Other dates for this site include:

Demographics

Marvell is located 30 miles west of the Mississippi River in the beautiful cotton land of east central Arkansas. It is located in an area of deep poverty, largely ignored by most, including the more well-to-do cities and counties of Arkansas. Historically Marvell has been an extremely racially divided community of African and Anglo Americans, although there has been much work done in recent times to alleviate some of these tensions in the community. The existing racial tension is not the only struggle this community strives to overcome. Currently, Marvell struggles with the effects of high unemployment and under-employment rates. Due to the lack of viable local jobs, the people of Marvell often look elsewhere for employment. In 2000, federal statistics reported that 30% of Marvell’s residents lived below the poverty level. As a result of these economic struggles, Marvell’s population has been declining in recent years and houses are generally in poor condition. In 2000, only 64% of those 25 years and older had a high school degree. Marvell suffers from a lack of community programs for children, which contributes to a higher than normal crime rate, a high teen pregnancy rate and high drug use. Yet, the people of this town are filled with love and abounding in hospitality – your youth will receive as much as, if not more than, they give.

About the Ministry

We focus on two primary areas of ministry: children and home improvement. Our work with children consists of a wonderful 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. Your group may also have the opportunity to work with Outrageous Sports Camps – a new ministry of YouthWorks designed as an outreach to youth ages 10-14. Your group will engage community youth in fun, active sports programming to help them develop athletic skills and help them learn basic life skills. Our desire is that participants will have opportunities to build meaningful relationships with community youth and show them the outrageous love of Jesus. Also during the week, your group will have the opportunity to do home improvement. 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. Participants will do two days of house painting,and two days of ministry with children or spend four days with Outrageous Sport Camps. 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. We ask that you come with a willing and flexible spirit.

Activities

Evening activities during a YouthWorks week are designed to give participants insight into the lives of local residents and the culture of the area. Below is a list of evening/cultural activities we have done in the past: Visit the Yellow Store and Wildlife Refuge; Visit Mr. Pointer's cotton field to learn about the cotton industry and its history; Worship at a local church; and attend a Community potluck. 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 work projects and two days of Kids' Club or four days with Outrageous Sports Camp.

Mileage

The Memphis airport is approximately two hours north of Marvell.

Transportation & Travel

Each group is responsible for transportation to and from the site, and during the mission week.

Additional Information

If you would like more information on what there is to do in Arkansas before or after your trip visit the following tourism Web site: www.arkansas.com.