Project nominations are now being accepted for the 2007 "River of Life Mission Advance" which will be held in Lincoln County July 18-21.

Sponsored by the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC), River of Life is an interdenominational program that gives young people the opportunity to use paint brushes, hammers, sweat, wood, smiles, and shingles to minister to those in need. Basically, the program offers teenagers and their adult leaders a glimpse into what it means to have a servant's heart by getting them out of the pews and into the trenches, performing hands-on ministry.

Last year, volunteers made improvements to 16 residences during River of Life.

According to Leigh and Chuck Beggs, River of Life directors, work at each site is normally done in one of three areas: painting the exterior of the house, re-shingling the roof, or building a wheelchair ramp and/ or porch. Under some circumstances, volunteers may even be assigned to do minor yard work and/or build a play set for children.

"Please note that due to equipment limitations and safety factors, we do not re-shingle or paint two-story houses, and we do not work on metal roofs," Mr. Beggs said. "Also, we only use latex exterior paint. Please consider these limitations when you nominate a house for River of Life."

Beggs went on to explain, "When evaluating a request, we must first determine if we can handle the project. Then we try to select a few of each type (painting, roofing, building, and yard work) and spread our help around the county. Typically, we can re-shingle two single-story houses, build five or six wheelchair ramps or porches, and paint the exterior of from four to nine houses, depending on whether we are painting the entire house or trim only."

River of Life organizers are asking people to consider themselves and their neighbors for project nominations. Those having more than one nomination in any one area should prioritize their nominations based on the greatest need. For example, if an individual has two nominations for a building project, he should list the one most needed first.

Applicants are likewise being asked to prioritize their nominations for each category of work.

Nomination forms are available at Lincolnton UMC, just inside the right entrance facing Peachtree Street, or at the church office, located in the basement of the fellowship hall, from 8 a.m. until 12 noon Monday through Friday. The forms may also be obtained at the Lincoln County Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) on Peachtree Street between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Those who are unable to drop by the church or DFCS may have their nomination form mailed to then by calling the church office at 706- 359-4339.

The forms may either be returned to the church office or mailed to Leigh and Chuck Beggs at P.O. Box 1157, Lincolnton, Georgia, 30817.

The deadline for submitting the nomination forms is March 31.

For more information about River of Life, call Leigh or Chuck Beggs at 706-359-2545.

The first-ever River of Life was organized by Rev. Bob Beckwith in 1991 while he was serving as pastor of Lincolnton UMC. Now, 16 years later, the ministry has grown to the point where a number of communities are offering River of Life programs to their young people.