Arkansas
The annual Dixie Jackson Arkansas Missions Offering helps Arkansas Baptist churches offer free medical and dental services. According to the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, there are 12–14 clinics held across the state each year. All but one clinic was canceled in 2020 because of COVID-19. The first three this year were canceled but the next five clinics cared for 161 patients, and 15 people trusted Jesus.
Florida
COVID-19 made the young CrossLife East Church in Oviedo realize hosting services on school properties wasn’t realistic. “The dream I had for the east campus when we started over seven years ago was to purchase property, build a building and continue to grow into a thriving, gospel-centered, evangelistic church. I see that dream being fulfilled,” Dwayne E. Mercer, senior pastor, said. The Catholic Diocese of Orlando worked with the church to sell 40 acres of land across from where it is currently meeting.
Mississippi
Northcrest Baptist Church in Meridian decided to Love Out Loud nine years ago. This year’s outreach to its community involved more than 800 people and 30 churches. “Northcrest’s role is to equip people for this,” said Wade Phillips, executive pastor. Numerous acts of service included a sports camp, car washes, prayer, helping schools and random acts of kindness. “This is about the Kingdom,” said Dan Lanier, pastor of Northcrest.
South Carolina
South Carolina Baptist Convention Disaster Relief responded to Tropical Storm Elsa, which struck in Camden on July 8. The disaster relief team responded to a house July 9 with an assessment, and a team from Kershaw Baptist Association arrived July 10. “We were able to remove the tree and tarp the roof that day. It was done just in time, as there was a downpour from a thunderstorm that very night,” said Alvin Tans, unit leader for the chainsaw team.
Tennessee
Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center in Newport and Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center opened again this summer but were finding filling seasonal staff roles to be problematic. An article in the Baptist and Reflector indicated that volunteers stepped up to fill many roles, including food service, cutting grass and maintenance. “I was amazed and pleased with the response we have had,” said Kevin Perrigan, manager at Carson Springs.
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