For the past five years, Parkside Church, has partnered with World Changers, an organization that “serves churches in their mission of making disciples by providing missions experiences that develop the heart of students for serving others and sharing the gospel so they can change the city...change the world.” This July 18-23, members of our youth ministry will join hundreds of other kids from around the country to work on construction projects around the Greater Cleveland area. This missions trip, which happens in our own backyard, provides Parkside’s youth the opportunity to serve our Lord by serving those in need in our own community.

For student Josh Whitelaw, a five-time World Changers volunteer, the opportunity to serve locally was a perfect fit. “What drew my interest was the missionary-like work that we would be doing right here in America. I always had an interest in missions,” notes Josh, “and when this opportunity presented itself, I jumped on it.”

Volunteers for the Cleveland World Changers projects make Bedford High School home base. After a long day of physical labor, the local high school provides showers, a place for fellowship and worship, and a place to sleep. “My favorite experience in this ministry is something called ‘Prayer Night’ that we do usually in the middle of the week at World Changers,” explains Josh. “This is where for the whole night service, we, as a group, pray for the city we are working in, the people we are working for, and the people who live in the city. I love the thought of all of us together calling to God, knowing that He has the ability to change whatever He desires and He uses us as His instruments to do it.”

Indeed, God gives each of us gifts to steward and for Parkside’s Mark Owen, a retired carpenter with more than 35 years in construction, volunteering as an adult supervisor for World Changers for the past four years has been a blessing. He currently assists World Changers as a project supervisor by identfying viable projects throughout the city and advising the organization on what materials are needed. Mark first joined World Changers after attending a meeting at Parkside about a possible handyman ministry. “I’m an old carpenter. What do you do when you’re an old carpenter?” Mark jokes. “You don’t teach Sunday school! This ministry has been a real blessing to me. I enjoy watching the kids getting involved and ministering to people in our community who are really hurting.”

Josh agrees. “I love serving Jesus in the way we do on this trip. Young kids nowadays doing any manual labor is a very unusual sight to see, so automatically it opens up the question of, 'Why are you doing this?’ I love being asked that question because then we are able to share the gospel to the people we are helping or curious bystanders. We are able to help people physically as well as spiritually.”

We Need Your Help!

Parksiders can help support this missions effort by volunteering to provide lunches for the World Changers work crews. We need people who can provide lunches and beverages for 15 people and bring them to the work sites. If you are able to help, please sign up here. 

Additionally, if you’re an adult who is interested in volunteering with World Changers on future construction projects, please contact Mark at (440) 834.0445 for more information.

How You Can Pray

For Mark, please pray that “people’s needs are met, that the kids will grow, and that we will all serve the Lord.”

For Josh, “We thank you all for your prayers as we make this trip again and we ask you to pray that we only honor God in our activities, not ourselves.”