On any given summer, church youth groups, Sunday School classes and mission volunteers give up countless hours and days of time to serve on mission trips abroad and in North America. This summer churches from across South Carolina descended on the low country in an effort to concentrate on the many needs closer to home.
The Judea Project pairs Baptist Associations and churches from across South Carolina to meet the ministry needs in local communities. For four weeks this summer, the Screven Association provided mission opportunities in St. George, Harleyville, Summerville and other areas. In just the second year of the Judea Project, nearly 350 people participated.
“Judea Project was created as a way to help churches in South Carolina partner together to reach communities,” said Tim Rice, mobilization strategist for the SC Baptist Convention.
This year, outreach efforts included sports camps, multi-housing ministry, block parties, nursing home ministry and ministry to youth in a girls group home. Churches from Greer, Laurens, Irmo, Darlington, Taylors, Aiken and Fort Mill participated in the Judea Project.
Rice says that South Carolina churches often have a hard time finding mission opportunities in the state. The Judea Project, as part of a larger Acts 1:8 strategy, connects churches with mission needs
Knightsville Baptist Church in Summerville hosted three weeks of free sports camps in their community. Summerville is listed as the fastest growing area of the state and a surge of housing developments have provided many ministry opportunities for the Association and church. Each week of camp averaged sixty local children in attendance.
Youth from Taylors First Baptist led week-three participants in basketball drills, water games, trust-walk activities and team building. Groups of volunteers and children dotted an open field next to the church.
“This was such an answer to prayer,” said Brenda Jackson, Screven Association Church and Community Ministry Director, surveying the camp.
Each day, participants could hear the plan of salvation using sports and character development analogies. Over 130 people ranging in age from six to ninety-four accepted Christ during the Judea Project.
The Screven Association is hoping to continue next summer the foundation established this summer by mission volunteers and local churches.
For more information on the Judea Project, contact Tim Rice in the SC Baptist Convention’s Mission Mobilization group at (800) 723-7242 ext. 5624.
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Judea Project coordinators would like to thank the churches who gave of their time to serve this summer:
First Baptist Church Greer
Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church, Laurens
Marion Baptist Association
Riverland Hills Baptist Church, Irmo
Black Creek Baptist Church, Darlington
Taylors First Baptist Church
Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Walhalla
Fort Mill Baptist Church (Victory Sports Camp)
Shiloh Baptist Church, Aiken
Screven Baptist Church, Georgetown
