SPUMC Youth Work To Make Life Better For Appalachians

Youth from Severna Park United Methodist Church spent a week of their summer serving people in need in Appalachia through building projects and sharing God’s love.

Everett Gerig, Chelsea Dinenny, Anna DeVries and Izzy Kraft worked on a home repair project during the trip to Tennessee.

Nathan DeVries and other students didn’t shy away from wielding tools and getting dirty as they worked on home projects for people in need.

Adam Sexton and Jordan Dill worked on the exterior of a home.

Kaelin Cservek assisted Ally Jones with cutting a piece of trim.

Posted Thursday, August 6, 2026 9:58 am

By Judy Tacyn

Since 1969, the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) has helped families in parts of Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia live “warmer, safer and drier.” Appalachia is one of the nation’s poorest areas due to complex economic issues that have persisted for generations.

For more than 40 years, the youth of Severna Park United Methodist Church (SPUMC), along with college students and adult volunteers, have made it their mission to support the people in Appalachia each summer by repairing roofs, replacing flooring, building wheelchair ramps, or completing any interior or exterior project that is needed.

From June 27 through July 4, one of the hottest stretches of the summer, 63 members of SPUMC worked near Johnson City, Tennessee. SPUMC crews worked at several of 13 homes designated by ASP for improvements.

“Once you go on the mission, you are completely hooked and want to go again,” said Zach Girton, a 2026 graduate of Severna Park High School (SPHS). “I love the entire experience. The people we meet. The people we help. All of it.”

Girton’s work crew removed the ceiling and did other demolition work for a homeowner.

ASP welcomes volunteers for 10 weeks each summer. The SPUMC team arrived for week four to pick up on projects started by other volunteers during weeks one through three.

Patrick McHale, a rising junior at Severn School, rebuilt a ramp for a single woman who is an amputee. “The homeowner thanked us several times during the week,” McHale said. “She was extremely grateful and came outside often to speak with us. That was really special.”

SPHS senior Jordan Dill was on a work crew that repaired siding for an older couple who often care for their granddaughter.

“This mission trip brings me so much joy,” Dill said. “I love spending some of my summer with friends who also love God and want to dedicate their time to spread his love and help others to give them a better life.”

The Rev. Lee Ferrell, SPUMC minister of Christian education and youth, explained that the entire team prepares for the trip by learning worksite safety and how to use tools. They also learn about the area they are going to, including its history and the current state of poverty.

“My first trip was very eye-opening. I got a better understanding of people you’re working for and what you can do,” Girton said. “It made me realize that there are people in our area that need help, too, so I’ve started working at a local soup kitchen.”

McHale shared, “It’s really shocking to see the conditions some people live in. What we are able to accomplish makes a tremendous impact on people’s lives.”

What would inspire adults to take time off from work and youth to give up some of their summer (and countless hours of preparation and fundraising throughout the year) to work in impoverished areas of the country? Love. Love of God. Love of neighbor.

Ferrell said each day has “devo” (devotional) time built into the schedule, and each day has a scriptural theme.

“Talking about God and sharing their faith is an important part of every day,” Ferrell added. “We don’t take on this mission trip for ourselves, or for each other. We do it for him.”

She added that “love your neighbor” doesn’t mean just in Tennessee; it means love your neighbors at home, too.

“The trip is important because we learn the material goods we have and that we think we need to have to be happy don’t mean anything,” Dill said. “Our perspective is completely altered to learn that happiness comes from within and we have to be grateful for what we have. These families are so grateful we are there to help them, and that’s where their happiness comes from.”

On August 9, the 29 youth, 11 college students and 23 adults who comprised this year’s team will share their photos, stories and project updates with the SPUMC congregation during a special gathering.

To learn more about the Appalachia Service Project, visit www.asphome.org. To get involved in SPUMC’s annual mission trip, contact Lee Ferrell at lferrell@severnaparkumc.org.