Block by Block with Sturgis Youth
Twenty-five youth and adults endured the heat of Iowa in July as they worked with a program called “Block by Block,” a relief organization with the focus of helping to repair and renovate homes from the ravages of the floods in 2008. Some of the group actually used vacation time to bring hope and care to the desperate residents. The church’s missionaries tore out plaster board, lathe, duct work, furnaces, plumbing and electrical wiring. They painted basements, trimmed windows, laid flooring, stained decks, painted garages, and roofed and painted sheds and homes. 
Work also included tuck-pointing, washing windows, and landscaping.
For the second consecutive year, the church sent missionaries into the area, bringing hope, joy, and help, witnessing to their own belief in Jesus Christ to the Cedar Rapids citizens. The Sturgis church supported the group financially by raising money through special offerings as well as through a benefit concert by praise band Reconciled. Church members also donated gas cards and snacks for the week-long trip. This year seven teenagers embraced the challenge as did the 18 adults who were a welcome aid to the Block by Block program. A favorite aspect of the trip was the daily devotions led by members of the mission group, and the daily reading of letters of encouragement sent from congregational members.
Serving in Iowa, from the Sturgis church were Gene Yoder, Tina Hamilton, Stan Yoder, Thomas Tetzloff, Bob Yoder, Barb and Lauren Raiford, Austin Sroczynski, Eli Wickline, Peter Smith, Lance Goodlock, Ann Pursley, Beth and Katelyn Schwartz, Marcia Harrington, Jackie and Alex Brazo, Debby Mathis, Carl Brenneman, Linda and Doug Large, Kalvin Avery, Rev. Deb Johnson, and Karen and Tom Scheetz.