First Baptist Spartanburg - Continuing the Tri-County Connection - Ky Missions

If you were to survey the Indian Creek Baptist Church in Gray, the 1st Christian Church-Disciples of Christ in Corbin, Cedar Gap Baptist Church, Chapel Grove Baptist Church, Apple Grove Missionary, Dewitt Baptist, Northside Baptist, Roadside and Walker Baptist as to what is one thing each year they look forward to, I am rather confident they are going to say “White Vans” rolling into town. The Tri-County Area this week has been invaded by South Carolina, or at least it can feel that way and it is an awesome invasion too! Setting up operations and headquarters at Union College in Barbourville, these area churches are experiencing what First Baptist Spartanburg Youth Ministries calls Kentucky Missions. If your favorite hamburger joint or hotdog stand seemed to be overrun with teenagers everywhere, the likely hood is that you witnessed some of the over 250 volunteers taking a break in between morning or evening Vacation Bible Schools, Basketball Camp, a community outreach event, a building project as just a few of the events they sponsor or hose in our area churches. For those of us who are locals, this is a highlight of summer as eternal differences are made because people are willing to go in His name. This tradition began in 1969, and here is the history of this experience we have each summer at the end of June. It all started down in the Crater City of Middlesboro In 1955. The First Baptist Church of Middlesboro, called Dr. Alastair Walker to serve as their pastor. You should note that the First Baptist Church in Corbin, Barbourville, Pineville and Middlesboro all have connections as they were established by men of vision to impact our communities. Dr. Walker was only in Bell County for a short time but the impact the 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 trip to Kentucky in 1969 by a small handful of people the ministry is thriving and impacting thousands now over the years. The Kentucky Missions project reaches into Bell, Harlan, Knox and Whitley Counties resulting 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. The students that come bring with them a real energy and excitement about sharing about Jesus, meeting needs, teaching someone a new skill or just sitting and talking about life or basketball. I know some might wonder why at Vacation Bible School would you be talking about basketball, well here’s an answer. It’s fun! It is a connection point with people. Some might never imagine what would happen from expressing an interest in others so it is safe to say “only God knows”, and He does. For some it might be hard to imagine what God will do with a heart that says yes to Him, deciding to ask God is there something He wants to do with their life? Just imagine what happens with one person volunteers to be a friend to someone else all in His name. We may never know all the answers but this we can know for sure because people are willing to hear and respond the difference made might very well be forever untold here, but we will know it all in the by and by. Thousands of lives have been touched by those that have volunteered over the years. Some of the adults traveling with this group first came to Kentucky as teenagers. They have witnessed generations of impact, and that is quite awesome! For those of us here in the Tri-County, thousands have been touched, changed and discovered a plan for our lives all because of this one week. Thanks First Baptist Spartanburg! Until then