Local, local, local

Why is it easier to spend loads of money for summer “mission” projects for kids, but get lots of excitement, but much harder to do “mission” in your local community, and maybe struggle getting young adults to participate?

Here’s a church that is doing it right, I think:

SAN JOSE, Ill. — While many teens lazily revel in the warmth of a new summer, students from around the Midwest have been working long days repairing houses for needy families in San Jose as part of a local church’s Community Builders Servant event.

St. Luke Lutheran Church of San Jose, led by the Rev. Derek Riddle, organized the effort — made up of about 35 students from around Illinois, Missouri and Iowa as well as a handful of adult volunteers — to complete work projects around town during the course of several days.

Riddle said his congregation typically sends youth members to other areas for similar projects, but decided the church could host its own event this year. He utilized the help of church members to find San Jose residents in need of assistance.

“We take our youth to events every year, but it’s a big undertaking for a small congregation,” Riddle said. “The youth are learning the importance of serving as Christians and a lot of them are doing stuff they’ve probably never done before. This is a great way for our congregation to have a presence in the community and to serve our community.”

The “servants” had three major projects to work on at three homes — while also taking on smaller tasks like power washing and painting a woman’s garage, as well as re-mulching the park playground and painting the picnic tables.