Mission to the Ozark Mountains

The small town of Booneville, Arkansas is nestled between the Ozark Mountains to the north and the Ouachita Mountains to the south. Through home improvement, children’s activities and ministry to the elderly groups will serve this financially struggling community. Your youth will have the opportunity to be changed and challenged by a week of ministry in the rural South.

Demographics

The Ozark Mountains stretch across three states, including Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas, and comprise of more than a 60,000 square mile area. At their highest point in Arkansas’ Boston Mountains, they rise to 2,560 feet in height and are the largest area of highlands between the Appalachian Mountain range in the east, and the Rockies to the west. Visitors come during the summer months to fish for trout, as well as to ride the scenic railroad train that runs along the banks of White River. The YouthWorks mission site is found in the town of Booneville, AR – a small town of around 4,100 people that is believed to be named after Daniel Boone. Despite the beauty of the area, the town of Booneville faces struggles of their own, including unemployment – reported at 5.5%, a low average per capita income at $13,076 and lack of recreational opportunities for children. Your group will fall in love with the town of Booneville as you serve the people.

About the Ministry

We focus on three primary areas of ministry: children, home improvement and partnering with ministries. Our work with children consists of a hands-on afternoon program led by your youth, known as Kids Club. Kids Club offers high-energy games, crafts, skits, songs and interactive lessons all designed to help kids learn about Jesus. Also during the week, your group will have the opportunity to do home improvement. Oftentimes families struggle to provide the bare necessities of life – maintaining a home takes a backseat when it is difficult to put food on the table. Your group’s willingness to refresh a worn out exterior of a house with a new coat of paint brings real hope and an opportunity to share the love of Christ. Examples of ministries we have partnered with in the past include: Booneville Boys and Girls Club – a local youth program; Booneville Senior Home – a senior citizen home; and community cleanup with students in Booneville. Participants will do two days of house painting, and two days of ministry with children, so that everyone has an opportunity to do both. Adult leaders will separate youth into ministry groups, and the youth in your group will be mixed with the youth from other groups for their week of service.

Activities

Our goal with evening activities is to provide an exposure to the unique offering of the week and community. A list of evening/cultural activities we have done in the past include: Enjoy a community youth fellowship and concert; Cookout and swim at Blue Mountain State Park; and worship with a local church. These are examples of what your group might partake in during your mission week. These examples are subject to change due to weather or availability. In case of change, suitable substitutes will be provided.

Ministry Week

Two days of house painting, and two days of ministry with children

Mileage

The Ozarks site is located in Booneville, AR and is approximately 4.5 hours east of Memphis, TN, and 3 hours northeast of Little Rock, AR. For more information on trip distances and transportation options, call our Service Center at 1.800.968.8504.