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REBUILD THE CITY!
By ADAM M. PEACE Published July 8, 2008 “O storm-battered city, troubled and desolate! I will rebuild you…” -Isaiah 54:11 (NLT) While most Americans barbecued and set off fireworks for the 4th of July weekend, we, the Greater Atlanta Campus Ministry, joined close to 1,500 other young disciples from all over the nation at the 2008 International Campus Ministry Conference! Entitled “Rebuild the City,” the conference was held in Baton Rouge, LA. It was so inspiring to hear powerful speakers preach the Word in a variety of classes that fed our spirits as well as equipped us with tools to help us further grow in our convictions. It was also encouraging hearing the good news from our brothers and sisters from all over the United States! But even more encouraging was seeing the baptism of our new brother in Christ, Mike Lee! Originally from Tampa, FL., this brother did not hesitate to radically change his life in order to pursue God! Now we already had great classes to help us build our faith, we got to see a young man get his sins washed away and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit...what else could there be to make the conference any better? Perhaps the fact that we got the chance to serve in New Orleans! It was so humbling to spend our 4th of July clearing and preparing lots for future homes in the Lower Ninth Ward, an area still in need of much work from the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. Our goal was to restore 54 unkempt and overgrown lots that had not been used since August, 2005 when the hurricane struck. As we got our hands dirty, sang songs, bonded with new friends, and listened to the melodies of live jazz bands playing near by, we were so grateful to God for bringing us all together for this awesome day of service. Many of us were even able to interact with some of the owners of the lots that came out to see our efforts. Afterwards, we all gathered together in a shaded pavilion area to hear speakers that ranged from local residents, HOPE Worldwide representatives, church leaders and even political activists. Congresswoman Maxine Waters, a U.S. Representative of the 35th District of California, said, "You represent what America must be and should be all about." Not only did we serve in a huge way but we also set a record for the most campus students to volunteer in New Orleans in one day! Now that we are home in Atlanta after a long 8-hour-drive, we are ready to spiritually rebuild OUR city, seeking and saving as many of the lost as possible! CLICK HERE TO SEE THE NEWS COVERAGE OF US IN NEW ORLEANS! |
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