DYNAMIC TEENS DO GOOD WORKS

People adding siding are, from left, Brendan Jones and Chris Robertson.

The mission trip to Oklahoma included from left, Angela Rogers, Todd Cook, Pam Cook, Brendan Jones, Lelsey Proffer, Christ Robertson, Oklahoma farmer James Gaines, Ashlei Kelly, Marci Mann, Alicia Farmer, Matt Proffer, Ashley Farmer and Amber White.

Girls sitting onthe floor painting the wall were from left, Heather Jones and Kelly Rees.

The First General Baptist drama team will perform the Christian drama, "This One's for You."

Today's society places so much emphasis on the negative side of teen-agers, but in Jackson, members of the First General Baptist youth group make a difference in a big way.

One program established by youth director Pam Cook is called SOS (Service Over Self). The program not only benefits the local community but reaches far beyond the Southeast Missouri area.

On a local basis, Cook put the teen-agers into groups with the task: "Go out into the community and see how many random acts of kindness you can do." One group went to a Rhodes station where they washed the windows of cars being fueled. A second group went to Country Mart where they bagged and carried out groceries for customers, while the third group went to baby-sit for a young mother so she could go shopping.

When Oklahoma City was hit by devastating tornadoes, the teen-agers went to offer help with cleaning up. They worked at a relief site and then offered to help a local farmer clear his land of debris left in the wake of the tornadoes.

Chris Robertson was one of the young people. He said, "I felt like I had done something right for once." When they were done and ready to leave, the farmer broke down in tears to think people cared enough to help. His tears touched the teen-agers.

Two years ago at the National Youth Conference in Potosi, Mo., the Baptist young people met a pastor from Wayne City, Ill., who was disabled with cerebral palsy. Last fall they went on an SOS mission to his home where they cleaned, painted, wallpapered and installed new windows and vinyl siding on his home.

In February, the Baptist Youth group again packed the church vans and headed south to Mississippi to lead a citywide youth conference through praise, worship, music and drama. The rally turned countywide as news of its work spread. Accompanying the teen-agers on their trip, not only as chaperones and parents, was the church band, "Ransom," which provided music. The band consists of a very talented group of parents who play instruments and sing.

When asked about the trip, Missy Lane said, "I became stronger in my walk with God. The trip helped me grow stronger and closer with the youth group since the trip helped us view each other in a different locale."

Missy said she was shocked at the amount of emotion in the auditorium where they performed.

"It was awesome," she said. "I felt the spirit of God moving there stronger than ever before in my life."

Brandi Burns added, "The emotional feeling was too indescribable to put into words."

Now she can cope with the moral basic issues of life. "My faith is stronger in my daily walk, decisions are easier to make," she said.

The drama performed in Mississippi was to the song, "This One's For Me." As words flowed, the young people acted out the lyrics. Chris Robertson portrayed Jesus. When asked about the role and his feelings about the trip, he replied, "It was as if someone else had taken over my body and the Holy Spirit was showing itself through me."

On March 4, the congregation of First General Baptist Church was privileged to witness a youth-led worship service; not once, but at both worship services. Praise, worship, music and drama were presented.

The congregation thought the service ended far too soon. Tears flowed like the rain outside as the spirit moved through the church.

No one can say all young people are alike, for this group would prove that assessment wrong as the young people have made a difference and continue to do.

Parents and members of the church family can be proud of the choices the young people have made in their lives as they continue to grow and reach out beyond themselves to others.