Evan HamptonA group of students and adults from the student ministry of First Baptist Church, North Augusta, brought happiness to children at eight community schools this past year.
“Operation Mercy,” as it’s termed, delivers shoes and socks, as well as bags filled with hats, gloves, toys and candy, to children in need in area elementary schools. The First Baptist students don’t simply bring money for the items, but instead actually place the shoes and socks on each child. Operation Mercy was a dream of the church’s student minister, Mark Owens.
“Every year we do this right before Christmas,” said Owens. “It began by the need seen in children who have shoes on that are too small or too old.”
Operation Mercy was begun four years ago by the youth ministry when Owens saw this need in the community and the students raised funds from peers to provide shoes and socks to approximately 60 children in two schools. The next year, they expanded the program to three schools and 120 children. In 2004, Operation Mercy grew to support six schools. The youth raised funds from individuals and local business sponsors. That year, more than 446 children were provided shoes, socks and treat bags. This past year, the ministry expanded again to cover eight schools and more than 400 children.
“Operation Mercy wouldn’t be what it is today if it wasn’t for Ginger Dickert,” said Owens. “She does a great job organizing everything and getting the gift bags ready for the children. Operation Mercy has as much impact on our church family as it does the children we help. Our church family really got behind us and saw the need. Sunday school classes are buying items, not just in December, but year-round.”
“It’s been one of the most effective outreach ministries that we’ve ever undertaken – impacting the lives of children to be sure, but also making a difference in families and the lives of faculty and school administration,” said Gary Redding, senior pastor.
“It changes who you are as a person when you see the smiles on their faces,” said Owens. “Our goal this year is to hit every school in Aiken County, and if we don’t do it this year, then it’ll be next year.”
Hampton, a senior majoring in print media at North Greenville University, is working as an intern with The Baptist Courier through July. Hampton is news editor of The Skyliner, the student newspaper at North Greenville. He is from Lynchburg, Va.