A doll ministry that began in 2010 at Taylors First Baptist Church has resulted so far in the crafting and distribution of more than 5,000 dolls.
A few of the dollmakers from Taylors First Baptist Church.A small group of women from Taylors First Baptist started the ministry after meeting with Susan Bishop, from Berea First Baptist Church, who originated the doll pattern. The dolls have been shipped or hand-delivered by volunteers and missionaries to points all over the world, including Africa, Brazil, China, Central America, Haiti, Prague, Mexico, Spain and Canada. Also, the dolls have been used in local ministries and in projects in nearby states.
Last year, in order to fit the dolls into shoe boxes, the women downsized the pattern, and more than 1,200 dolls were created for Operation Christmas Child boxes, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse.
“Those who work with the doll ministry are excited about where our little dolls end up and how many will come to know our Lord Jesus Christ through a little handmade doll,” said Patricia Phillips. “This year, we have received word that 30 people received Christ after servants from our area took the dolls and helped to rebuild in the Mississippi Delta region.”
The Taylors dollmakers, who meet weekly, range in age from 6 to 97. Phillips said prayers are offered at every stage of the dollmaking process, from the purchasing of materials, drawing and cutting the patterns, drawing the faces, sewing and stuffing the dolls, and attaching the hair and the “salvation beads,” which are used by missionaries to tell children the story of Jesus.