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A. The Appalachia Service Project is a home repair and home building ministry through which volunteers and our staff repair and build homes for low-income families in rural Central Appalachia. Our goal is to make homes warmer, safer and drier, while offering transformational experiences for volunteers and homeowners alike.

While the Appalachia Service Project strives to make homes warmer, safer and drier, ASP is also a relational ministry. Quality construction is only one of the priorities for most volunteers; creating relationships is another. Most of ASP's volunteers return home with new friends, a new understanding of another culture, and a new appreciation of their own gifts, priorities and values.

A. ASP was begun by Glenn "Tex" Evans, a United Methodist Minister, former missionary, and a pioneer in exciting ministries to persons in Appalachia.

The author of “Life is Like That” spoke out of a deep reservoir of personal experience and with a delightful sense of humor. Tex was a wise and gentle man whose entire ministry was devoted to the enhancing of life, the eradication of pain and poverty, the motivations of young persons to Christian discipleship, and the proclamation of the gospel.

While ministering at Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Kentucky, Tex witnessed the great needs for better housing in eastern Kentucky. This compassionate interpretation of the Gospel moved Tex to envision a way to meet distressed housing needs while encouraging the "Church" to be a part of the solution. His creative plan matched church youth from around the country to specific homes in Central Appalachia. Tex harnessed the powerful resource of energetic, concerned people by creating a work project that has changed both the living conditions of thousands and the lives of hundreds of thousands of volunteers who have unselfishly given their time, talents and labors. ASP's first work camp center was established in 1969 at Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky. Tex, with $800, "Pinky" (the pink station wagon which was the first donated ASP vehicle), and 50 volunteers repaired four homes.

A. On July 25, 1978 Tex died from cancer. Now, decades later, his vision continues to inspire and encourage individuals and churches throughout the United States, and especially the people of the Appalachian Region. The spirit of ASP remains vitally alive today as it did at inception: to serve our neighbors in Christian love and acceptance through housing services. …And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Mat 25:40 KJV)

We rejoice in the gift of life, consider it to be possible only through the goodness, and the wisdom, and the power of God.

We count ourselves to be Christians, even saying with Polycarp of old: "I worship the one true God and His Son I follow!"

We see all people as our brothers and sisters, made in the image of God, having intelligence, a will, freedom, a sense of beauty, compassion, a sense of values, and creativity.

We hold that every person wants, essentially, four things: to be loved, to belong, to own something, to create something worthwhile.

We go to our brothers and sisters and we accept them right where they are, just the way they are. Earnestly, we seek to bear witness to awareness, concern, hope and helpfulness-Christian Love!

We count ourselves fortunate indeed, in our own opportunities, and seek to give a good account of our stewardship.

We seek to work in glad cooperation and mutual support with other workers being prepared to keep sensitive and helpful according to the needs of the hour.

Gladly, do we serve Him who said in the fourth chapter of Luke, "He has sent me to set at liberty those who are oppressed and to open the doors of the captive."

A. The Appalachia Service Project serves Central Appalachian counties in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia.

All of these counties have poverty rates well above the national average, and many of our counties are classified as "distressed" by the Appalachian Regional Commission.

The Appalachia Service Project's organizational headquarters is located in Johnson City, Tennessee. The Johnson City facility is home to ASP's Development, Summer Ministry, Volunteer, and Finance Departments. It is also home to ASP's fleet of vehicles and warehouse of donated building materials.

A. Although ASP is geared to being a life experience for teens, almost anyone 14 and older can go. There is no need to have a special construction skills as you will be prepared by the ASP leaders at church.

Youth workers are ages 14 – high school seniors. Adult leaders are also required (construction experience is helpful but not required.) Work crews are formed of 4 – 7 volunteers, including their adult leader.

ASP is about sharing with others and being witnesses to God’s love and grace in our lives through our actions. Hillcrest was very active in ASP for many years. As the older youth have grown, there has not been enough for work teams lately, however, a new crop of volunteers have sprouted and we are looking forward to a great team in 2004!

Men in one room, ladies in another please! At some schools we will be given the gym and it is separated for men and women. Food is prepared by ASP lunch staff at the facility. Teams take their lunches with them to the worksites.

A. Volunteers arrive on Sunday, and leave on the following Saturday. Group Leaders are asked to divide their group into work crews of 4-7 members. On Sunday evening, ASP's staff assigns projects to each work crew, based on a crew's skill level and on the needs of pre-selected families. Here’s a typical weekly schedule:

Sunday: arrive between 2:00 and 4:00 pm.

Monday – Friday: Work for your ASP family

6:30 – 8:00 am morning devotions, breakfast

8:00 – 8:30 am pack lunches, go to work sites

9:00 – 4:30 work hard! (lunch at work site)

5:00 – 6:00 shower, plan supplies for next day

6:00 – 7:00 supper

7:30 – 10:30 evening gatherings, chores, free time

10:30 quiet time

11:00 lights out

Thursday night: picnic with the families.

Saturday: leave early in the morning.

There are devotions each morning and evening gatherings of prayer and devotions. The work is hard, but it is fun too. It is, without a doubt, a week that you will never forget!

A. Become active in the ASP preparation; It cost money to go on an ASP mission trip, and there is team building to be done beforehand. Your adult leaders will keep you informed of upcoming meetings, training sessions, and fundraisers. Also, be sure to visit the ASP page on the church’s web site for the latest news.

Each group that applies is required to submit an $80 check with their application form. This covers the costs of processing the application, mailings, and study materials. As outlined in the fee schedule, each volunteer pays a volunteer fee that is split into a deposit (sent in advance to the Johnson City TN office) and a balance (paid at the center). In addition, a work crew fee is assessed to purchase the supplies and materials used by the group while on site. Fees for the summer are $175 for volunteers and $375 per work crew.

Q. I really want to help with our ASP mission, but I don’t think I’m ready to go away. Is there something I can do at our church to help the teams?

A. Yes indeed! In the upcoming months, we will be forming the teams, training, and fundraising. We will form what we call “the home front” as well as the “away teams.” We need as many involved as possible.

A. The principal point of contact for ASP at Hillcrest is Thomas Holland phone: 582-2756