The group's visit to Utah is largely due to the efforts of Sean Patrick, who lives in Salt Lake City and is a youth pastor at Holladay Baptist Church. Patrick had worked with World Changers for several years and as he drove around Salt Lake City, he noticed lots of homes that could benefit from the group's services, he said. He contacted city authorities, who were eager to welcome the volunteers.

Several months ago, notices went out on fliers and utility bills encouraging those in need of help with their homes to fill out an application, said Lisa Park, who works with housing and development for South Salt Lake. Nearly 60 applications were turned in and 27 were selected, based on financial need and the likelihood that the volunteers could complete the project safely and on time. In addition to roofing and siding, the volunteers did a lot of painting and installed several windows and wheelchair ramps.

The World Changers organization works closely with the cities it serves, Phillips said. Funded by grants and donations, South Salt Lake and Salt Lake City contributed all the necessary building materials for the projects. The volunteers brought their own tools and equipment.

Martinez's South Salt Lake house had faded, cracked wooden siding and its roof was failing before the volunteers arrived. He looked forward to its completion Wednesday.

"It's going to look like a new house," he said. "I'm going to have to get some bigger numbers on it. I might pass it by when I come home because I won't recognize it."

For the young volunteers who donated the work, serving people like Martinez is a sacred duty.

"We want to serve God, and if we can't go directly to him, we have to help the people he loves," Meeks said.

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E-mail: dfelix@desnews.com