"The Call"

An estimated 100,000 people from across America gathered in Flushing Meadows Park in Queens, New York City on June 29. Many had traveled several days in order to participate in a solemn assembly entitled "The Call". This was the third gathering in as many years gathering young people and all generations to one major USA city. "The Call" unites people to pray for transformation in a region, the nation and the world.

Organizers knew this year's selection of New York City (planned before the tragic events of 9-11) was a strategic one. This is a significant time of recovery for New York City. Our nation's War on Terror has challenged us to unite our hearts toward physically and spiritually "healing the land."

The week leading up to the June 29th event was designated as "A Time to Bless the City", mobilizing visiting groups to participate in service and partnership with New York City. Operation Blessing played a key role in designing the effort and providing the necessary resources for some of the community revitalization projects. These included volunteers weeding the shoreline and painting benches at Flushing Meadows Park, cleaning area apartments in housing projects near Ground Zero, and providing basketball equipment for Long Island Teen Challenge outreaches.

"We are so grateful for the young people answering the call in our communities who are demonstrating God's love through tangible expressions of service," commented Jim Esposito, OBI's Metro New York director

Tom and Linda Nolan of Forward Edge International, one of the key partners in "A Time to Bless the City" shared, "These young people wanted to do something for New York after 9-11 and this project enabled them to reach out in a powerful way. No one will ever be the same after this experience."

When the week was done, the dedicated volunteers had provided New York City with $300,000.00 worth of labor and services! Some projects will also continue into the summer.

Thank you Operation Blessing partners for helping America's youth respond to "The Call" and help answer their own prayers for transformation and revolution.