Big House Texas

BIGHOUSE TEXAS, INC.("BIG HOUSE") IS A RELIGIOUS WORK CAMP FOR JR. HIGH YOUTH (6-8TH GRADES)WHO WORK TO REPAIR AND REPAINT NEEDFUL CHURCHES AND SOCIAL AGENCIES. BIG HOUSE IS AN ACRONYM, WHICH STANDS FOR BELIEVING IN GOD AND HELPING OTHERS UNDERSTAND THROUGH SERVICE EVERYWHERE. CHURCHES THAT BENEFIT FROM THE WORK CAMPS ARE HOUSED IN OLDER, HISTORIC BUILDINGS WITH AGING CONGREGATIONS WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY SOMEONE TO MAINTAIN THE BUILDINGS OR DO THE NECESSARY REPAIRS THEMSELVES.IN 1996, A COUPLE OF YOUTH DIRECTORS GOT TOGETHER AND BROUGHT THEIR JR. HIGH YOUTH TO DO A MISSION WORK CAMP IN ATHENS, TEXAS. THERE WERE ONLY 25 PEOPLE IN THIS CAMP, BUT TOGETHER THEY WORKED ON MT. SELMAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. THE WORK CAMP BECAME A SPECIAL PROJECT OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, AND IT HAS CONTINUED TO GROW, AS VOLUNTEERS HAVE COME TOGETHER EVERY YEAR TO REPAIR AND RESTORATION SERVICES. THE WORK CAMPS INVOLVE RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL, AND CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. CHARITABLE PROJECTS DONE BY BIG HOUSE WORK CAMPS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING; PAINTING CHURCHES, BUILDING WHEELCHAIR RAMPS, LANDSCAPING, REPAIRING HANDRAILS, PREPARING MEALS, STOCKING FOOD AT A FOOD PANTRY, AND OTHERWISE ASSISTING CHURCH MEMBERS.THE WORK CAMPS ALSO EMPHASIZE SPIRITUAL GROWTH, AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. THE YOUTH PARTICIPATE IN DAILY DEVOTIONALS AND WORSHIP SERVICES. EACH MORNING, THE YOUTH AND ADULTS MEET FOR A MORNING DEVOTION TO GET THE DAY STARTED. THEY HAVE A LUNCH DEVOTIONAL AT THE WORK SITE, SOMETIMES SHARED WITH THE CLIENT. THERE IS AN EVENING WORSHIP SERVICE FOR ALL INVOLVED. EDUCATING THE YOUTH ON THE PRINCIPLE OF RESPONSIBILITY IS ANOTHER COMPONENT OF THE WORK CAMPS. RESPONSIBILITY IS NOT JUST TO THEIR HOME CHURCH, BUT TO THE CHURCH AS A WHOLE, AND TO THEIR COMMUNITY NOT JUST AT HOME, BUT TO THE WORLD. THE LESSONS LEARNED AT THESE CAMPS IS HELPING TO DEVELOP SERVANT LEADERS, AND GROW THEM IN A WAY THAT THEY WILL BETTER THEIR WORLD. CAMP MATERIALS ARE THE LARGEST EXPENSES INCURRED AT CAMP, THIS INCLUDES ALL MATERIALS USED TO BUILD, PAINT, AND REPAIR THE HOMES THAT ARE WORKED ON.