During my week as a project leader in Johnstown, PA recently, I ended up having a unique role.
My full-time job at Adventures is video production within the marketing department. Even before the trip started, my role was to include capturing some video footage in addition to being a Project Leader. Me, and another videographer, were also planning on interviewing a few of the ministry contacts. The service group there that week ended up being quite self sufficient though and it freed me up to be able to capture much more footage than I otherwise would've been able to get.
Because of that I was able to float around to almost all of the eight different worksites. I was able to see all those different crews in action and was able to spend that much more time with the ministry contacts.
From Ben, Rachel & Dorothy at the farm… to Josh, Terry & Connie at Crucified and the skatepark; and Jeremy up at the Colver Youth Center… this Western Pennsylvania ministry location has some legit partners on the ground!
Johnstown is not a glamorous place by any means. I don't think anyone will argue that. It's a blue-collar town that has been hit hard by the floundering steel industry over the last half century or so. The ancient steel mills that are almost completely abandoned, stand as massively undeniable reminders of the thriving times of the early 1900s… but also the not-so-thriving times of the last 50 years or so.
Even with all that in mind, these contacts that we partner with are incredibly devoted to the people of Johnstown, the city itself… and to God and what He has told them to do. They aren't just involved in these ministries on the side… these ministries are literally their life! Everything they do revolves around them and what God is doing through them. It makes for something really beautiful and inspiring.
I was particularly impressed with the way that they boldly and freely told their stories and how God has moved in their lives and done miraculous things. It doesn't even matter to them if the people they're telling it to are Christians or not. God has changed them and provided for them more than they ever could have imagined… and they want to tell whoever they can about it!
Josh sharing part of his story to whole team at the skatepark
We should all be so inspired, bold and unaffected by what people may think and not be worried about how they might respond.
Jesus was never ashamed to speak about His Father in heaven. He was never worried IN THE LEAST about how people would respond. He simply loved every single person and proclaimed the truth according to His Father in heaven.
He changed the world as a result.
We too can change the world.
These folks in Johnstown are doing just that.
"…go and do likewise."
