3MT An act of faith and service

More than 160 youth spread across Mid-Missouri for a week serving homeowners through 3MT, including Brandi Hagan, 15, from Tipton Methodist Church; Samantha Feltrop, 18, from California's Main Street Baptist Church; and Lexie Haller, 16, from Calvary Baptist Church in Jefferson City.
More than 160 youth spread across Mid-Missouri for a week serving homeowners through 3MT, including Brandi Hagan, 15, from Tipton Methodist Church; Samantha Feltrop, 18, from California's Main Street Baptist Church; and Lexie Haller, 16, from Calvary Baptist Church in Jefferson City.

Painting porch railings or taking care of landscaping needs is more than just a service, it's an act of faith for more than 160 Midwest youth.

Across Mid-Missouri, 14 churches hosted these young missionaries who came from as far as Kansas and Poplar Bluff to participate in the 11th year for 3MT (Mid Missouri Mission Team) at locations from Lupus to Versailles and High Point to Jefferson City.

California's Main Street Baptist Church has been involved from the project's beginning, providing meals, coordinating with local home owners for project sites and hosting the teams for lodging and worship services.

"God has his hand in it," said youth pastor Brandon Less. "It's a blessing these kids look forward to every year."

Working and worshipping with crew members not from their respective churches, gives youth a chance to meet new people and grow outside their comfort zone, Less said.

With the theme "United in Christ," 3MT also is ecumenical, drawing believers from Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, United Church of Christ and other denominations.

"That makes it neat; we all come together to serve one, big God," he said. "They experience that they are other believers out there and understand they're not alone."

Each morning of the eight days in June, crews meet for spiritual chats and devotions and then come together in larger groups for nightly worship services.

During the day, they not only work on home projects for elderly, widowed, handicapped and ill people; they share their personal testimonies.

"It's funny, they pay to work," he said. "It amazes me; they love serving and sharing the Gospel."

The ultimate goal is for the youth to take home with them the same enthusiasm they had during the week of serving others and sharing their faith, Less said.

"If they can do it this week, why not the rest of the 51 weeks," he tells them. "The come here and get on fire from God; it's a growing process."

For California high school graduate Samantha Feltrop, 18, 3MT has helped her grow in her beliefs, she said.

"I got closer to God" seven years ago at her first 3MT week.

Then, this past year presented some significant life struggles for her, including losing her best friend. Feltrop said she felt like "God wasn't there" and she thought she wouldn't return this year as a college leader.

"That was me doubting; he's always there," she said.

God was calling her, she said. And upon arriving for the week, the first worship service touched her and she rededicated her life to Christ, Feltrop said.

"I won't leave it here," she said of her new zeal. "It won't be like any of the other years; I want to make (God) known."

On the web: www.3mt.org