Today's youth face a barrage of extremes — extreme makeovers, extreme sports, extreme life in the fast lane.

Benjamin Lundquist, youth pastor of the Camelback Seventh-day Adventist Church in Phoenix, Ariz., thought the youth attending the Arizona camp meeting should have an extreme experience for Jesus. Following a popular television show, he decided to host his own "Xtreme Home Makeover — Camp Meeting Edition."

Lundquist and his team searched throughout Prescott, Ariz., for a home in need that could be renovated in the span of one week. The youth would have the opportunity to devote a few hours each day to working on the project in addition to their regular camp meeting sessions of Bible study, music and witnessing.

Finally, the perfect house became available. The owner of the house, Nancy, has devoted her life to caring for those in need by volunteering at the nearby Veterans Center, the Salvation Army, and at various church and community service programs.

Nancy's house was in extreme need — there were gaping holes in the roof that caused much distress — especially in the upcoming "monsoon season," which she anticipated with dread. She had already gone through three large tarps to keep her home dry. But she never thought of seeking help from others — until Lundquist and his team came knocking at her door.

Prior to camp meeting, the team carefully assessed the needs for the remodel, devised a shopping list, then began fund-raising. Many church members gave financial support, and soon the money for the project was in-hand. Local merchants, including Home Depot and Wal-Mart, helped with discounts and special gifts.

On June 8, the young people boarded the buses, vans and cars and drove to Nancy's house. They watched in stunned silence as they looked over the project site. Many had never seen a house in such poor condition. Then they met and fell in love with Nancy! Soon, the work began and the roofing tiles began to fly into the big, hungry dumpster parked in Nancy's driveway.

The plan called for a new roof, new paint, landscaping, gardens, flowers, vegetables, and a fenced parking area — certainly an ambitious undertaking for a period of one week.

Sam Ochoa, a member of the Arizona Conference executive committee, donated the services of his roofing company in Tucson and supervised the demolition and reconstruction to insure that the job was done to code and that the roof would be a good one.

During the demolition, Tony Anobile, Jr., experienced first-hand how badly the roof needed replacing when he walked across it carrying old tiles and found himself crashing through into the living room beneath. Thankfully, he was not injured, but the hole he created made a perfect location for a skylight in Nancy's living room.

During the final two days of the makeover, Nancy was housed in a nearby motel so the final additions to her property could be done in secret. A big school bus was parked in front of the house on Friday morning, shielding the view of the house as Nancy, Lundquist and others made their way up the road to the newly redecorated house. As the young carpenters, roofers, gardeners and painters yelled, "Move that bus!" the driver roared out of the driveway, allowing Nancy to see the beauty of her newly-roofed and repainted house and gardens.

Tears flowed. Thunderous applause from youth, pastors, neighbors and other spectators greeted the group as they led Nancy through the gate into the courtyard of her home. Flowers, gardens and hand-written greetings were everywhere. She embraced her young friends and expressed her great joy at the miracle of her restored home.

"Words cannot express the joy that fills my heart for the gift these young people have given me," said Nancy on the last Sabbath of camp meeting. "I never knew such love existed in the hearts of our youth like I've witnessed here. I'll never forget what you have done for me, and I pray that God will bless each of you in a wonderful way!"