Published: July 04, 2008 11:45 am      

An Army comes to town

Church groups headed to Athens for service projects

The United Methodist Army will be marching back to where it all began this month.

Nine Methodist churches will send 90 people to Athens July 13-19 for a work camp.

“It is a mission program that began in Athens 30 years ago,” camp director John Beasley said. “We are coming back to Athens because 30 years ago that’s where it all started.”

In 1979, three churches from Houston sent 36 students and adults to Athens.

The U.M. Army has 1,500 worksites in 48 states, with about 4,000 participants every summer, according to a U.M. Army information sheet.

Beasley said 50 high school students and 40 adults have signed up to participate. The group will stay at the First United Methodist Church in Athens and shower at the high school.

The volunteers have each paid $175 dollars to cover meals, T-shirts, program activities and the cost of building materials.

“We will work hard during the day and play hard at night,” Beasley said.

He said the group already has 30 projects planned and hopes to have at least 15 more before they arrive.

Beasley said the group will be completing projects throughout Henderson County.

“We try to keep our projects to two-day projects,” Beasley said. “Most of our projects are through referrals from home health services or people in church.”

Beasley said the group will do projects such as building wheelchair ramps, cleaning and hauling off junk from yards, painting houses, replacing doors and patching roofs.

“It is hard work. By the end of it you are worn out,” Beasley said. “But you are ready to go back the next year. It’s kinda one of those deals that once you go, you want to go back.”

Churches sending workers are Asbury United Methodist Church, Pasadena; Genoa United Methodist Church, Houston; First United Methodist Church, Humble; First Methodist Church, Lyndale; Wesley United Methodist Church, Nederland; Rose Hill United Methodist Church, Tomball; St. Marks United Methodist Church, Houston; St. Paul United Methodist Church, Tyler; and First United Methodist Church, Crockett.

Beasley said each individual church is responsible for getting to Athens. They will split up in 13 work teams when they arrive.

According to an information sheet, the U.M. Army is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation organized and operated for charitable purposes.

To request assistance or more information, call First United Methodist Church in Athens at 903-675-5161.