While thousands may travel to Orlando’s Walt Disney World for recreation or relaxation, one local resident is using the popular tourist destination as a platform to spread the Good News.

Morgan Academy graduate Cate Gilmer, 24, and the Orlando-based Christian organization Campus Crusade, desire to provide an environment where American and international college students can come together and express a love for Christ.

“As a ministry, Campus Crusade is a worldwide ministry in 160 countries … one branch is Campus Ministry Disney World,” Gilmer said. “I work in a campus ministry with college students who come to Walt Disney World for an internship … 5,000 American students and 3,000 international students. We’re there to provide a ministry for college students and be a spiritual resource for these students. A lot of people have grown in their walk with Christ.”

Currently known as “Cru,” Gilmer said she believes Disney World can be used for more than secular activity.

“We believe individuals will be leaders and will eventually go back to their home country and be a change agent for their country,” Gilmer said. “We feel Disney World is a strategic place to catapult a missionary type ministry.”

For the past three years, Gilmer and her friends have organized a yard sale locally to help raise money for the ministry. Last year, Gilmer said, the group raised more than $5,000 by donations and sales. More than 30 local residents also volunteered and donated such things as furniture, electronics, clothing and household items, Gilmer said.

“We do it every year to support ministry with Campus Crusade,” Gilmer said. “A bunch of families and friends throughout Selma have donated things to this ministry collectively to support the ministry.”

First spearheaded by Pam and Oscar Bostick as a way to draw continued ministry support locally, Gilmer said what initially started as a one-time thing, has become much bigger.

“They inspired a lot of people to join in,” Gilmer said. “It’s fun to see everyone come together. It’s not a small yard sale (but) it’s a mega yard sale.

This year’s yard sale, Gilmer said, is set for Saturday, Oct. 8 from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. at 123 Hooper Drive. Coming together for one common goal, she said, is what the church is all about.

“I really hope people would really gain a vision for what God is doing around the world,” Gilmer said. “God is really moving in this ministry, even at Walt Disney World and Orlando. More than anything, I pray people will come and experience Christ when they come and look … I hope Christ will be glorified through this.”