By Shara Lee

TO INSPIRE the community and foster camaraderie in anticipation of August’s Rock the River spectacular (see opposite), the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) rounded up hundreds of youth to participate in the Community Action Project (CAP).

Young people from all over the Lower Mainland congregated at the Peoples Church in Surrey June 5, and formed teams to clean up the city.

“It was a blast, the youth loved it,” said John Fortune, youth director at The Peoples Church.

“It was really good for the older people too, to see all this life. It was pretty awesome because we haven’t had an event with a lot of youth in a while.”

The CAP began at noon that day, with everyone meeting up to receive tasks. The participants were split into 22 groups – usually sticking with the friends or youth groups they arrived with.

The BGEA partnered with Surrey’s Parks Department and Engineer Department, as well as the Surrey Urban Mission Centre, to develop projects for the youth to work on.

These included picking up trash from streets and parks, cleaning brick, making flower gardens, painting and cleaning the inside of buildings.

“I enjoyed everything. It was great fellowshipping time, and we got to reach out to the community,” said Jonathan Saldana, a 17 year old who participated in the CAP.

“We didn’t really get to share the gospel; but people saw us, and I think they were inspired.” Saldana said he got involved with CAP by helping out his youth leaders.

At around 5 pm that day, everyone met back at the Peoples Church for a big barbecue. Then they gathered for games and a hip hop dance class. The night concluded with a concert from Vancouver pop rock band Bondless.

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Although the youth were entertained by food, dance and music, the most important part of the day was undoubtedly participating in the community work.

“Even though it was just cleaning up garbage, it was meaningful,” said Fortune.

Those who participated in the CAP each received Rock the River invitations to pass out where they were working, and gospel tracts they could hand out if they felt compelled to share the Word.

Other CAP events were conducted June 26 and July 1, with youth volunteering to help out with other meaningful projects around the city.

Although BGEA’s Christian Life & Witness courses are over, for those who missed a day there will be make-up classes    July 17, 10 am to noon at Sonrise Church in Surrey. This course is necessary for anyone who wants to work or volunteer at the big August 7 Rock the River concert.

A prayer rally will be held July 25 at the Millennium Park fairgrounds in Cloverdale. ‘Reach,’ scheduled 3 – 5 pm, will be the last big event leading up to the concert, and everyone is invited.

There will be a time of worship, as well as prayer for the entire Rock the River tour – which will also include concerts in Calgary (August 21) and Edmonton (August 28).

Info: billygraham.ca/ministries/rocktheriver.

July 2010