Bullock-Centennial Assoc. ministers to Hispanic children, families

In 2012, Team Kids reached about 10 families and 23 children. Now the outreach ministry to Hispanic families that Earl Hinson leads at Eastside Baptist Church, Union Springs, is reaching 36 families and about 100 children.

Every Wednesday, Hinson makes three to four trips in the church’s 15-passenger van to pick up around 60 children. Once at Eastside Baptist the children get to play, have a snack and learn about the Bible.

Although Hinson is the director of Team Kids, he describes the ministry as a “community effort.” While Eastside is the regular base of operations for the ministry, it also is sponsored by Bullock-Centennial Baptist Association and receives assistance from other churches, such as First Baptist Church, Montgomery.

For Christmas 2014, for example, First, Montgomery, bought and delivered presents and food for the Hispanic families. Held in the gym of Conecuh Springs Christian School in Union Springs, this outreach was especially effective because it brought in the children’s parents.

“The adults speak very little English, so it’s hard to get them involved sometimes,” Hinson said. “I use the kids as translators a lot.”

Now that summer is in full swing, Hinson and other volunteers are taking children to summer reading programs at libraries and to parks and pools in addition to the Wednesday night services at Eastside.

Hinson said that although the growth of Team Kids is great, the ministry is continuing to seek ways to do more for God by bringing entire families to Him.