A special call has been issued for skilled carpenters and plumbers for the 2009 annual Nigeria work camp, jointly sponsored by the Church of the Brethren, Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (EYN- the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), and Mission 21 (formerly Basel Mission).

Those willing to do general manual labor are also welcome for event scheduled for Feb. 8 to March 8, 2009. Dave Whitten, Nigeria mission coordinator for the Church of the Brethren, will lead the work camp.

At EYN Headquarters, the group will help construct a teacher's house for the Comprehensive Secondary School and complete the HIV/AIDS office building that was started in 2008. American and European participants will work together with Nigerian Christians. Workcampers also will have opportunities to worship in EYN churches and be hosted in the homes of church members.

Former workcamper Kathleen D. Brinkmeier, pastor of First Church of the Brethren in Rockford, Ill., encourages participation from personal experience.

"Before going on my first journey I had believed that work camp missions were for the young and energetic believers, but I found that age and energy are not directly related," she said. "Our work camp was diversified in age and in country of origin, and every participant was encouraged to use their individual gifts- and we did that and worked as a huge team.

"I urge anyone that has ever felt God tug at the strings of your heart and whisper, 'Go into all the world, making disciples,' to take this opportunity and walk in faith."

The approximate cost of $2,200 includes round-trip travel from the closest airport in the continental United States and living expenses in Nigeria.

Participants must be age 18 or older. Those ages 14 to 17 may participate if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is participating in the work camp.

For more information and an application form go to www.brethren.org/genbd/ global_mission/workcamp or call Justin Barrett at the Global Mission Partnerships Office, (800) 3238039, ext. 230 or email jbarrett_gb@brethren.org.

Application deadline is Oct. 10.

This article is provided by Worldwide Faith News.