Instead of just wondering what he could do to serve his own neighbors back in 1992, Mike Jones reached out to create a program that allows thousands of teens each year to meet many ‘neighbors’ and serve their needs, changing the lives of both the servant and those being served.
This week—21 years later—Jones’ brainchild that resulted in the creation of “Reach Workcamps” has brought almost 300 young people and their Christian leaders from eight states to Logan County. Together they will serve new neighbors by renovating and improving the living conditions of 25 or more families in the Russellville area.
Reach Workcamps is a week-long mission of service to low-income communities. Working with local agencies and/or local churches, the camps aspire to make an impact on residents, communities, students and the adults who accompany them. A camp is described as a life-changing experience as campers participate in activities that build community and self-esteem, encourage spiritual growth and enable them to understand their role in combating poverty. Reach strives to be the industry leader by providing the highest quality Christian mission trips for junior and senior high youth groups.
Groups making LCHS their home this week range in size from eight teens from a church in Bloomington, Ill. to 61 from a congregation in Farmington Hills, Mich. One group of nine is from Bowling Green—Ohio, not Kentucky. There is even more of a local connection than Bowling Green, however. Mike Duncan, youth minister of Second Baptist Church in Russellville, is bringing 10 members of his group to camp out in classrooms at 2200 Bowling Green Road (Logan County High School).
Other groups in Russellville this week are from Illinois cities Poplar Grove, St. Charles, Elgin, Plainfield and Mackinaw: Bloomfield Hills and Bloomington, both in Michigan; New Philadelphia, Ohio; Harrisburg, Penn.; Crossville, Tenn.; and Monroe, N.C.
The campers will do work for about 25 property owners who either live in Russellville or within 20 miles of the city. They will do projects that include basic weatherization, painting, repair and construction of porches, steps, wheelchair ramps and out buildings. All repairs are made at no cost to the homeowners. Experienced maintenance and home repair volunteers make daily on-site visits to ensure quality workmanship and to assist workcampers with the skills necessary to complete their projects.
The sites were selected earlier this year. Reach has been working with Doris Vick, executive director of Concerned Citizens of Logan County, to find those who have a need for the repairs. Applications were submitted in March at the Concerned Citizens office, and the group’s ‘neighbors’ were selected as a result.
“When we started doing this, we were calling the people we helped ‘clients,’ but they are more than that,” Jones said Friday while overseeing his staff’s work in preparation for the campers’ arrival. “The Bible talks about serving your neighbor and about who is your neighbor, so we decided the people we help are out neighbors.”
Christian service is the focal point of Reach Workcamps, which are headquartered in Galeton, Col. “We used the research of the Search Institute of Minnesota in 1992, which showed 8 of 10 churches wanted to help others but only 3 of 10 were doing it,” Jones said. “A national survey that year also showed that over 800,000 American were living in poverty. We decided to work toward bridging the gap between those who want to serve and those in need.”
Three men were involved in creating Reach Workcamps in Jones’ garage. “It was a big step when we got heat in that garage a couple of years later,” he laughs. The concept was so well received that Jones soon gave up his job as a high school math teacher and coach to work with Reach Workcampsfull-time. One of the other founders, Jerry Winsor, serves as board president. He is currently at a simultaneous camp now underway in Sylacauga, Ala. Reach has six full-time employees and hires 14 college students as ‘interns’ each summer. Seven of them are at one of two sites each of the next four weeks.
Much planning goes into each camp. The staff has been preparing for this week for about a year and a half. The locations for next year’s camps have already been determined. This year the fee per camper was $375 if paid by last Nov. 1. Those who came aboard after that paid $399 each.
Having a camp in Kentucky this summer brings back memories for Jones, since the first camp in 1992 was held in Madisonville, just a couple of hours down the road. Reach was encouraged to come to Logan County by one of the organization’s regular volunteers, Jeremy Duncan, who is a teacher and coach in Ohio. His brother, Dan Duncan, teaches and coaches at LCHS. In fact, Dan and his family entertained the camp staff at their Auburn home Thursday night. His wife Ann teaches at Stevenson Elementary School.
Preparing for camp involves more than accepting reservations, securing a host site and choosing projects for work groups. Also involved is preparing a theme and program for each camp. This year the theme involves a large airport terminal where many decisions are being made in the travelers’ (camp members’)plans.
The auxiliary gym at LCHS has been converted into a large gathering area complete with a stage filled with props. Those materials have been brought to Russellville in one of two large rental trucks, along with many of the food items that this large group will need during this week.
The script for the stage production—written primarily by Jones each year—is called Journey this year.The seven cast members are the interns who are working at the camp. Erin Anderson plays a girl who works as a barista but believes her real calling in life is ministering to travelers. Emily Gendrue has been a Christian since she was very young but now wants to get more involved in mission work. Torie Pletkovick has won a trip to any place in the world, but she must first determine if her trip is for pleasure or service.
Mickey McNeece uses the airport as his mission field. Mike Crisman is dealing with the divorce of his parents that has them living on two coasts. J.T. Metzler, a new Christian, is trying to find out how Christians live out their faith on a daily basis. Paul Wright is the sound and light man, using both to “captivate and communicated the message.”
Crisman has a big leadership role in the Logan County camp. He’s well prepared for it as a recent ROTC graduate from Purdue University, who will begin his full-time military role this fall.
Correspondingly, the campers are divided into small work groups, and members play important roles in making them successful. Each group is choosing six leaders. The first is the Devotion Leader, who leads the workcrew in daily On-Site Devotions. The Supply Manager picks up the crew’s tools and materials from the Tool Room. The Site Reporter orders additional tools and materials for the worksite. The Lunch Maker is responsible for picking up the crew’s lunch every morning during breakfast. The Break Maker picks up the crew’s ice and “break pop” and makes sure everyone is drinking plenty of water. The Medic is the safety monitor and has the first-aid supplies.
“Give kids a chance to perform and serve, and they’ll come through,” Mike Jones has learned from experience.
Wednesday afternoons are always free at the camps. Groups are encouraged to visit fun area sites and eat at a restaurant. Sites suggested on the http://www.reachwc.org website include the National Corvette Museum, Bowling Green Ballpark, Greenwood Mall, Russell Sims Aquatic Center and Lake Malone State Park. Seven Russellville restaurants are suggested along with six Bowling Green eateries. None are of the fast food variety, although Jones knows many groups will make a stop by McDonald’s , Arby’s and similar facilities on the hot days ahead. “An ice cream shop near the high school would do very well this week,” he said.
Many other opportunities exist for local businesses to see an increase in volume from these visitors coming into the area exist. They campers will be buying gasoline and personal items while they are here. Reach Workcamps will purchase lumber, paint and other building supplies. Jones says he has been dealing with Jeff Harper at Farmers Hardware in Russellville.
The camp lasts through Friday night. The campers will then go home Saturday while Jones and his crew head to other camps, which will be in New York, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.
“I believe that Christians don’t have any other choice than to serve,” Jones said. “Jesus said he came to serve, not to be served. When we serve, we move one stop closer to Jesus.”
Upon being told that a similar work week was conducted by Kentucky Baptist Builders with Logan County High School as its headquarters a few years ago Mike Jones said, “There are many good groups across the country who do good work, and there are plenty of people in need for all of us to share. I’d love to fight over the last family that needs help. The day that happens, we’ll all have a party, probably in heaven.”