By RaeAnn Slaybaugh

ACO, Texas — Thanks to the Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry (PDYM) Total Makeover Contest, R-Tillery® — the official youth ministry of Mighty Wind Worship Center in Waco, Texas — has some very snazzy new digs.

The church’s run-down youth room was overhauled Feb. 2-6 by more than 25 PDYM volunteers and representatives from various organizations and businesses. More than $65,000 in donations were raised, including brand-new musical instruments, a full-sized van, audio and video equipment, a new stage, shirts bearing the brand-new R-Tillery logo for all students and staff, banners and displays, 50 free passes to an upcoming Christian student conference, and lots of music CDs. As an added bonus, Latin Christian band Salvador performed at the reveal for the entire church and community.

Participating groups included vChurches, a complete church and ministry website solution; Guitar Center; MediaShout, a worship-and event-presentation-software provider; Planet Wisdom, an online environment for Christian teens; interlinc, a supplier of quality Christian music for youth leaders; Group Imaging, a fabrication, print and design firm; Uth Stuph Clothing; the Nicky Cruz Truce Outreach; and Youth Glue, provider of online student-management tools.

Tarzana, Calif.-based vChurches designed, launched and donated a website for life to R-Tillery, and co-founder Dave Urabe was on hand all four days to help revamp the space. He wrote about his experience for his company’s website, www.vchurches.com.

“I had to fly out and help, period [after receiving a phone call from PDYM Ministry Manager Joshua Griffin],” Urabe writes. “All I can tell you is that it was a God thing. It was a bit overwhelming.”

But Urabe wasn’t the only one feeling it: Pastor Gabriel Dominguez says he was pretty overcome himself. In addition to the facility makeover, Dominguez was surprised with a renovated office — complete with computer, credenza, lounge furniture, one year’s worth of teaching materials, and Internet broadband access — plus a “welcome-home” phone call from Doug Fields, renowned Saddleback Church youth pastor and president of Simply Youth Ministry.

“It’s been an incredible experience to have such an outpour of giving,” Dominguez says. “Because of this, R-Tillery will continue to be a vital part of mentoring students in our community.”