An Army from Friendswood Supports Lufkin

FRIENDSWOOD, Texas - Aug. 1, 2016 - PRLog -- Known as UM Army (United Methodist Action Reach-Out Missions by Youth), this group of high school youth and adult leaders accepted their mission this year to aid the folk in Lufkin by building wheelchair ramps, staircases, and conduct badly needed house repairs.

"It has always been the mission of our church to go and serve those who are in need." says Reverend Jim Bass, Senior Pastor of Friendswood United Methodist.  "Through an extensive network made of local Methodist congregations and various state and local social services, we are able to pinpoint the folks who are in most desperate need, those who may be too weak to do essential home repairs or those who because of health concerns cannot leave their homes to the outside world."

From July 16^th through the 23^rd , the UM Army youth and adults worked in the heat of East Texas Lufkin area at 20 different work sites.  Over a mile of lumber was used, 256 square feet of porch were installed, 9 windows installed, 3 exterior walls repaired and 289 linear feet of wheelchair ramps were built.

The local Friendswood United Methodist volunteer leaders get to work about a year before the week of service begins.  "The amount of coordination and support from the Friendswood community at the early stage is amazing" says Dee Ann Emberton, this year's UM Army leader.  "Sites are surveyed, materials gathered, tools collected.  To see so much generosity come from Friendswood is almost overwhelming."

"All of this was done for the pure purpose of service, free service to those in need." states Rev. Gale Towns, Associate Pastor of Mission and Outreach. "People often ask why we do this hard work in the heat, all this effort…we do this because so much has been given to us from God when we've never deserved it, so our response to all of that is to go and do the same for others."

Cole Hermes, the Director of Youth reported, "What seems funny about all this service, the recipients of the aid surely appreciates it of course, but the high school teens who volunteer for this are changed as well.  When you give an opportunity to directly affect someone's life in a profound way, deep maturity and responsibility suddenly emerge…a pattern for service is formed which follow these youth into their adult life."

The committee will meet again in a few weeks to begin planning for next year's mission.  For continued information about this and other ongoing service opportunities, you can visit the church's website at www.friendswoodumc.com.

Friendswood United Methodist Church is dedicated to sharing the life changing power of Christ everywhere and every day.  A place to belong, believe and become.  http://www.friendswoodumc.com/