Thank you!Thank you to the 50 servants who deep cleaned at Century, Kellogg, and John Adams public schools on December 17, 2011. We'll see you on Saturday, June 16, for CareFest 2012! |
CareFest Report … making Jesus’ mark in 2009!
God told His ancient people who were transplanted to Babylon, Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare (Jeremiah 29:5). The timeless principle remains for us that our heavenly citizenship should make a real difference in Rochester today. Our city should be a better place to live because Christians are here.
On June 20, 2009, nearly 1500 of you made Jesus’ caring presence known throughout Rochester. Through your good works offered in His name, the city of God extraordinarily intersected with the city of Rochester. You served at over 60 sites including 18 schools, 20 parks, and 17 homes associated with the Salvation Army, Bear Creek Services, or other people-helping agencies. Our bright, lime green t-shirts could also be seen at the Boys & Girls Club, Seasons Hospice, Camp Victory, Crossroads College, Friendship Place, New Life Family Services, PossAbilities, Graham Park, and a private residence.
2009 CareFest ProjectsNote: Your project site leader will notify you of the project you have been assigned and the items to bring on June 20. CareFest will not be canceled or postponed due to rain; please bring clothing and rain gear appropriate to your worksite.
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The work done this year focused on much needed cleaning in the schools (lockers and desks) and parks. Our largest project included some 200 workers landscaping and refreshing the county fairgrounds. Other work around the city included such diverse tasks as power-washing, landscaping, painting, building a fence, shelving unit, and storage shed, reroofing a home, concreting a curb and driveway, and refurbishing broken doors and dented walls.
At the residence of an elderly couple, large trees were removed and the septic system repaired on the outside, while inside old carpet was removed and important home repairs made. The owner remarked, "I can’t believe that people would do this for people they don’t know!"
The consistent feedback from this fourth annual CareFest mission to Rochester again highlighted your outstanding quality and great attitudes as together we experienced God’s Spirit orchestrating the event to the glory of His Son. Thanks to our leaders and all who served to make Jesus well-known in our city; He promises to reward you (Revelation 22:12)!
Please keep your eyes open for late-summer and winter projects at the schools! Also, Lord willing, next year’s CareFest is scheduled for June 19, 2010. In the meantime, let’s continue to contribute to the health of our city, making Jesus famous in all we say and do (Colossians 3:17)!
Here is a video capturing the day:
2009 CareFest Photo Album
Select a image below to view complete album
CareFest 2011 Photo Album
CareFest 2011 Recap
2011 CareFest Recap
by Pastor Larry Orth, CareFest Coordinator
CareFest 2011...becoming His masterpiece!
On a brisk February Sunday evening, a group of Zumbro Valley community leaders and residents gathered to brainstorm possible solutions to jumpstart their rebuilding process. Five months earlier, the flood of the century had devastated their community; government resources were scarce and buyouts were uncertain. The sea of volunteers that had come to their immediate aid had all but dried up and hope had faded. Many families had lost everything and dozens remained homeless.
That evening, the Lord began to move among His people. CareFest leaders sensed God’s call to get involved and, within a month, a two-phased event was planned. According to Lutheran Social Services relief coordinator Craig Richardt, new life was injected into the whole relief process. “Before CareFest showed up, volunteer and financial support had really diminished. I could feel the urgency that if something didn’t happen soon, the relief efforts would die and there was a lot left to do [$1.3 million].” He continued, “CareFest was the ‘shot in the arm’ that was needed to bring renewed awareness of the ongoing needs of the flooded region. CareFest brought a new level of credibility and trust to encourage other organizations to rally alongside the relief efforts. For example, United Way, Rochester Builders, and Salvation Army released designated flood recovery funds to us because they knew the money would be leveraged to do the most good for the victims. Immediately we started to build momentum and strength for a long term recovery process.”
Read more...Prayer Requests
- Pray that God will reveal the specific projects He wants us to do in our community for His greatest glory.
- Pray that God will raise up the specific leaders and skills we need to accomplish the projects.
- Pray that God will help leaders define each project’s human, equipment, and supply needs; for good communication and good relationships between project leaders and ministry recipients.
- Pray that God's people will respond to the call to serve in faith and perseverance, that God will guide the process of matching workers with projects, and that God will meet all our needs.
- Pray that God will guide our leaders in their planning, site preparation, resource allocation, and carrying out excellent work at each site.
- Pray that all the final details will culminate in the best possible CareFest. Pray for good weather, safety, and for Holy Spirit superintendence of each project to the glory of Jesus.
- Pray that many will come to know the Lord as Savior through CareFest as they experience His saving and restoring hope.