Backyard Ministry Shining Bright in Central Florida

By Jan Gibson

It was an unintended power lunch. They weren't there as busy executives, just two old friends finding time for each other. But God was at the table too, powerfully putting a plan in motion. Through the words of one man to another Lake County Backyard Ministry was born, and the fruits of that day now spread across the county like its once prolific citrus groves.

Daryl Carter is an Orlando businessman and a member of Man in the Mirror's Board of Directors. Shannon Elswick manages four hospitals and sits on several boards. Theirs is a nurturing relationship, based on years of professional respect and a shared faith. It was natural then, that day last year, for Elswick to confide in his colleague. He spoke of his discontent, his longing to do more. "I've been so blessed. I want to give something back. I want to make a difference. I just don't know how. I feel called, but I don't know to what," he said.

Carter was stunned. That didn't sound at all like the Shannon he knew, and he told him so. "You of all the people I've known are a man of action. Don't just say you want to do something, that you feel called. You are called. Phone's ringing. Answer the phone! Then do what God wants."

What God wanted, apparently, was for Elswick to get down and dirty for his brothers. In obedience to the command " Love thy neighbor as thyself " and the scriptural challenge to " Let your light shine before men, " he was led to serve in a mission field right in his own backyard. Pulling up weeds, removing trees, gathering trash, patching holes and painting are just some of the Saturday chores Lake County Backyard Ministry performs for those less able.

It didn't take long. Within a few weeks of Carter's commission, Elswick had assembled a group of five poised to "Let God bring us the projects." Today it's a collection of 90 families, about 300 parents and children toiling together, learning indelible lessons of life. It's a collaboration of the heart, not a corporation of purpose. Even with attorneys and CPAs on the team, there is no desire to be formal. "We just want people to know that God sent us," Elswick explains. "We are praising as we do this work."

There is no job description. It's a paper free endeavor-no manual, no printed agenda, no articles of incorporation, no by-laws, no web site-only an email newsletter to match neighbors in need to neighbors on call. Tools are primitive-shovel, rake, broom, chain saw, paintbrush, lawn mower, hoe, hands. Assignments vary but the rewards are the same. "We try to say we're in it for others, but it's hard to deny we haven't felt good," Elswick says.

Elswick finds the larger project in an affluent area is often received with an attitude of entitlement while the less significant job in a poorer location is accepted with gratitude and grace. Yet it doesn't matter, he says. Cleaning up for others can be very cleansing. He takes "comfort in knowing I'm doing something good in the lives of others. It has a calming effect." A woman living in small quarters near the National Park had raised a family by herself but, alone now, she needed assistance with a simple repair. An invalid was housebound until Backyard built a wheelchair ramp. A disabled Vietnam Vet needed help to clean his home. Last summer's hurricanes required the forces out in full. When demolition and clean-up projects exceeded garbage bag capacity and municipal trash pick-up regulations, "God provided a dumpster," Elswick says knowingly, adding, "Whatever we need, it's there."

How do they find each other? The group chose not to put any sophisticated screening in place, letting instead "common sense and God" bring leads. Lake County 's EMS and Code Enforcement are frequent providers.

Every Saturday a family or two or three-sometimes the entire fleet-are out in the yard working for a neighbor. After chores are done, the volunteers have a meal together for fellowship and worship. Primarily a group of Christians, it is nondenominational and nonrestrictive, just "people on call for God," Elswick says.

Elswick encourages all of us to find something outside ourselves. "Just do it," he says. "Start and see what happens in a culture of doing and giving back. What you give will be appreciated and bring back to you." Essentially an expert on loving one's neighbor, he reminds us that "God reaches out to busy people because busy people have learned how to make it happen." And when they make time to do God's work for others, they are the ones most often blessed.

Would you like to learn more? Give Shannon a call at (407) 948 9599.