Youth groups help renovate Arkansas children’s home

As I’ve shared before, I have a soft spot in my heart for Christian children’s homes.
My parents, Bob and Judy Ross, served 25 years as houseparents at Christ’s Haven for Children in Keller, Texas. My grandparents Lloyd and Margaret Ross also spent time as houseparents at Christ’s Haven, and before that, worked with Children’s Homes Inc. in Paragould, Ark. (Papa is 92, while Grandma died late last year.)

Image from the Children’s Home Inc. Web site. (www.childrenshomes.org)

All that came to mind because I spotted an interesting news article about youth groups from three congregations helping out at the Paragould home:

Volunteers from three out-of-state Church of Christ youth groups spent time helping Children’s Homes renovate some of its inside and outside facilities this week.
Volunteers from Glendale Road Church of Christ from Murray, Ky.; Cedar Rapids Central Church of Christ from Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Vaughn Hill Church of Christ from East Alton, Ill., worked alongside residents from the Paragould Children’s Home to begin renovations to an old schoolhouse which will soon be made into a wellness center, a storage area which will soon be made into an extra housing area, and moved playground equipment and gravel to make way for a new playground to be set up.

Read the full story.

• Feedback
  When youth groups spend their time learning to serve others, rather than being served and entertained, the Lord is glorified and their spirituality is deepened, increasing the chances that they will stay faithful all their life. God Bless them.

  DeLynn Ennis

  July, 15 2010

  I was not directly involved in the activities that our youth group participated in at Paragould Children’s Home, but I can assure you that our Youth Minister, Nick Hutchens, who led and coordinated our team’s efforts speaks most favorably of the entire operation, the Children’s Home personnel, the children and chaperones involved. Our young people were helped immeasurably. Truly a win-win! Praise God!

  John Dale

  July, 15 2010

  Bobby, thanks for passing this along to your readers!
  On behalf of Children’s Homes, I want to express our thanks for a great week of Workcamp. We were amazed at how much work these young people accomplished, and also at the amount of fun they had doing it.
  To me, the best part of the week was the relationships that developed between the young people who live at Children’s Homes and those visiting from the Glendale Road, Vaughn Hill, and Central congregations. Our kids are still buzzing about the week and their new friends, and they will be for quite some time!
  We’re hoping to make this an annual event at Children’s Homes and Crowley’s Ridge Youth Camp!
  Terry Austin
  Children’s Homes, Inc.
  Director of Public Relations
  [email protected]

  Terry Austin

  July, 15 2010