NATCHEZ — Competition was emerging between volunteers at a construction site Monday to see who could find the stud with the highest percentage.

“Kevin missed one, ya’ll,” Sam Stone said. “I told you I was going to holler every mistake out. Don’t worry, I missed one too.”

“Yeah, I wasn’t going to point it out,” Kevin Parker said jokingly.

The two volunteers, with many others, were helping with construction at a house in Washington, saving the family approximately $2,000. The Southern Baptist Association and Washington Baptist Church sponsored the construction, which consisted of putting up insulation, Sheetrock and wiring electrical.

“We signed up to put up the Sheetrock,” volunteer Stone said. “The insulation came as a bonus because it had yet to be done.”

Washington Baptist Church was wiring the electric line and providing money. Pastor Carl Smith, who was there helping unload Sheetrock, said they were blessed to have Women’s Ministry Union and Southern Baptist Association in town with FamilyFEST Natchez. The event has brought approximately 200 people to Natchez.

“I think it is wonderful that people are willing to follow a commission and put feet to their faith,” he said.

Cynthia Harrison’s house burned down on July 28, 2008.

“It’s been a tough year, but luckily I’ve had friends, family, church people and co-workers at Video USA to help me out,” she said.

Harrison’s aunt, Linda Sudbeck, said it warms her heart to see the community come together like this to help them out.

“We do this because we love Jesus,” Stone said. “And I get a pleasure out of it — the Lord promises if we do his work he will make it a pleasure, and he sure has.”

Dean Patterson, 14, said he likes to volunteer because it gives him a chance to grow spiritually.

“I feel like this is one of the things God has called me to do,” he said.

Dale Little, Adams County Baptist Association director, said helping children learn about ministry is something FamilyFEST emphasizes.

Parker, who brought his sons Wyatt and Rhett, agrees.

“It is a good experience for the boys to get out of the house to find folks in need and help them,” he said.

Rhett Parker, 10, was stapling insulation.

“I just learned how to do this,” he said. “It feels good to get out and help people with their home.”

Wyatt Parker, 6, said it was his first time to go on one of these trips.

“My dad has done it before,” he said. “I’m proud of him.”

Wyatt said when he heard he was coming to Natchez to help build a house, he knew he had to take a nap.

“But I like it,” he said. “It feels good to help people’s lives.”

Many, like the Parkers, are in from out of town.

“Natchez is a beautiful town,” Stone said. “And the people I’ve met are good folks.”

Smith said it was easier to say you work for the Lord than to actually give service to God.

“When you are working out here in the heat with people you don’t know, you have a great opportunity to practice what you believe.”

He also said volunteer work comes with certain benefits.

“There is a blessing that comes from service to the Lord,” Smith said. “It is a blessing that you cannot get in any other way.”