For more than two decades, World Servants teams have been serving in several partner communities in West Virginia, located in the Appalachian mountains. Deep and abiding relationships have been established between the locals and our mission teams. Appalachia is a 200,000 square mile region including all of West Virginia and parts of 12 other states from Ohio to Alabama.
Thirty-two percent of the population resides in rural counties. Industries that once produced good jobs are gone. The focus of World Servants is to bring a “hand up” and a message of hope. The needs can range from leaking roofs, homes needing insulation, and families struggling to provide the basic necessities, as the majority of the population lives below the poverty line.
WHAT WE'RE DOING
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
Teams will come alongside the community members and improve living conditions, opening doors to share Jesus. You will learn about the Appalachian culture, which places a strong emphasis on family values, and work with them to help improve the community.
The majority of the mission week will be spent on home renovation projects. Most of the homes we encounter are in disrepair and will benefit from the work of loving hearts and hands. Projects can include installation of vinyl siding, windows and doors, roofing, constructing a wheel chair ramp, giving an elderly person easy access to their home, building a deck, painting, and general clean up around the property.
Team members will participate in several outreach events, which offer the opportunity to interact with the community and build relationships. Groups will spend time doing Kids’ Club (VBS), sports camp, visiting the elderly in the nursing home, or whatever the community leadership team decides.
TRIPS TO THIS COMMUNITY
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Contact us to discuss organizing a custom trip.
LOGISTICS
FOOD, LODGING, & TRAVEL
Participants are expected to provide transportation to and from the mission site, as well as travel between the housing site, work projects, outreach activities, and the day-off event.
Teams will be staying at local high schools or community centers, sleeping on floors, so twin size air mattresses or cots are needed. Locker Room showers and restroom facilities are available. Electricity and hot water are available. Meals are prepared by local cooks.
Your trip includes a day-off with several options available. There are both free and fee-based local activities, such as whitewater rafting, canoeing or time spent at a state park.
IS IT SAFE?
TRIP SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Trip safety is extremely important to World Servants and our host community. The community we are working and staying in is considered very safe and we do not anticipate any safety issues.
COVID-19 Safety Response
We are working diligently to address the directives of the communities we serve in regard to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Be assured, World Servants will not hesitate to cancel or suspend a trip if appropriate.
While World Servants does not require participants to be vaccinated, some countries in which we serve may require proof of vaccination and/or a negative COVID test in order to gain entry into the country. World Servants will work with you and your team to make sure you are aware of any travel requirements prior to trip onset.