Easter weekend found countless Alabamians hunting Easter eggs, baking Easter goodies and attending sunrise services. But for 269 Baptists from the Birmingham area, feeding and caring for the homeless was also on the weekend’s “to-do” list.
“‘To the least of these’ sums it all up,” said Dr. Gene Watterson, a rheumatologist and member of Liberty Park Baptist Church, Vestavia Hills, in Birmingham Baptist Association (BBA). Watterson was one of 12 medical personnel volunteering during the April 15–16 event.
Sponsored by BBA, the Food for Friends ministry outreach takes place each Easter and Thanksgiving in downtown Birmingham.
The recent Easter event included music, worship and breakfast both mornings, lunch on Saturday and a special sunrise service on Easter morning.
Forty-one churches helped either through volunteer efforts or donations. Six of those churches provided evangelistic teams.
Scott Guffin, pastor of Liberty Park Baptist, headed up the evangelism ministry for the weekend. “We’re sitting down with them one-on-one, talking with them, hearing their stories and trying to find opportunities to share the gospel.”
Eighteen people made decisions during the weekend, said Linda Pair of BBA. Two of those were professions of faith. A total of 1,016 meals were served, 37 received medical screenings and 18 had dental work.
The mobile dental facility was provided by Smiles of Grace.
“We are starting to see repeat patients,” said Dr. Mark Buckner of Alabama Dental Associates in Irondale, noting this is the third time for Smiles of Grace to work the event.
The medical clinic was making its second appearance.
Provided by Birmingham’s Baptist Health Foundation, the medical clinic has two examination rooms, portable examination equipment and supplies to do blood work.
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