Church’s Youth Mission Group Builds Faith, Friendship At Home

Kathleen Morgan could hardly believe her eyes once the blindfold was removed.

Her old house on Sundance Drive in West Tawakoni was gone. Adjacent to it was a newly constructed home and a throng of young people and adults clapping and cheering.

"I’m just overwhelmed right now," Morgan said as she walked up the new wheelchair ramp and into the front room. "I’m shaking…I can’t believe it."

A youth missions program at First United Methodist Church in Quinlan made it all happen. Morgan’s property was one of five worksites in the area where young people made repairs or did construction work with trained adults to lead them.

"They have built two wheelchair ramps this week, painted another house for a couple both in wheelchairs, put a roof on a trailer, done renovation work on another place and put in insulation and sheet rock," senior high youth group director Joseph Armstrong said.

The house construction project had a special story behind it, he added.

"Her husband had started building a new house next to the old one here, but he passed away before it was finished. It was just basically a shell. It needed insulation and sheetrock as well as fixtures," Armstrong said.

Morgan, a longtime supporter of the Tawakoni Area Public Library, has been diagnosed with lupus, Armstrong said, making a new wheelchair ramp for the home a necessity.

He said he did not have a problem finding willing workers in the youth group, even with outdoor temperatures near 100 last week.

"We’ve had a great time working out here. They have all had great attitudes the whole week," Armstrong said. "We have kept plenty of water at all the worksites, and the ladies at the church have provided food each day."

"It has been awesome out here, just knowing we can help her (Morgan)," Jacob Frazier of Quinlan said.

"I’ve learned a lot of stuff and it also has been a reminder to be thankful for everything I have, and never take it all for granted," he said.

Armstrong pointed out that the mission program was structured to allow the young people, most ranging from 12-18 years of age, to do the work themselves.

"We set it up so there are team leaders at each site. We told them not to do the work themselves but to assist the young people and teach them how to do the building work," he explained.

Several Quinlan-area businesses donated items and supplies, and several individuals with construction expertise donated their time.

First United Methodist Church pastor Wally Williams said he was impressed with the outpouring of time and energy to make something special happen for a local resident.

"This work allows us to spread Jesus throughout the community. It’s one thing to talk about it, it’s another to walk it," he said.

Williams praised the work of everyone involved both at the worksites and in support roles.

"Not one element of it can exist without all of it. It takes all of the church body working together…It’s amazing to me, as long as I’ve been in Christian work, to see it all come together like this," he said.

Youth group member Megan Harper of Quinlan said the ministry work also brought the youths themselves closer.

"This wouldn’t be possible without the Lord," she said. "Spending a week with people you normally just see on Sunday has been rewarding…the friendships built and everything, it has been great to spend a week with these people."

In past years, Armstrong said, the youth group has gone on mission trips to Mexico. This year, they decided there was just as much need in their own backyard, he said.

Kathleen Morgan is one person who is glad they turned their attention locally.

"I’m overjoyed and so grateful for my pastor and my church…I can’t say how grateful I am. I didn’t know how I was going to do it," she said, referring to the task of completing the new house.

Williams said the youths involved will take more than basic construction and carpentry skills from the experience.

"They have not only learned how to do that, but how to make an impact in people’s lives," he said. "They will never forget that."