The Chattanooga Challenge
Chattanooga Challenge is part of Widows Harvest Ministries, a Christian, non-profit ministry that has been based in an inner city neighborhood in Chattanooga, Tennessee since 1987. In that time we have helped to host thousands of volunteers through mission week opportunities involving high schools, church youth groups, college campus ministries, and many others.
Typical Mission Week Schedule
Groups usually arrive late Saturday afternoon to early evening. This gives the groups ample time to get unpacked and settled in before dark.
Sunday: Groups will attend a Black inner city church at The Bethlehem Center for Worship. Afternoons are free time. We will gather back at 5:00 for orientation. The rest of the evening is free time and you are to begin the devotional material that we will provide you with for the week.
Monday-Thursday: Groups will work from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm at the home of a widow. Work projects will primarily be in the areas of roofing and house painting. Supper will be provided by us at 5:00 pm. From 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm groups will work with inner city children at the Bethlehem Center. This will be a vacation Bible school format, and groups will be responsible for leading some of the activities. After VBS groups will return to the house for devotions and lights out.
Tuesday: There is a break in the daily schedule on this day. From 11:00 am to 1:00 pm groups will attend a widows prayer time and Bible study in order to experience first hand their ministry of prayer.
Wednesday: There is a break in the evening schedule at the Bethlehem Center. Instead of there being VBS that night the church will have services in which the groups participate.
Friday: Sometimes a project cannot be completed in four days so we ask that groups consider staying at least through noon in order to complete their project if necessary. You are free to spend this night in the house if you desire. The next group will not arrive until the following evening. We recommend that groups consider a time of recreation and unwinding before heading home. There is a lot to do and see in Chattanooga, or perhaps you might want to go white water rafting on the Ocoee or Nantahala rivers. Both rivers are about one hour's drive from here.
Housing
Mission groups are housed in a two story, turn-of-the century house. This house can accommodate up to 25 people. Girls are housed on the second floor and guys sleep down stairs. There is a full bathroom on each floor and a kitchen on the first floor. Groups need to bring sleeping gear. Phones are available for calling home.
Cost
The cost per person for the week is $300.00. This cost includes:
- a t-shirt
- a devotional booklet
- housing
- the cost of the work project
- all evening meals
If mission groups want us to provide breakfast and lunch they will need to add an additional $20.00 per person to the cost. Mission Groups will also be responsible for providing a snack and drink for the evening Bible clubs. The cost of the crafts that they provide on those evenings will also be their responsibility.
While we do need to cover our costs, we are very sensitive to funding limitations. If costs are a problem, please contact us. We believe that it is important for you to come, and we can work together towards that goal.
Not Set in Stone
It is important to have a basic framework from which to operate, but we try to remain as flexible in our thinking and planning as possible. Every mission group that passes through this ministry is unique. Taking this fact into consideration means that we are willing to work with the leadership of any group that comes here in a way that will best meet their specific needs.
Mission Week Philosophy
In working with so many high school aged young people and so many senior adult women over the years, it has become plain to us that both of these groups are treated or regarded in much the same way by our society--even that segment of our society which professes to be Christian. What Many times, it is assumed that neither of these groups have much to contribute, and therefore, most of the activities that both groups are channeled into seem to be for the purposes of keeping them entertained.
From the time we are born until the time that we go home to be with the Lord, God considers each of us to be equally valuable in making significant contributions to His kingdom work here on this earth. By treating these two groups in ways that do not recognize and encourage their value in God's eyes, we end up steering them into activities that lead to lifestyles that ultimately have little discernable value for the advancement of God's kingdom.
Widows Harvest Ministries has taken the opposite approach in dealing with these two valuable groups in our society. That is why we consider these mission weeks to be discipleship opportunities. We pray that each of the widows and the volunteers that serve them will leave with a greater sense of what their value is in God's eyes.
Upcoming Mission Teams and Events
Click here to see a calendar of our upcoming missions teams and the dates still open this year!
Contact
Contact Andy Mendonsa with questions, for more information and brochures, or to schedule your group now.