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Volunteers with World Changers are in Oxford this week to help four families with much-needed repair work on their homes.

The nonprofit, faith-based organization has made Oxford a yearly stop, with the decision on which homes to work coming after an extensive application process.

Anthony Rhodes, project manager, said there are 75 volunteers from seven churches located in Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, Georgia, and Alabama with some local volunteers also adding to the project.

Rhodes said the team has been doing complete paint jobs, minor repairs, pressure washing, and replacing porches.

“I was amazed at how much we got done on Monday as we were trying to get ahead of the weather,” Rhodes said.

The team is residing at Greenbriar Road Baptist Church and leaves there each morning at 7:15 a.m., working until 4 p.m.

Rhodes said the people being helped show their appreciation.

“There is one lady, whose home we have been to before, who came out to help paint,” Rhodes said. “All of their reactions are one of gratefulness.”

“We are so appreciative of all the local churches,” he said. “Without their support, we could not do this. They provide lunches at the job sites, among other things. We also appreciate all the support by the cities of Oxford and Anniston as well as the Calhoun County Baptist Association.”

Rhodes said they will carry on a tradition of having a closing celebration on Friday, July 26, at Greenbriar Road Baptist Church beginning at 8 p.m., where all the workers, local churches who have helped, and homeowners can get together.

Rhodes, who pastors a church in West Tennessee, said this is his fifth trip bringing his church to Oxford.

“It’s a little bit of a homecoming for me,” Rhodes said. “I grew up in Albertville, once pastored a church in Anniston, and went to school at JSU. When I take the team to Jefferson’s to eat, they all wonder how I knew about the place.”

Rhodes said the workers always get more out of the week than those they help.

“I’ve always said when we go on a mission trip to help others, we are the ones who come back blessed,” he said.

Rhodes said the schedule for the 2025 visit is already set for June 23-28, 2025. 

“We already have one church signed up to come next year with half the total number we have this year,” he said.