Sardis youth lead in associational missions

The youth of Sardis Association now have a new outlet for missions work.
   
Holding their first official meeting Sept. 16, 12 youth and volunteers met with Sardis Director of Missions William Goodson to discuss ways the youth of Sardis could reach out to their communities.
   
“This is the first time in the association that we’ve had something like this,” Goodson said. “(The youth) are going to go out and do missions work.”
   
As the group continues to form and grow, Goodson said they will be involved in both local and associational missions.
   
James Hataway, pastor of New Life Assembly Baptist Church, Kinston, said he and his family are excited about the new group.
   
“Although our association is small, a lot of things are happening and the youth are really getting revved up about them,” he said. “[This group] will be like a flame of fire; it’ll catch on and spread.”
   
Hataway’s youngest son, Jonathan, has had a desire for a group like this for a while.
   
“We want to grow strong in our fellowship and worship,” said Jonathan Hataway, a senior at Kinston High School. “We want to give young people ample opportunity to get involved with what the Lord is doing today.”
   
He said the group plans to meet regularly for Bible studies and fellowship times, such as meals
and movie nights, as well as participating in missions trips and projects.
   
The group has already discussed two such projects. One is handing out water or sodas and tracts to drivers on a local highway.
   
Another project is helping to start a Baptist church for the Hispanic population in Samson.
The idea for the group, which has yet to be named, began to form when Goodson realized the association needed to do something to prepare students for work in missions.
   
“If we don’t get these [youth] ready for tomorrow, we may fall short,” Goodson said. “These [youth] are tomorrow.”
   
Goodson began visiting several different churches in the association, sharing his vision.
   
“We have 50 young people that have expressed interest,” he said. “I’ve also got a couple of young adults out of a couple of churches.”
   
Although youth from several Baptist churches and a young adult couple from New Life Assembly have volunteered to help, Goodson said he wants the group to reach across denominational lines.