New Hope Church had the privilege of sending sixteen high school students and six adults to participate in this week-long program from June 14-21, 2008. Many weeks of preparation were required to successfully prepare the hearts and minds of all the team members.

Each of our youth participated in the HELP Tutoring Program, which was designed to help children from broken families, poor neighborhoods, and difficult home situations, emphasizing hands-on learning and modeling biblical interaction with children. This one-on-one tutoring/mentoring program is designed to provide a secure environment for the children, show them God’s love, and give the youth the opportunity to build a Christlike relationship with the children.

The daily work projects gave the youth outreach opportunities to help low income families. These projects would vary widely from mowing a widow’s lawn, to painting a classroom at the church, to doing demolition at a rehab construction project. This gave our youth the chance to come alongside of and encourage single parents, widows, and the elderly.

Each evening a Kids’ Bible Club was held for the neighborhood children in a nearby park. Our youth concentrated on building relationships with the children by playing games, making crafts, singing songs, sharing a message about God’s love and praying with the children. Also, one of our youth would share what it means to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. During that week in St. Louis , several children accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Restore St. Louis was an eye-opening experience for every member of the team…an opportunity that allowed them to share, whether physically, mentally or spiritually…the love of God. It was a realization of how God is working in them and through them to impact the kingdom. It was an experience that will shape and mold the lives of many…to the glory of God!