ALTUS - Working in the spirit of a certain carpenter from Galilee, “God Squads” of teens throughout Oklahoma are spending the week here sprucing up the homes of Altusans who otherwise couldn't afford it.

Their mission is “to spread God's love through servanthood,” said Amy Givens, youth minister and “Youth Force” director at First United Methodist Church of Altus, which is sponsoring the 150 7th through 12th graders as part of the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference's “Youth Force” endeavors, one of five in the state this year.

According to Givens, the young folks arrived Sunday, began working on Monday and will return to their homes Friday.

The teens are from nine different churches: First United Methodist Church of Altus, First United Methodist Church of Clinton, First United Methodist Church of Enid, Church of the Servant United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City, St. Luke's United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City, Village United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City, Wesley United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City, Goodrich Memorial United Methodist Church of Norman and United Methodist Church of the Good Shepherd of Yukon.

Working in teams of 10 - eight teens and two adults - these 15 “God Squads” are taking on seven roofing projects, five painting projects, four wheelchair ramps and one inside sheetrock job, Givens said.

The work is being done at no cost to the homeowners, and the teens have come up with their own finances to cover meals, recreation and other expenses while they are in Altus, she said.