Organizing a group of volunteers for three decades rises to a much greater level of commitment.
Julian Newman of Talladega has headed up the annual work trips for the Carpenters for Christ since 1982, finding the project, organizing the preliminary work, ordering shirts, arranging shelter and meals — and taking part in the construction, too.
Most of the work has been putting up church buildings, with volunteers getting the buildings near completion in a 10-day period. They’ve been on jobs all over the south and up into the Midwest, providing free labor to help others.
Newman didn’t start the group — it originated in Anniston — but he got involved in a big way and helped see the volunteers through to successful construction jobs year after year.
“It’s really life-changing, the men I’ve met and the miracles we’ve seen,” he said.
This year was different in a couple of ways. It was their first time to work in Talladega, the first time they’ve taken on two projects at once, and it’s apparently the last time Newman will be organizing things.
He says it’s time to pass the torch to someone else for that part of the job, but he’s not quitting. As long as he’s able, he plans to be there to help get the job done.
It’ll be time to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and see more miracles take place. Oh, and they’ll put up a new building, too.
It takes real dedication to make a difference like that, and special people.
Our hats are off to Julian Newman for a job well-done.
