Hello,
I would like to introduce my brother in Christ Cody Badgwell. We met each other while working in a college ministry in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and I could see the fire that burned within Cody. Since then I have seen God use him in multiple ways through college ministry and his recent mission trip to New York. God was faithful during this time to provide Cody with the necessary love and support that he needed. He has a great desire to help people in big cities that have been pushed to the curb. Instead of giving them money Cody wants to give them a treasure that will last forever. Since we have been friends he has talked about his passionate love for teaching not in beautiful safe communities but in some of the darkest communities that exist in American.
Cody is about to embark on yet another mission trip to LA in which his missions team will pour out the love of Christ to the unseen parts of LA. They will be working with the homeless, drug addicts, prostitutes, and etc. These people that live on the streets of LA are about to experience an abounding love from the Father.
Quick Notes:
-Cody is working with Church of Highlands.
– He needs to raise $1,050 for his trip.
– Please pray for His teams safety and for them to expanded Gods kingdom into the depths of LA.
– Please pray about giving financially so that people can be reached.
-Below is Cody's support letter.
-Thank you friends and family I know that you are all faithful supporters of Gods work.
Cody's Support Letter:
To whom it may concern,
My greatest passion of all time has always been to serve people, and see heaven upon earth in the process. Coming from a church whose “middle name” would be serving, I’ve seen the highlights of the impact it makes in people’s lives. When the church comes together to help a desolate world, peoples’ lives are changed, and I’m honored to be a part of that.
This semester, I have been blessed with the opportunity to further, not only my faith, but the faith of others. In December, my church, Church of the Highlands, is taking a mission trip to Los Angeles, California. There, we’ll be working with the Los Angeles Dream Center, founded in the heart of downtown LA by Pastor Tommy Barnett, and his son, Matthew Barnett. At the LADC, they focus on local outreach, rehabilitation, poverty, and altogether ministry to help further God’s ministry in a world that has rejected it. Founded in 1994, they are responsible for serving nearly 40,000 people each month (now that is a lot of people).
This mission trip holds a special place in my heart for numerous reasons. With my secondary education degree in the making at Shelton State Community College, I’m desiring to one day become a teacher in the inner city schools. With stories such as “Freedom Writers” and the “Ron Clark Story,” I am inspired to make an impact in the younger generation rising up. Los Angeles has been known for their riots and worldly ways. What better city that LA to get a glimpse at what I’m looking forward to.
With the desire to go to a major city on a mission trip, I feel it’ll expose the challenges I’ll soon face as a teacher in the inner city school system. After going to New York in March 2012, I caught just a glimpse. For some reason, I feel that Los Angeles will be a slight more challenging task. While in New York, I witnessed the highs and lows of a major city life. Some of the sights were depressing while others were greatly exhilarating. Los Angeles holds a special place in my heart due to the expectations of higher challenges and a difference in culture. Growing up in Alabama, it’s easy to see how Christianity became my faith to begin with, even though I now base my faith off my own personal experiences I’ve had with God.
This trip is December 17-23, 2012, right at the beginning of Christmas break. The overall cost for this trip is $1,050. This pays for my flight and lodging for the days we stay. However, it does not cover the cost of “extra spending” as far as souvenirs go (which I have no intentions on having either way). While I am in Los Angeles, I’ll be working aside the LADC with local outreach such as Adopt-A-Block, and other local ministries. Furthermore, I’ll be serving within the LADC in helping with maintenance, painting, and whatever else is asked. With the servant heart God has blessed me with, I am beyond honored to give up a whole week of my time to serve with the LADC.
While financial support is a need, more than anything your prayers are needed. Not just prayers for God to provide the way, but for God to work in the lives of the local people in Los Angeles, and in the life of myself, to allow God to transform me from what I see. If financial support isn’t what you’re able to help out with, please be in prayers. They are definitely greatly appreciated!
If it is financially that you’re able to give, let me thank you even more in advance! The process is short and simple. If you’re writing a check, just simply make the checkout to “Church of the Highlands,” and the “for” would more than likely be “Mission Trip/Cody Badgwell,” or just simply “LA Dream Center/Cody Badgwell.” However you’d like to put it. Also, it’s even easier to give online by going to https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/missions/give. You’ll see a drop box to which mission to donate (choose the LA Dream Center), and then you’ll see another drop box, and you click my name, and that’ll be about it. From there, I’m sure you’ll be able to work around and find what needs to be done.
I thank you in advance for anything and everything you do. Although you may never see rewards for your kindness and blessings, you’ll have a full reward in heaven! I look forward to serving aside you in the near future.
God bless you,
Cody Badgwell
