Winchester, Ky., is a small town outside Lexington with picturesque, restored buildings along historic streets. But behind the attractive facade lie neighborhoods filled with abject poverty and the blight of addiction. It was there one Alabama Baptist congregation cut its missions-trip teeth.
Hoping to make a difference, 66 members of Edgil Grove Baptist Church, Jasper, traveled to Winchester this summer. The team — approximately one-third of the Walker Baptist Association church’s congregation — did construction work on a new family development center that will provide more efficient services for needy families.
“This was our maiden voyage — our first missions trip,” Pastor David Miller said. “It was hot, dirty, hard work. We slept on the floor in sleeping bags for six days. We came back really tired. But even while we were sweating, the members were asking where we were going on the next trip.”
Team members built interior walls, installed plumbing, ran electrical wiring and hung and finished Sheetrock in the 92,000-square-foot warehouse. The building was once a sewing factory but now provides space for a housing program, a day care, a tutoring program, job training and some community meeting rooms.
Initially Miller hoped for 15–20 volunteers to finish the project. But after so many people signed up to serve, the group was also able to conduct evangelistic outreach and assist a local church with Vacation Bible School in the evenings.
Since the trip, Miller said the hearts of Edgil Grove Baptist members have changed.
“I think our people have a broader vision for what our mission is now,” he said. “As a pastor, I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome of this effort.” (TAB)
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