Sand Mountain Baptists help build Missouri church

Working in a town that’s not their own and sweating in the outdoor heat to build a church that’s not their own may not be how many people choose to spend their summer vacation. 
   
But members of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Bryant, and Henagar Baptist Church, both in Sand Mountain Baptist Association, did just that. 
   
Both Alabama churches participated in a Constructors for Christ project in Missouri this summer, working on a new facility for a church that’s original building was constructed in 1856. 
   
The Georgia-based Constructors for Christ is more than 30 years old and has done work in a handful of states. 
   
Volunteers contribute to a five-weeklong project each summer — typically one week at a time — to build a church. 
   
This year, 270 people from 45 churches in 16 states came together to frame the structure for a 14,000-square-foot church in Middletown, Mo.
   
“I get to watch the excitement that takes place in the community,” said Gerald Sampson, a member of Ebenezer Baptist. “This is my eighth year with this ministry. 
   
“I went on my first (volunteer missions) trip with the intention of staying one week but stayed all five weeks,” Sampson said. “I’ve been all five weeks every year now but one.”
   
Now retired, Sampson has the opportunity to invest in the construction project for an extended amount of time. “I have skills in different areas that are needed, and staying five weeks helps to maintain continuity,” he said.
   
Volunteers from both churches accomplished a great deal of physical labor, according to David Patty, director of missions for Sand Mountain Association.
   
“I’ve heard nothing but good reports,” he said. “They enjoyed worshiping with the church.”
   
David Hairston, pastor of Henagar Baptist, had previously participated in a Constructors for Christ project in Tennessee.
   
“They (members of the church in Middletown) have a lot of faith because in a town with a population of 199, they built this church to seat more than 300 people,” he said.
   
One of eight members from Henagar Baptist to work on the project, Hairston said the trip was a blessing for both the people of Middletown and himself. 
   
“These folks could have never done this by themselves,” he said.
   
A new team of volunteers will work on the Middletown Baptist Church building, which is scheduled to be finished by the end of the year.