Youth from across the nation will converge on Columbia this summer to provide a variety of mission work throughout the region.
Youthworks, an organization dedicated to providing summer service experiences for students, will have groups headed to the area for the entire summer.
Drew Powell, a Columbia native and Columbia High School graduate who now lives in Nashville, Tenn., spoke about the efforts to attendees at a recent Marion County Development Partnership Catchy Friday breakfast.
“It’s exciting because I grew up in Columbia,” Powell said. “Youthworks exists to connect teenagers to God. We love communities, and we love teenagers. We serve in about 60 communities across the United States, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico. We empower teenagers and believe that they are not just the church of tomorrow, they are the church of today.”
About 300 teenagers will be in Marion County, representing various Christian denominations from places like Texas, North Carolina, Tennessee, Minnesota and Illinois.
During the summer, 50 to 60 students per week will come will do repairs and maintenance on homes for senior citizens and others in need, visit nursing homes and conduct activities with the residents and so much more, according to Powell.
“We’re going to work with local pastors and community leaders to find those in need,” he said. “Maybe they need a fresh coat of paint on their home or yard work done. We also love kids, and we plan on working with Shannon Willis to bring a children’s camp to Harvest Ministries for foster children.”
The students will serve in the community from around Memorial Day through August.
Powell said that many times teens get a bad rap, and organizations such as Youthworks are out to change that.
“In reality, there are many good stories about teens and service,” he said. “There are stories about what teenagers are doing to change the world. I want to share the idea of teenagers coming to serve in Marion County to be an agent of change.”
More information will be available as the times approach for students to visit Marion County. Powell suggested making recommendations to local pastors and leaders about ways the youth ages 12 through 18 could serve.
For more information, visit www.youthworks.com.
Pictured Above: Columbia native Drew Powell recently spoke to attendees at the Marion County Development Partnership’s Catchy Friday breakfast about Youthworks. | Photo by Mark Rogers
