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The Rev. Morris Brown is wearing his hair a little shorter these days. Brown is sporting a close-shaven scalp as a result of a challenge he made to the youths of his church, Grace United Methodist.

Because of the poor economy, the church had to drastically cut its youth budget this year — by $7,000. This meant there would not be as much money to help fund the youth’s annual summer Appalachian Service Project or another trip later in the summer. Thirty youths in sixth through 12th grades wanted to participate. In the past, the church has supplemented the costs.

“The kids were down that some kids might not be able to afford to go,” Brown said. “They needed to raise $12,000 for the trips, so I told them if they raised the money themselves, I would shave my head.”

The youths took up the challenge with gusto, raising enough to not only fund the Appalachian Service Project trip, but also a mission trip later in the summer to work at the Winston-Salem Children’s Home for a weekend. Plus, they have money left to put into a new fund for future mission projects, perhaps even an international trip.

In January, the youths started contemplating ways to raise the money needed for the mission trips and win the right to shave their pastor’s head.

They wrote sponsorship letters, gained business sponsors and sold T-shirts, and then decided to hold an auction. The youths helped advertise the event and sold 150 tickets for $15 each. The evening included food and entertainment with an auction of donated items and services, such as a stay in a Colorado town house, pool membership, dance lessons and spa packages. In addition, a raffle and live auction of youth services was held. For example, bidders paid for youths to do yard work, pet-sit and baby-sit. Knowing how much their daughter wanted to be involved in the shaving of the pastor’s head, youth director Christina McCord’s parents and her husband’s parents chipped in $300 to buy her and the youths the honor.

“Not since military school 25 years ago have I had my hair this short,” Brown said with a laugh. “It’s very cool, and someone said it makes me look younger.”

The youths will go on the Appalachian Service Project from June 27 through July 3 and will be involved in home-repair projects such as building ramps and roofing. The church has sent youths on this project for at least 10 years, Brown said.

“For these kids, it’s an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ, but it also gives them the opportunity to see how others live and gain a deeper appreciation of the needs in the community,” Brown said.
 

McCord said the youths love getting to know the families, giving back and helping others.
“It’s more about the relationships they build, lives they touch and sharing God’s love,” McCord said. “They realize they’re making a difference, and they go back.”

Contact Jennifer Atkins Brown at 574-5582 or jennifer.brown@news-record.com.