Ten years ago, a tornado leveled Carbondale Assembly of God in Tulsa, Oklahoma. With help from the community, Carbondale bounced back, and today, they are passing on the blessing. Under the vision and direction of Jeff Walker, Carbondale's youth pastor, the congregation gives one AG church a renovated youth building each
year.

Entering the third year of this mission's makeover program, Walker felt the Lord leading Carbondale to do more. He contacted the Oklahoma District office and requested their help in locating a church in need of a total renovation.

After prayerfully considering numerous applications and a few on-site visits, Turley Assembly of God, located just fifteen minutes away, was chosen for the complete church makeover. According to Turley AG's pastor, J.J. Jennings, the congregation was meeting in a 50-year-old building, and they simply did not have the money or
means to update.

Although there was surprise and excitement on learning they had been chosen, Jennings admits that the congregation was a little apprehensive handing over the keys. "Many were nervous beforehand; we just didn't know what they were going to do," he says.

Jennings and the Turley AG congregation handed the keys over to Carbondale on Thursday, May 28. A host of volunteers laid 900 square feet of tile, ripped out walls and carpet, put up new drywall, painted and brought in new furniture before returning the keys on Wednesday, June 3. However, the blessing did not stop with renovations to the physical church building. Carbondale also gifted the Turley AG youth group with a youth pastor, and have committed to pay his salary for one year.

After revealing the new facilities, previous feelings of apprehension were completely gone. "Everyone was in awe.  Many of the ladies kept saying how beautiful it all was," shares Jennings, "We had some of our people crying because of how blessed they felt."

Jennings is excited about how the makeover will help the congregation, not only inside the church walls, but in reaching outside. This past Saturday, just ten days after the renovation, Turley Assembly of God opened up its newly renovated doors and hosted an open house for the community. Amazingly, a parade was already scheduled to pass right in front of the church the same day. Turley AG took advantage of the face time by offering free hot dogs and handing out flyers to those passing by.

"No one knew we were having a parade," Jennings comments on the convenient timing, "God just works things out." Approximately 45 people came through the open house, and more than half of that number had never attended the church before. Jennings reports that several of those visitors attended Sunday services the next day.

Walker hopes other churches will latch onto this vision of renovation and take it to their own communities, no matter how big or small they are. He explains that even a little bit of paint, clean gutters, and a mowed lawn can make a huge difference.

"I would just challenge other churches to look outside the box, find other churches that are in need, and stretch out their hand to help. Too many times we work against each other instead of with and for one another," shares Walker, "It's not about numbers, but about  sharing the love of Christ."