Heflin Baptist works to become ‘missions church’

Several months ago, members of Heflin Baptist Church in Cleburne Association decided they wanted to do more than support missionaries — they wanted to be closer to the work missionaries do. Church members followed through with their commitment this summer, sending 31 volunteers to missions fields around the country, Honduras and Venezuela and getting many others involved in missions activities.
   
“Our church decided to be an on-missions church, not just contributing prayer and money, but rolling up our sleeves, and so far, our folks have responded well and hope to do more,” said Pastor Phillip Morris.
   
The summer missions work began in May when a 10-member team went to Mindenmines, Mo., to help build a new Baptist church. The group started with a concrete slab on Memorial Day, and by the end of the week, the building was ready for shingles. In addition to the building project, the group conducted Bible studies for children during the day and revival services each night.  
   
“That area is pretty much a wide-open missions field,” said volunteer Jane Sanders. “Most of the children who came to the Bible study were not churched and were eager to learn.”
   
According to Morris, young people have been an important part of Heflin Baptist Church’s missions emphasis, and the church youth have been among the most active volunteers. The church sent young people to World Changers in Nashville and Collegiate World Changers in Charleston, S.C., and college student Kendra Morris served on the World Changers support staff in Arkansas and Louisiana. Stephanie Morris, a recent high school graduate, went to Honduras with a medical missions team from Parker Memorial Baptist Church, Anniston.
   
Another recent high school graduate, Erica Jones, went to Venezuela with her grandparents, former Cleburne Association Director of Missions Dan Small and his wife, Billie. The church’s younger children got involved by collecting school supplies and personal hygiene items for children in the North Delta Baptist Association in Clarksdale, Miss.
   
“We got a letter from the missionary in Clarksdale who said the children there love to get pencils with erasers,” she said. “Our church’s missions emphasis has made our young people realize what they have to be thankful for.”
   
Experiences like these have helped church members of all ages grow spiritually, said Morris. At a recent church service, volunteers shared stories of how their lives and the lives of others have been touched through missions.
   
“These missions projects have helped our members see that there are many things you can do to help people and to share the gospel with them in tangible ways,” Morris said.