Volunteers made improvements to 32 local residences during Lincoln County River of Life 2008 held June 25 through June 29. In spite of the heat and humidity, the workers re-shingled three roofs, painted the exterior of six homes, constructed four wheelchair ramps, built seven porches, and did yard work at 12 homes. For the past 18 years, 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 16 different communities are presently offering River of Life programs to their young people.

Hosted locally each year by Lincolnton UMC, River of Life 2008 ran from June 25 through June 29. Although the heat and humidity were daunting, the young volunteers had the time of their lives, using elbow grease, paint, nails, lumber, and smiles to minister to those in need.

River of Life provides young people with a model for Christian ministry, offering them the opportunity to jump in and serve the residents of Lincolnton. The ministry is dedicated to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ through word and deed. The main goal of River of Life is to provide participants with a model for ministry. Following the example of Christ, Christians are called to a "life" of service.

The program provides a springboard for young Christians, offering them the opportunity to jump in and serve the residents of Lincolnton and then carry that model of ministry home with them.

In these acts of service and love, the gospel of Jesus Christ is shared through word and deed. According to God's Word, "The only thing that matters is faith expressing itself through love." Hammers, nails, and paintbrushes are just a few of the avenues by which faith can be expressed through love.

Taking part in Lincoln County River of Life 2008 were representatives from the following churches: Lincolnton UMC; First Assembly of God; Bethany UMC; New Work Baptist Church; Aldersgate UMC, Augusta; Lewis Memorial UMC, Evans; Marvin UMC, Martinez; First UMC, Washington; Blair Road UMC, Mint Hill, North Carolina; Wesley UMC, Evans; and Martinez UMC.

Over the course of the four-day session, the teenagers and their adult supervisors made improvements to 32 homes in the county. They reshingled three roofs, painted the exterior of six homes, constructed four wheelchair ramps, built seven porches, and did yard work at 12 homes.

Eighty-five youth, grades 7-12; 15 junior counselors, ages 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 19 teams, each consisting of a team leader, an assistant, and from five to seven young people. All of the team leaders and assistants were adult volunteers.

The teams arrived in Lincolnton on Wednesday afternoon. With the exception of the adult volunteers from the area, all River of Life participants were housed at either Cullars Inn or Faith Temple.

In addition to sleep, the young people also needed to eat. The congregation at First Assembly of God provided lunch for the workers in the church's family life center on Thursday, and the American Legion Post 194 Ladies Auxiliary treated them to a picnic lunch at the Post Home on Friday. Then, on Saturday, the Lincolnton UMC Men's Club prepared supper for the group 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 the Blair Road UMC Praise Band, under the direction of Eric Hendrickson, 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, Jason Storm, youth pastor at Young Harris UMC; David Averell, Marvin UMC; Chip Herring, The Edge Ministry; and Eric Hendrickson. There was also time for testimonies.

To conclude the River of Life session, Rev. Dave Hinson, pastor of Lincolnton UMC, delivered a powerful sermon during the church's regular Sunday morning service, charging the members of the congregation to give the Lord everything and to live lives of service each day.

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.

Kaitlyn Lliso, Blair Road UMC; Zach Shaw and Michael Jenks, Marvin UMC; and Vance Tarver, Lincolnton UMC, were selected for the honor this year.

Another highlight of the service was the recognition of the rising college freshmen in the group.

Through contributions made in memory of Michael Hendrickson, a beloved member of the River of Life Family, who passed away in December of last year, each college freshman received a $200 scholarship for the purchase of books. Those honored in this manner were Ethan Redlund, Sarah Herring, Sara Anne Remsen, Brooke Skelley, Emily Roberts, Ryan Reuter, and Alex Bragg.

The Keepers of the Water were likewise given scholarships in memory of Mr. Hendrickson to help with their return to River of Life in 2009.

In addition, Lincoln County River of Life 2008 donated $1,500 to the Michael Hendrickson Scholarship Fund at the University of Georgia, thereby making it a perpetual scholarship.

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 $95 each to participate in the program; adults working with the program on a fulltime basis pay $55 each; and churches sending volunteers 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, the Beggses thanked the many individuals in Lincoln County and the surrounding area for giving of their time, energy, and resources to help make the week a success.

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

"Most of all, we just want to give God the glory for continuing to bless this ministry. He takes our feeble attempts to serve Him and makes miracles happen."

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 June session. The same service will be offered this year.

The couple also wanted to remind all Christians of Galations 6:9 - "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

The Beggses hope to serve as River of Life directors again in 2009.