HANDYMAN HELPERS WITH a heart for missions played a significant, background role in spreading the gospel last year - to the tune of around $4.5 million.
That is the price tag put on the free labor donated by a small army of "mission builders" to Youth With A Mission projects around the world, from Hawaii to China.
Hundreds of short-term volunteers - many of them retired - wielded spades, saws, spanners and paintbrushes to help prepare or upgrade YWAM facilities, including training centers, administrative headquarters, and ministry locations.
The furthest-flung group went to Harbin, in north-east China, where Youth With A Mission's Mission Builders International are constructing schools in several villages which, in an agreement with the government, will be available for church use in the evenings and at weekends.
The estimated savings represent around 250,000 hours' labor, plus professional fees for donated services such planning and consultancy, said MBI director Troy Stremler, who oversees the worldwide volunteer program from Gig Harbor, Washington.
"That's a significant saving, which means that projects which might not otherwise be completed because of a lack of money can be undertaken, or that money that is available can be used elsewhere and put directly into some form of ministry," he said.
"The Bible tells us to be good stewards of all our resources - time and money. Having people come in and pick up on some of the practical work can free up full-time missionaries to devote themselves to what they are there to do, sharing the gospel."
Currently around 2,800 people - from a dozen countries, including the US, England and Australia - are on the MBI books, volunteering their time at least once a year. Each month, 40 new mission builders sign up. They receive a quarterly MBI newsletter detailing current projects, such as renovating a former children's home now being turned into a YWAM training center in Harpenden, England.
Volunteers pay their own way to the project site, as well as for room and board. They can work for anywhere between two weeks to three months, and for all but a few projects don't need specialized skills. "If they are fit and have a heart to serve, we can use them," said Stremler.
Many volunteers are retired couples, with wives able to lend a hand with office and kitchen work, as well as some of the construction and renovation. "Often they say that this is a great way to see the world, as well as do something positive with their time," said Stremler. "They have retired to the sun somewhere and found that after a while it just isn't fulfilling, but being involved in missions this way is.
"They may not feel like they would want to be involved directly in evangelism or something like that, but they can contribute to missions in a behind-the-scenes way. It takes the whole Church to reach the whole world."
As well as providing much-needed volunteer manpower, MBI also advises YWAM ministries on their property and building needs.
"Sometimes ministries come to a halt or are slowed down because the leaders who have a real vision for what they want to achieve don't know enough about planning and building, and suddenly find they are caught up in managing a facility or a development, not devoting themselves to ministry."
Mission Builders International: PO Box 2496, Gig Harbor, WA 98355.
Last updated: 1996, July 21 /pf