Work Camp Paints Mid-Ohio Valley!
Recently over 370 adults and youth from eight states and 26 churches of Christ met in Parkersburg, W.Va., for the 6th Annual Mid-Ohio Valley Work Camp (MOVWC).
MOVWC volunteers, under the direction of Kevin Lombard, youth minister at the Grand Central Church of Christ, in Vienna, W.Va., painted 33 houses in just four days.
“God greatly blessed our efforts, and each year we continue to grow,” noted Lombard. “There was a tremendous spirit that surrounded this year’s project. It was great to see young people from around the country give of their time and energy to put others before themselves in this act of service,” he said. “They truly let their lights shine before God,” he said.
This year the effort was recognized by the city of Parkersburg, W. Va., as an outstanding example of community service. Parkersburg City Councilman Rick Modesitt was on-hand at the MOVWC recognition banquet to present a resolution declaring the third week of June to be Mid-Ohio Valley Work Camp Week throughout the city.
The first year MOVWC began, back in 1998, the group painted six houses with only 75 people. “We’re now in our sixth year and we have painted a total of 112 homes throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley,” noted Lombard. “With God’s help, we’ll continue to do bigger and better things for the community—that’s our commitment.” He said.
Lombard and his committee intend to paint 35 houses and have a group of 425 teens and adults during the 2005 project. “We have an aggressive goal, but we also have a very dedicated committee that works hard to organize every aspect of the work camp experience,” Lombard noted. “I’m very grateful for them. From scouting and arranging houses to paint, to organizing food and devotional services each evening, they do everything with enthusiasm and a servant spirit,” he said.
Lombard described the spirit of the week as “amazing,” saying that everyone really seemed to “connect” on a spiritual level. Devotional services were held each evening on the campus of Ohio Valley College led by Pat Pugh, an OVC alumnus and minister for the Cincinnati Urban Ministry Outreach in Cincinnati, Ohio. “We had 34 baptisms and at least 20 people came forward asking for special prayers,” Lombard observed. “Personally, it was very inspirational to me,” he said.
When asked about rain dates, Lombard smiled. “We have had only one day of rain during the entire six years we’ve been doing this. Rain or shine Work Camp will continue to serve,” he vowed.
For more information about participating in the Mid-Ohio Valley Work Camp, contact Kevin Lombard at the Grand Central Church of Christ at 304-295-5116 or visit www.grandcentralchurch.com.
