Alabama WMU event gives children hands-on missions experiences

Here, There and Everywhere was the theme for the day as nearly 1,000 children gathered at the 2007 Children’s Missions Explosion Feb. 24, sponsored by Alabama Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU).

The theme and day’s activities were centered on helping children understand Acts 1:8, according to Alabama WMU children’s support team member Babs Christy.

Children’s Missions Explosion events were held simultaneously at Hillcrest Baptist Church, Enterprise, in Coffee Baptist Association; First Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, in Tuscaloosa Baptist Association; and Southside Baptist Church in Etowah Baptist Association.

At each site, children interacted with local, state, North American and international missionaries, reinforcing the Here, There and Everywhere theme.

At each site, children learned about a local or associational ministry and the ministry of Alabama Baptist disaster relief.

At Southside Baptist, children learned about disaster relief firsthand from Glenn Pender, pastor of Happy Home Baptist Church, Leeds, in St. Clair Baptist Association, who serves as a chaplain and crew leader for a trained disaster relief chain saw crew. Pender gave a chain saw demonstration while explaining to children how disaster relief workers share the love of Jesus.

At Southside Baptist, children learned about Alabama Raceway Ministries from Richard Alford, an associate in the office of associational missions and church planting for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. Participants had the opportunity to fill raceway ministry bags with toiletries and other supplies to be distributed to children at the Talladega Superspeedway.

Also at Southside Baptist, Jason and Kelley Hill, former International Mission Board missionaries to Zambia, shared with children about the people of that country and international missions.

At each of the three locations, participants learned about the importance of the Cooperative Program and the offerings that support local, North American and international missions.

“During the 2007 Children’s Missions Explosion, children got an up close view of what Acts 1:8 looks like for each of them right where they are, even at such a young age,” said Candace McIntosh, Alabama WMU executive director.

Children’s Missions Explosion is an annual event of Alabama WMU. (Alabama WMU)