River of Life volunteers minister to community

Volunteers made improvements to approximately 30 local residences during Lincoln County River of Life 2007 held July 18-22. Pictured painting a house on Groves Street are: (seated, l-r) Jillyan Thompson, Marvin UMC; Amanda Sims, Lincolnton UMC; Maclaine Garrison, Lewis Memorial UMC; (standing) Max Ashmore, Lincolnton UMC; Haley Minton, Lewis UMC; Zeb Ashmore and Beth Ashmore, Lincolnton UMC; Alice Padgett, Wesley UMC; Kathryn Poss, New Work Baptist Church; and Heather Wright, Lewis UMC.

For the past 17 years, area teenagers or "angels" have touched lives and learned lessons in servanthood through "River of Life."

The interdenominational ministry is sponsored by the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC), under the direction of Rev. Bob Beckwith.

In fact, it was Rev. Beckwith who organized the first River of Life in 1991, while he was serving as pastor of Lincolnton UMC. Since then, the ministry has grown to the point where 14 different communities are presently offering River of Life programs to their young people.

Members of the American Legion Post 194 Ladies Auxiliary treated the River of Life volunteers to a picnic lunch at the Post Home. Pictured are: (l-r) Christian Fush, Marvin UMC; Hannah Mongrue, First Assembly of God; Montana Dawkins, Lincolnton UMC; Aley Fush, Marvin UMC; and Pat Mays, first vice president of the Post 194 Ladies Auxiliary.

Hosted each year by Lincolnton UMC, River of Life 2007 ran from July 18 through July 22. Although the heat and humidity were daunting, these young people had the time of their lives, using elbow grease, paint, nails, lumber, and smiles to minister to those in need.

One of the program's goals is to bridge the gaps - racial, generational, economic, etc. - between people. The main goal, however, is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with as many people as possible. Hammers and nails are just ways of accomplishing that mission.

Taking part in Lincoln County River of Life 2007 were representatives from the following churches: Lincolnton UMC; New Work Baptist Church; Pine Grove UMC; First Assembly of God; Aldersgate UMC, Augusta; Lewis Memorial UMC, Evans; Marvin UMC, Martinez; First UMC, Washington; Friendship UMC, Hephzibah; and Wesley UMC, Evans.

Over the course of the four-day session, the teenagers and their adult supervisors made improvements to approximately 30 homes in the county. They re-shingled two roofs, painted the exterior of five houses, re-built nine porches, and did yard work at 15 homes.

Eighty-five youth, grades 7-12; 15 junior counselors, aged 18-21; and approximately 30 adults participated in the local River of Life session. Prior to their arrival, volunteers worked tirelessly to make sure the week ran smoothly - they delivered shingles, lumber, and ladders to the work sites and planned meals for the 130 laborers.

This year, River of Life workers were divided into 16 teams, each consisting of a team leader, an assistant, and from five to nine young people. All of the team leaders and most of the assistants were adult volunteers.

The teams arrived in Lincolnton on Wednesday afternoon. With the ex- ception of the local adult volunteers and the praise band, all River of Life participants were housed at either Cullars Inn or Savannah Lakes.

In addition to sleep, the young people also needed to eat. The American Legion Post 194 Ladies Auxiliary treated the workers to a picnic lunch at the Post Home on Friday, while the Lincolnton UMC Men's Club provided supper for the group on Saturday in the church fellowship hall. All other meals were served in the fellowship hall by volunteers headed up by Claire Watson, Beth Dawkins, and Ann Goldman.

After supper each evening, the teenagers and adults gathered in the church sanctuary for a praise and worship service led by "Traveler Unknown," a praise band from Lewis Memorial UMC, under the direction of Jason Powell, retreat coordinator.

Along with the praise band, the evening worship services featured skits performed by the youth counselors and a short sermon on servanthood given by a different individual each night. The speakers were B.J. Duncan, New Work Baptist Church; Brent Skelley, Lewis Memorial UMC; Dana Brennan, Lincolnton UMC; and Rev. Gary Dean, Augusta UMC District superintendent. There was also time for testimonies.

To conclude the River of Life session, Rev. Dave Hinson, pastor of Lincolnton UMC, delivered a powerful sermon on servanthood during the church's regular Sunday morning service.

Moreover, the names of the "Keepers of the Water" were announced in the service. The Keepers of the Water are those River of Life participants who best exemplified the ideal of servanthood during the week. Felicia Martinez, Marvin UMC; Amanda Broom, Lincolnton UMC; Luke Leitner, Aldersgate UMC; and Janna Wimburm, Lewis Memorial UMC, were selected for the honor this year.

Following the worship service, River of Life volunteers and their families were guests of honor at a luncheon hosted by the members and friends of Lincolnton UMC in the church fellowship hall.

River of Life is financed by the volunteer workers and donations from Lincolnton UMC and the community at large. The youth from the various churches pay $70 each to participate in the program; whereas, adults working with the program on a full-time basis pay $30 each. In addition, churches sending volunteers must pay $25 per worker. These funds help defray the cost of building materials, supplies, meals, and lodging.

Chuck and Leigh Beggs have served as directors of the local River of Life session for the past five years.

On behalf of the River of Life staff, Mrs. Beggs thanked the many individuals and businesses in Lincoln County and the surrounding area for giving of their time, energy, and resources to help make the week a success.

"The project would have never gotten off the ground without them," she noted. "We are grateful for their help and pray that the Lord will bless them for their generosity."

She went on to point out that River of Life is not just a four-day event. Since 1998, River of Life has donated materials and supplies to several churches for the construction of wheelchair ramps for those individuals who cannot wait until the July session. The same service will be offered this year.

The Beggses hope to once again to serve as River of life directors in 2008.