First Baptist Middlesboro - First Baptist Spartanburg Connection - Ky Missions

Here is a test. Read this list and tell me what they have in common: Arjay Baptist; Bethel Baptist; East End Park/East Cumberland Ave Baptist Church; First Christian-Pineville; Jenson Missionary; Newtown Baptist; Pine Grove Baptist; Chenoa Church; Wasioto Baptist; Bethlehem Baptist Church of Dorton Branch; Now your first inclination might be to say they are all Baptist, but that not correct. A matter of fact, one of the places there is not church, it is just a park. Baptist is out! What can it be? What is it that each of these locations share in common? Bell County has experienced this week the invasion of ‘White Vans’. If you have seen what looks like several vans traveling down the highway or in your community picking up kids but not sure what is happening or going on, you might not be alone. If your favorite hamburger joint or hotdog stand seemed to be overrun with teenagers everywhere, the likely hood is that you witnessed the Student Ministry of First Baptist Spartanburg in action. The connection with each of the locations I mentioned is that this week teenagers, college students and adults have been conducting Vacation Bible Schools, Basketball Camps, and community outreach events throughout Bell County. This tradition began in 1969, and here is the history of this experience we have each summer at the end of June. In 1955 the First Baptist Church of Middlesboro, called as their pastor, Dr. Alastair Walker. He fell in love with the mountains and the people of Southeastern Kentucky. Dr. Walker was only in Middlesboro-Bell County for a short time but the impact this area made on him continues still today. After leaving First Baptist Middlesboro, Dr. Walker in 1962 became the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Spartanburg, S.C. While serving as their pastor, he spoke about the people he served in the mountains, “how precious they are and how people who would go and give could make such a difference”. Dr. Walker’s passion was to see people experience the love and power of Jesus Christ through a personal relationship. From this grow a trip to Kentucky in 1969 by a small handful of people who came to conduct a Vacation Bible School for churches that might not otherwise have a summer Bible School. Today, the little trip is known as Kentucky Missions and it has continued to build a connection with Kentucky and more especially Bell County. This week teenagers, college students and adults have volunteered their time to make a difference by loving on people and sharing that Jesus Christ loves everyone, and not only that, but that Jesus also has a wonderful plan for all our lives. Kentucky Mission is a project that ministers to churches throughout Southeastern Kentucky. Churches in Bell, Harlan, Knox and Whitley Counties will result in over 5,000 children, teens, college students, young and old adults experience this week of singing, preaching, testimonies, games, skits and fun like never before. When you’ve been coming to the same place for over 44 years you might think it would get old, but that is not the case at all. A matter of fact the relationships that are built from this week continue to grow year after year. Seth Buckley, the Minister of Students has often shared the story of a little boy who was 8 years old being invited to attend a Vacation Bible School at Crocket in Fields, Kentucky. This little fella loaded up in station wagon and off he went. He learned how to sing songs like “Jesus in the morning, Jesus in the noon time, Jesus when the sun goes down”. He made his first craft, played all the games at VBS and most importantly was introduced to a guy named Jesus Christ. Some might never imagine what would happen or what can happen because someone shares and another listens. Who can imagine what God will do with a life that volunteers and follows His call. We may never know all the answers but this we can know for sure. Because the people of First Baptist Middlesboro called Dr. Alastair Walker as their pastor the lives of thousands have been touched. Thousands have volunteered each year to come to Kentucky and their training process is a big commitment of time, preparation and study. Self-Sacrifice is always a great place to start to go and make a real difference. For those of us here in Bell County thousands have been touched, changed and discovered a plan for our lives all because of this one week. Until then