|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
By Christie Ponjican August
20, 2007 Nothing has rocked my comfy little world like the tremendous impact that close to 1,500 students and adult volunteers made last Friday, August 10, 2007 at North American Youth Congress (NAYC).
They sought out to make a lasting impression on the city of Charlotte, and they did it with incredible passion that shouted to others, “We are here to serve you, and show love to our neighbors.”
The Charlotte Observer offered headlines like “Religion rocks at Super Bowl of Pentecost” where the city was informed that:
“Those attending are participating in a community service project with Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. They were asked to bring a canned food item to the Bobcats Arena. Today, they will take part in Project 22:39, named after the commandment to “love thy neighbor” in Matthew 22:39. From 2:30 to 5 p.m., they will pack backpacks with nutritious food for children in danger of hunger.”
Shocked? Yeah! I think the City of Charlotte was shocked by our efforts in showing God’s love in a practical way.
We were all over Charlotte and Mecklenburg County on Friday, August 10th from 2:30 p.m. until 5 p.m.
I heard of one student ministry that offered to help pick-up around their hotel during Project 22:39. This was their way of giving back and showing God’s love.
“We love the Pentecostals.” Andrew and Amanda Wilson a.k.a. “Amandrew” headed the Senior Package efforts at Second Harvest Metrolina Food Bank Warehouse. Andrew Wilson said:
“We packed over 370 boxes for the elderly and those who are unable to leave their home,” “These meals will supplement their meals-on-wheels, and will be especially important when meals-on-wheels cannot deliver to them for one reason or another . . . a young man who worked in the warehouse commented as he was walking by, ‘We love the Pentecostals.’
“To me, this was significant, because this event served to promote a positive mentality toward our conference and toward Pentecostalism (I don't have to tell you, but we haven't always had that with some people).”
10,000 Meals to the Hungry We raised over $2,000 during three days at NAYC for Second Harvest Food Bank— 10,000 people will now have a meal, because of the financial support of the 2007 North American Youth Congress attendees.
Jeremy White and Thomas Sellers headed the Kids Back Pack efforts with Second Harvest at the Bobcats Arena.
Here’s what Donna Ragan at Second Harvest Metrolina said:
“As I told you earlier, there has never been a more devoted, precise, caring group than the ones that we witnessed today. These amazing young people and their group leaders finished these projects in record time . . .then looked and asked if there was another way they could help us.
The project at the arena was an amazing event and the food bank event at the warehouse was the same. They have touched all of us . . . please, if given the opportunity, share these words with them. As of 5 p.m. today—with food and fund donations, they are helping to supply meals to almost 10,000 people!”
Redecorating Charlotte Lori Saylor, Director of Parks and Recreational Facilities in Mecklenburg County took over 1,200 of our volunteers to various parks during Project 22:39. Her work has left me amazed! She said:
“I want to thank each of you for the hard work you put into Friday's Project 22:39. The weather certainly worked against us but from our perspective we thought it was a very successful day. Our staff was overwhelmed by the amount of work you all did . . . they just could not believe how hard you all worked considering the conditions. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you!!”
Jonathan Walker who was one of the speakers at Congress, took his youth group from Cincinnati, OH into park beautification. His group mulched and trimmed trees with a group from Bristol, TN. “What a dynamic way to prove Christ lives in us,” he said. “We often tell others we are Apostolic, in Charlotte our students were able to show city officials and park representatives we are Apostolic.”
Honor Where Honor is Due Those who made this the success that it was should be recognized and honored.
Thanks to the General Youth Division guys for thinking this thing up! (I mean, I know it’s biblical, but they gave us a way this year to put our words into action!)
To all the volunteers: you guys absolutely rock! If it were not for you and your willingness to jump on board, this could have never happened. I know you guys worked in temperatures upwards of 104 F—great is your reward in heaven!
Many thanks to my team:
A Cast of Caring Pentecostals You didn’t think just one person did all this did you?
Hiccups Anyone? I have to admit, however, through all of this great feedback, there were a few hiccups. In dealing with a large number of people, as much of a perfectionist as I am, I guess this was bound to happen.
There were vans without people and people without vans in front of the Bobcats Arena when it was time to be in route to a park/recreational facility. There were a few that did not receive emails with their assignment prior to Congress. Thanks be to God, that I had wireless internet, Dan’s laptop and our fancy little printer!
Which leads me to giving major kudos to all that provided transportation to the Charlotte van crew and the District buses that were made available, I cannot say thank you enough!
Let’s Be Honest . . . We can all do something! As Danny Rivers shared on Friday afternoon before Project 22:39—Go be the church!
ninetyandnine.com
© 2007, Christie Ponjican
---------- Christie Ponjican is a fundraiser for The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. (She is also working on ways to raise monies for SFC!) She experiences corporate worship on Sundays at Heavenview in Winston-Salem, NC. After endless emails, Christie was so pleased to finally meet Kent d Curry at NAYC. No one’s sure why. |
|
|
