Young Adult volunteers perform exterior work at Billy Hooten Memorial UMC.

The Young Adult Ministry Council called for labor during the Labor Day Weekend.

A work project on Sept. 5 in Oklahoma City drew 35 people and benefited Billy Hooten Memorial UMC, a congregation of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference.

Participant Annette Bellis said, "It was awesome to meet other young adults from around the state. I felt God was calling me to go; I hadn’t been able to do a mission for a while. We are called to serve." She directs Young Adult Ministries at Wagoner UMC.

Yard work filled most of the schedule for Bellis. When she entered the sanctuary late in the day, she saw blankets in the pews and asked their purpose.

She was surprised to learn the building lacked heating and cooling systems.

"I guess I just assumed that, in the United States, all churches had those basic utilities," she commented.

Hospitality warmed hearts that day. Bellis said Hooten church members "took good care of us. The lunch was great; the hugs were awesome!"

Council leader Trina Bose North reported her delight with the turnout: laypeople ranging in age from 18 to 40s, members of four campus ministries, four clergy, and four children. Painting was the primary task.

"We got a lot done for the church," she said.

"Our hope is to get to know one another, serve together as the hands and feet of Christ, and grow as disciples in the process."

The workday was the first mission within Oklahoma for the council. In 2008, the group worked at a seminary in Monterrey, Mexico; that was the Young Adults’ first international mission. Rev. North said the Young Adults may undertake a VIM mission at Rio Bravo in 2010.