WAFB Channel 9, Baton Rouge, LA |Churches come together to clean-up in Eastover Estates

Churches come together to clean-up in Eastover Estates

By Tyana Williams - bio | email

DENHAM SPRINGS, LA (WAFB) - In a lesson in giving back that is meant to teach the "me" generation to think about the community, several youth groups from Baton Rouge and Livingston Parish churches came together to clean up a Denham Springs neighborhood Saturday.

"Move some of these limbs to the road, so we can clean it and they can start cutting it," Ryan Wells, the Youth Pastor of Journey Church in Central, called out. On all ten streets in Eastover Estates, similar directions were given. The sound of weed eaters and lawn mowers buzzing filled the air. In what was called the Eastover Makeover, several church youth groups gave the neighborhood a free cleansing.

"Just to serve," said Pastor Valerie Hodges of Destiny International. "Jesus said it's better to give than receive." The clean up was part of "Rock the River," a worship experience for teenagers and parents. A community clean-up was their way to give back to the community. They went door-to-door looking for someone who may need help, picking up anything and everything. "There's mattresses, washing machines, and refrigerators," said Pastor Hodges.

Pastor Hodges says this younger generation is "all about me," so the lesson was two-fold: to show the community people care and to teach the teens about service. "It's a blessing to be a blessing to other people. When you see people that are at first reluctant and then you tell them, ‘We just want to do it. We love you.' We want to share that love and see their face light up. It's nothing better than that," Wells said.

Wells has walked one street offering help, but it is sometimes turned down. His knocks sometimes go unanswered. "I try and make it clear. Let them know we're just out here spreading love." He says showing the kids not to give up is what keeps him going. "Wondering if we can haul some stuff for you guys or weed eat your area?" he asks a family, who just happens to be sitting on their front porch. Eventually, he says, you make a connection. "How ‘bout some weed eating, maybe around the fence? Can we do that?" he asks, as the owner shows him the backyard.

"Rock the River" comes to Baton Rouge on Saturday, July 18th.

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