Lake Charles youth, along with youth from Texas and Oklahoma, were in Lake Charles earlier this month, helping complete construction projects, and paying for the opportunity to do so, to learn what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ.

Some students spend their summer break soaking up rays or lounging around the house. Not the 140 middle and high school World Changers in Lake Charles earlier this month. Students traveling with churches and youth groups from Oklahoma and Texas, along with Lake Charles youth, were here painting houses, putting on siding, helping schools with remodeling projects, constructing wheelchair ramps and doing other projects – and they paid for the opportunity to serve in this summer heat.

World Changers – back for the second year and planning a third visit – is a hands-on mission experience, engaging students in meeting the needs of people in communities across North America. Students are able to put their faith into action by serving others and sharing the gospel.

“Almost three years after Hurricane Laura, people are still pouring into Southwest Louisiana to show love and help those dealing with the lingering aftermath of the storm,” said Hannah Pettefer. She said students are staying at Sale Street Baptist Church, a World Changers supporter, along with SWLA Responds.

World Changers do more than fix a yard or house, according to Pettefer. “They care for the homeowner and pray for the community. World Changers participants learn what serving others really means throughout the week.”

The experience was eye opening for Addy Mills, Lake Charles. “It makes me happy to make those we’ve helped happy,” she said. Nave Williams, Lake Charles, said, “World Changers has helped me learn what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and get out of my comfort zone to share the gospel.”

Clarence Harmonson, Canaan Baptist Church, Leesville, is a single father who worked alongside his daughter. He values the experience because of the focus on Jesus Christ and the opportunity for youth to see and experience that “God is number one.”