By By Steve Gillespie/The Meridian Star
June 28, 2001
More than 200 high school students from across the United States are changing the world in Meridian this week.
For the second year, World Changers, a student ministry initiative of the North American Mission Board, is in town doing home repairs at 15 sites for people who are either physically or financially unable to have the repairs done themselves.
The 208 students, who will return to their homes Saturday, are staying at Calvary Christian School. The volunteers are required to be high school students.
Calvary Baptist Church provides breakfast and supper for the students. Local churches affiliated with the Lauderdale Baptist Association deliver lunches to the students at their work sites. Their materials are provided through funds raised by the city from private individuals and businesses. The volunteers pay all other expenses associated with the project.
The city of Meridian's Planning Division of the Community Development Department complies a list of low income, owner occupied residences that need minor repairs and World Changers selects the homes its volunteers will work on.
Most of the work being done in Meridian involves roofing repairs and painting touch-ups. The World Changers are split into crews to work on the sites.
For Joshua Simmons, 16, of Lake City, S.C., the volunteer mission work gives him the chance to do something he truly loves spread the gospel. This is his third year to participate in the World Changers program. He traveled to Savannah, Ga. and Norfolk, Va., in previous years.
In some neighborhoods Simmons has worked in, he said he saw people who don't feel anyone loves them.
This is Linzi Lloyd's first year as a World Changer. The 15-year-old from Plano, Texas came with 40 other members of her church youth group. Doing work for people who really appreciate it is what attracted her to the prospect.
Steve Gillespie is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3233, or e-mail him at sgillespie@themeridianstar.com.