Put the Page Title Here

MISSION STATION:

First Christian Church serves as a mission station, housing volunteers who come to help to rebuild our city and the surrounding areas. The volunteers come from two organizations, the Office of Disciple Volunteering and the Northshore Disaster Recovery. The groups usually arrive on a Sunday evening and stay in our Fellowship Hall until Saturday morning. On Tuesday the members of First Christian Church prepare a "southern style" meal for the volunteers. Then, the volunteers and the members share the meal together. It is a very special time for all involved.

We are so deeply grateful for all of the churches who have sent volunteers and all of those who continue to come. Without the work of faith based groups, we would not be far as we are in the rebuilding efforts. *see the calendar for mission dates.

From October 2006 to the present, we have housed:

As of April. 1, 2008, 505 people from 21 states (Kentucky, North Carolina, Missouri, Washington, Indiana, Connecticut, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Iowa, New York, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, Colorado, California, Nebraska, Arizona, Nevada) and 45 churches, and five denominations have stayed in our mission station.

We have fed a total of about 1,225 people over the course of our Tuesday night meals, including our own members who bring food, eat, and visit with the volunteers.

Mission Station Stats
As of August 1, 2008, 571 people from 21 states (KY, NC, MO, WA, IN, CT, VA, PA,
IA, NY, IL, MI, OH, GA, TX, AL,CO, CA, NE, AZ, NV)and 50 churches, and 6 denominations have stayed in our mission station. We have fed a total of about 1,375 people
over the course of our Tuesday night meals, including our own members who bring food and
stay to share the meal and visit with the volunteers. It is estimated that the 571 volunteers have put in about 18,272 hours of labor at a cost savings of $356,486 for the people who have been helped

Mission Trip News
             The mission trip to Texas, from July 13 - 19, was physically taxing, but spiritually fulfilling. Nothing compares to spending a week working for the Lord with a group of like-minded people. We were hot; we were sweaty; we were dirty, and all by 9:00 in the morning!
However, we had a great time working together as a team for Him on three houses being built by Habitat for Humanity.
            Many memories stand out about our time in Texas. Caulking and painting houses, watching Kevin and Floyd work together, being grateful Nicole was there to run with her young legs, cooking meals, and playing dodge ball are just a few. Closing each day with Bible Study capped off a full day's work. To begin each morning, I spent quiet time with the Lord in the host church sanctuary… an awesome way to start the day.
            The week flew by, and we all wished that we could have finished the houses. All-in-all, we departed knowing that we worked hard, worked from our hearts, and spread Christ's love.
         Tammy Curry
              Mission Trip Participant
Reflections from Mission Station Volunteers …..
§         "We came from Iowa expecting to rough it; your accommodations were a wonderful surprise. Thank you for allowing us to present the Maundy Thursday dramatization. Sharing in your service, as one body of Christ's people was very meaningful to us." Randy & Lisa Bates - Des Moines, Iowa
§         "You have truly been Christ to us this week. Your passion to serve is amazing. We will return to Ohio changed forever - to change others forever through Christ! Coleen Beasecker, United Church of Christ, Clayton, Ohio
§         "Memories of the beautiful bayou are now water-stained… warped wood and changed lives, but the foundation is stronger this time around because compassion of many, through God's grace will always overcome destruction of one." Stephanie Mills, Troy, Michigan
"Before I came here, I thought I knew what had happened. Truth was there was no way to prepare for the realization that a singular "event", a hurricane, could become the center of so many lives for so long. And from those ashes..personal despair..physical destruction.. rises the spirit of hope, love, and fellowship." Andy McCabe, Storrs Congregational Church, Storrs, Connecticut