River of Life mission experience is a catalyst for Christ

By Rev. Stephanie Smith

Can youth inspire change in their community? Can they be a catalyst that motivates others to come together in worship and service for the Kingdom of God? That is precisely what happened this summer in Tifton, Georgia. 

From July 12-16, 2023, over 120 middle and high school students gathered at Tifton First United Methodist Church for River of Life. In addition, these students were supported by more than 60 volunteer lay persons throughout the week.  

River of Life is a five-day event where youth and adults serve as the hands and feet of Christ in the local community. Participants not only assist local homeowners with small construction, painting, and landscape projects, but they also form deep connections with the homeowners they serve. 

Derek Harrison, Director of Youth Ministries at Tifton First UMC, began dreaming of bringing River of Live to Tifton over two years ago.

“Within five miles of the church, you can see a real need in our community,” said Harrison, who wanted a tangible way for his youth group to serve right in their own backyard. 

With this dream in mind and hearts focused on serving the community, the prep work began. A River of Life committee began planning, selecting work sites, working on hospitality, worship planning, and raising funds for the event.

As with any event of this magnitude, there were ups and downs. Yet, the countless hours of planning and working with the various teams ensured that no detail was overlooked in making this year’s event impactful.

River of Life brought together youth groups from eight churches across South Georgia: Cordele First, Jesup First, Moultrie First, Perry, Pittman Park, and Tifton First United Methodist Churches along with Nashville and Wynnton Methodist Churches. The youth were divided into nine different teams, each focusing on one home for the week, where connections and friendships quickly formed with the groups.

Throughout the week, God moved in the lives of the homeowners as well as the students. 

“One thing that others should know about the week is that special, life-changing things can happen anywhere,” said Elli Warren, a senior from Tifton First UMC. “I’ve lived in little Tifton my whole life and always believed that nothing special could happen here. But seeing how the church's love for God changed some of those homeowners' lives showed me that God’s grace is everywhere.”

The youth worked long, hard days in the middle of the July heat and then gathered together each night for meals, worship, and small group Bible study.

The week's theme was “Catalyst,” taking inspiration from Isaiah 43:19: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

All those who participated experienced a new thing and were able to see how they could be a catalyst that motivates and encourages others. 

“River of Life has encouraged and reminded me that ministry and mission work can be done wherever we are because we are always surrounded by people who are dying to know about the hope we have in Jesus,” said Emily Golden, a senior at Anderson University and summer intern at Tifton First UMC. “This week was saturated with forming new relationships that go beyond just one week. My group has been able to stay in contact with our homeowner through some highs and lows of her life. She was in the hospital for a few days but is now home, and we get to celebrate her 94th birthday with her! I pray that through the relationships formed, God would be glorified!”

The prayer of the River of Life leadership is that everyone leaving this week-long mission experience would be inspired to explore how God can use them right where they are.

“The church is alive and well, and there’s no better evidence of it than this week,” said Nicole Lawson, youth director at Perry UMC. “If you want to see Jesus move, spend some time serving with these youth. Jesus is using them to be the catalyst for revival and change in this world.”

Rev. Stephanie Smith is the associate pastor at Pittman Park UMC in Statesboro and is working with district and conference communications.