Volunteers give makeover ministry facility a facelift

Posted: 10/27/06

Volunteers give makeover ministry facility a facelift

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

WAXAHACHIE—A ministry that gives people’s lives a makeover received a remodel of its own recently.

Texas Baptist volunteers painted the facilities, repaired shingles and removed overgrown landscaping from Christian Women’s Job Corps of Ellis County.

Mallory Harrell, a state Acteens panelist and member of Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston, prepares to paint a wall in a house used to temporarily shelter homeless people.

The volunteers’ work mirrored the makeover that Christian Women’s Job Corps workers encourage in people’s lives, said Executive Director Kathy Borroughs. Women have entered the program—which teaches women vocational skills and disciples them spiritually—with low self-esteem and few vocational skills, and they have graduated with a job and a sense of purpose as a result of newfound faith in Christ.

“We’re beginning to see changes in these ladies,” she said. “They’re excited to come everyday. They hug you everyday.”

Participants in the program will be encouraged to know Baptists traveled from around the state to help a ministry that helps them, Borroughs said.

“It’s fantastic,” she said. “We wanted to do something to spruce up the home.”

The work at the CWJC of Ellis County was part of TouchPoint, a Woman's Missionary Union of Texas-sponsored missions weekend Oct. 13-15. More than 300 Texas Baptists participated in missions projects across Ellis County, which included a block party, prayer walking, a fiesta, construction projects, children’s activities and motorcycle rally.

Lakeside Drive Baptist Church in Weatherford used the weekend as a retreat where fathers and sons could bond through mission work. The time together provided an easy way for fathers and sons to talk about spiritual issues.

“It’s a precious time,” said Larry Floyd, the church’s youth and education minister. “Between the ages of 13 and 18, important spiritual decisions are made.”

Nicole McClendon paints a door of a house used to provide temporary shelter for homeless people. McLendon's work was part of TouchPoint, a Woman's Missionary Union of Texas-sponsored missions event.

Patricia Boquet, who teaches Girls in Action at Arcadia First Baptist Church, said TouchPoint allowed her to bond with her daughter while practicing what she teaches young people in her church.

The Bible “talks about everyone going” on mission, she said, referring to a passage that encourages Christians to minister around the globe.

“I don’t speak French very well. Ellis County is a good place” to serve.

Larry Johnson, director of missions of Ellis Baptist Association, said he was pleased to see so many Texas Baptists care about ministries in his area of the state.

“I see God’s people empowered to do ministry,” he said. “I’m excited to see all the people willing to serve.”