About two dozen community missionaries and their spouses from Baptist associations across the state assisted Midtown Fellowship, a one-year-old church plant in Columbia, with community service projects that led up to a block party March 30.
David Lee, Lexington Association, carries food into a ministry center.The event was part of a two-day, hands-on training lab for associational missions personnel appointed through the North American Mission Board, according to Tim Rice, South Carolina Baptist Convention, missions mobilization group. The missionaries also dialogued with leaders of Mission Columbia, an interdenominational organization that links congregations in ministry projects.
In addition to promoting Midtown’s community outreach event, “Rock the Block,” the missionaries also assisted in a kitchen renovation for an elderly resident, worked in a pantry for a ministry house that feeds about 60 kids on Wednesdays, and conducted prayerwalks in neighborhoods surrounding Suburban and Rosewood Baptist churches.
Todd Wood, right, Waccamaw Association, and Tom Capps, Greer Association, remove cabinets from a kitchen.Midtown Fellowship’s members are active in ministry, Rice noted. A missions team of about 50 recently served in New York City, and the church plans to send volunteers to Mexico this summer. The church also sponsors “Go Camp,” a summer camp that focuses on serving others.
“This was an example of what a church should be doing – loving kids and working with the community,” said Rice.