SHELBYVILLE, Ky. (BP)--When spring arrives each year, Chris and Dorrine Wurzel pack up their travel trailer and go on mission to construct a new building for a congregation God has led them to help -- this year, Emmanuel Baptist Church in Shelbyville, Ky.

The Wurzels, of Brandon, Fla., are the founders and directors of Joshualand Ministries, a nonprofit organization through which God has provided 13 congregations with a new building during the past 12 years. On July 27, Emmanuel Baptist will move out of the VFW Post that has been their meeting place into their own worship facility. Once completed, all of Joshualand's projects are either debt-free or the congregation is left with a very manageable debt.

Joshualand's April-through-July construction schedule operates like clockwork. Volunteers from churches all over the United States arrive in their appointed week to complete a particular phase of the project. Each project encompasses about 250 volunteers in all.

Commenting on Wurzel's coordination of the Emmanuel project, pastor David Roach noted, "He runs a very tight ship, he has a plan and he uses everybody who comes."

A building contractor by trade, Wurzel became a follower of Christ at age 30 and has had a heart for missions ever since. "Before I came to know the Lord, I had always had a feeling that I would be dead by age 30. I didn't realize that the death I would have would be dying to 'self' ... to become a Christian!"

Now Wurzel cannot imagine doing anything less than what he has been doing for the past 12 years. He chose the name for his ministry because of his admiration for Joshua of the Old Testament who stated with Caleb, "If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land ... and will give it to us" (Numbers 14:8).

"That just fits what we do -- claim the land," Wurzel said.

Jeremiah 20:9 is Wurzel's life verse, when Jeremiah speaks of God's Word being a fire in his heart that cannot be contained. "That's what's in my heart. It's like a fire," Wurzel said. "We have a job to do, and God has called us."

Primarily committed to Southern Baptist work, Wurzel said he does not "choose" the projects he works on. "It's all done by prayer -- trusting God. He directs it."

Wurzel recounted the story of Little Rockies Community Baptist Church in Zortman, Mont.: "We had just finished a church on an Indian reservation, and the director of missions of that association wanted us to meet some people." John and Candy Kalal of Zortman had been praying for years that someone would help their congregation of eight construct a building. They had been using a community church which was creating conflict with another denomination that also used the building. "So we moved out into houses," John Kalal said.

When the Kalals and the Wurzels met, Candy broke into tears, seeing Joshualand as an answer to their prayers. "They had no property," Wurzel said, "and no money, but just a desire that this little town of 75, plus some ranchers, would have a church.

"It touches you when someone has been praying for so long, and you show up."

Soon God provided a building site about a mile out of town that already had been zoned for a church but had never been up for sale. The following summer, "Chris and Todd and Dorrine and the other 'Florida angels' came and built our building," John recounted. When the construction began, the community became involved. By the completion date, the membership had grown from about eight members to more than 20. Now, seven years later, they are approaching their building capacity of 50.

"It was a God thing in how it all worked out," Wurzel said. "God put it together, and we were able to minister to them, and the church is still going strong."

Little Rockies Community Church now serves as somewhat of an outpost for ministry to Native Americans on nearby reservations. The church often accommodates short-term missions groups who travel to the region to do ministry.

They have purchased a former office of a mining company for classes to teach mostly Native Americans some practical skills such as car maintenance, woodworking and hair styling and to provide an opportunity to earn their G.E.D. Outside the church, a building has been constructed called the Free Store where clothing is made available to those in need.

Kalal described Wurzel as "one of the biggest Florida angels there is. We think of them every time we step foot in that church. The Lord wouldn't have worked so much had it not been for them."

Joshualand Ministries operates thanks to churches and associations in 15 states who have partnered with the Wurzels, providing both labor and financing for the projects. The Wurzels are members of Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon, Fla.

Roach of Emmanuel Baptist praised the quality of the work Wurzel has supervised. "His ability has been demonstrated in getting plans and permits through the state. We ran into some snags, and Chris has really helped work though that." Roach noted that several in their congregation with building experience have asked Wurzel about various facets of the project and have been completely satisfied with the explanations.

"An electrical inspector came out not too long ago and commented about the top-notch work that had been done," Roach added. "I was really impressed because that's something they don't say too often from what I understand."

Emmanuel is the fourth church in Kentucky that Joshualand Ministries has constructed. Wurzel asks congregations who have been helped to volunteer to help with the next Joshualand project.

Horton Flats Community Baptist Church in Olive Hill was the first Kentucky church to be constructed by Joshualand, and members from their congregation have since served on other projects.

John Rucker of Horton Flats recounted their story: "There's only one other SBC church in our county -- we were the second one. We had been meeting in a trailer that one of the local folks let us use for two or three years. It got to the point that we couldn't get enough people in there, and we started checking around." Continued...