The teamwork of an Alabama/Arkansas Baptist missions group is taking a North Dakota congregation to new ministry heights.
Thirteen Alabama Baptists from Happy Home Baptist Church, Henagar, teamed up with nine members of First Baptist Church of Batesville, Ark., in the construction of a new worship facility for Capital Heights Church of Bismark, N.D.
The June 24–28 joint ministry effort was an opportunity for fellow Baptists to “serve the Lord in harmony,” said Batesville member Charles McClain Jr.
Matt Kilgore, pastor of Happy Home, said the experience motivated and excited the members from his church, which averages 60 to 80 in attendance.
Excited for missions
“It was the first missions experience for several folks in our church,” Kilgore said. “Everyone is still excited about it. It has gotten people motivated. They see they can do something.”
During the weeklong project, the team spent its days putting up drywall and Sheetrock and installing plumbing in the church’s new baptistry. Other volunteer groups have completed prior construction. Each evening, the group joined church members in leading Vacation Bible School at the congregation’s current site, reaching local children.
Capital Heights pastor Steve Dunn said the missions team, as well as other volunteer groups, provided needed encouragement for Dakota Baptists. Noting that many Baptists in the Dakotas are new believers and unfamiliar with Southern Baptist missions and ministries, Dunn said, “The missions teams were such a witness to our people who are often stunned to discover that team members give up vacations to take part in missions work. When missions teams come to the Dakotas and model Jesus, our people are lifted up,” Dunn said.
The new church facility will be home to the 70-member congregation, one of only three Baptist churches in the Bismark metropolitan area of 70,000 residents. Of these, only 20 percent claim to attend church regularly.
Commenting on the many unchurched and unsaved in his community and throughout the Dakotas, Dunn said the ministry efforts of volunteer groups and others are making a difference for Christ. “God is moving through Southern Baptists here, reaching people through different ministries,” he said. “There are open opportunities, … you just have to work hard at it.”
Several in the Alabama group reported they were honored to be a part of the Dakota ministry effort. Others said they wouldn’t soon forget their trip.
Happy Home member JoAnn Ingram said, “We not only had a part in building a church, but hopefully helped reach non-Christians for Christ.”
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