Hot sauce on a watermelon? That’s how Earl Hinson serves it — at least to the Hispanic children his church reaches out to, because that’s the way they like to eat it.
Hinson, a deacon and children’s church director at Eastside Baptist Church, Union Springs, met a Hispanic family in spring 2012 and invited them to Sunday School. They attended and introduced Hinson to another family.
Introduction after introduction led Hinson to start Team Kids, a Wednesday night outreach to children of about 10 Hispanic families in the Union Springs area.
Every Wednesday, Hinson picks up the children in the church’s new 15-passenger van and takes them to play on the playground at the church, learn about Jesus and eat a good dinner. A team of eight couples volunteer to help lead the studies and activities and help serve the meals.
‘We always share the gospel’
“We always share the gospel with [the children],” said Hinson, who also picks them up for Sunday morning services. He said there are other families that the church hopes to reach in the future.
The Team Kids ministry recently took a group of 23 children to First Baptist Church, Montgomery, to enjoy their Living Christmas Tree production.
“The children were in awe and just thrilled,” Hinson said.
A group of men from First, Montgomery, also built several sets of bunk beds to donate to two families with a total of 14 children. The families live in one home but only had three mattresses on the floor to share. Hinson made the church aware of the need and First, Montgomery, went right to work on the beds. First, Montgomery, also is teaming up with the Bullock-Centennial Baptist Association church to provide Christmas presents for each of the Team Kids children.
Hinson said he feels God called him and his wife, Patsy, to this ministry.
“[God] showed me the love of these kids and their desire to be with other people. They need someone to pick them up and hold them and hug them. … All you can do is say, ‘God, thank You,’” Hinson said.
Although no child has accepted Christ yet, Hinson is determined to show each one the love of God through Team Kids.
“Just pray for our kids,” he requested. “Pray that they accept Jesus.”
He said the ministry is in need of sheets, blankets, pillowcases and other household items to donate to families in need.
For more information, contact Hinson at 334-738-3309.
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