at Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp. The Peoria project was the first Illinois Changers week designed specifically for adults and college students.
Glen Carty, a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Carlinville, worked with a team of volunteers at the home of a mother and her children. They replaced the family’s back porch, which was rotted and falling off of the back of the house.
“She thanked us many times and her young son was so excited for it to be completed,” Carty said. At another home, the group worked on a woman’s roof, half of which had previously been replaced. “She was very grateful and her son helped with the project,” Carty said. “She shared that she had payed to have half of the roof done, but just did not have the funds to do the other half.”
The Illinois Changers volunteers worked on seven homes, including two roofs, four porches, and two drywall projects. In the evenings, they gathered for worship and a message by IBSA’s Jack Lucas.
“Illinois Changers is a great opportunity to experience a mission project within a reasonable traveling distance,” Carty said. “There is just something about spending time with fellow Christians that revives the soul.”
The next scheduled Illinois Changers projects are for students in grades 7-12. Illinois Changers will be at Streator Baptist Camp Sept. 15-16, and at Lake Sallateeksa Sept. 22-23. For more information about the projects and other missions opportunities for children, students, and adults, go to IBSA.org/missions.