By Anna Swindle
The words “free” and “sale” seem oxymoronic, but for two Alabama Baptist churches, free yard sales were a large part of their fall community outreaches.
For First Baptist Church, Rogersville, the idea originated with the situation of a family in the congregation.
Beth Grisham’s husband worked in the car industry, but he’d lost his job and was doing yard work for a living.
Grisham, the leader of the Colbert-Lauderdale Baptist Association church’s Women’s Enrichment Ministry, said it made her realize how much need there was everywhere.
“I thought there had to be people who had things other people could use sitting around their house,” she said. “A weed eater someone could use for a lawn business, a car to get to work, things like that.”
And sure enough, there were.
On Oct. 10, First, Rogersville, hosted what it called a “yard give,” opening its doors to 73 local families.
Each family had to register before it was allowed to “shop” in the church’s old sanctuary.
Participants’ names were placed in a hat, and then as their names were drawn, they were able to go through the assortment of goods and choose things they could use in their homes.
Everything from clothing to gas grills to TVs were available, and even a pickup truck was donated.
“People said it was exactly what they needed,” Grisham said. “We had a lady who needed a refrigerator, and one was sitting on the front porch of the church.”
Pastor Scott Moore heard words of appreciation, too.
“These folks were telling us how thankful they were for us, but our church members were more ministered to than the people that came in,” he said.
More than 100 church members participated in the event either through donating items or volunteering during it.
Faith Baptist Church, Fairhope, in Baldwin Baptist Association hosted its own version of a free yard sale Sept. 26. It was the church’s 10th anniversary, and members wanted to do something special to commemorate the occasion.
“We wanted to have one signature event that everybody would contribute to, and so we had a free yard sale, something that would be an encouragement to people in our community,” said Pastor Tim Patrick.
“We knew we couldn’t solve all their problems, but we could do something to help.”
Patrick estimated that 300 to 400 people showed up to the free yard sale, a testament to the genuine need in the community.
The event began at 8 a.m. and by 10 that morning, everything was gone.
“We could have sold the stuff and made $6,000 or so, but I think people were excited about giving,” Patrick said.
“We gave everyone a card as they left, reminding them that God gave us Jesus, and that was a free gift as well. All we have to do is accept it.”
Both First, Rogersville, and Faith Baptist plan to replicate the free yard sale event in 2010, maybe as early as the spring.
“I just think about what the Bible says, ‘Freely you have received, now freely give,’” Grisham said.
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