Judea Project pairs churches with local communities
Heeding command in Acts 1:8, local churches and Baptist associations spent time this summer concentrating on meeting needs in local communities.
The Judea Project paired associations with churches to serve locally in much needed areas. The Lexington and Rock Hill associations participated in this year’s emphasis.
“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.
Outreach projects ranged from backyard Bible clubs to sports camps to Hispanic ministries. Each association coordinated opportunities and matched volunteers and churches with community needs.
“Churches have the hardest time finding projects in South Carolina,” says Rice. “This was a way to help connect churches with mission needs.”
In Rock Hill, Catawba Baptist and Welsh Neck Baptist participated in a family camp for children and mothers enrolled in a mentoring program through Christian Women’s Job Corp.
“One mother said it was like coming to a family reunion each night. The children had a good time and soaked up the teaching,” said Debbie Wieland, coordinator for Christian Women’s Job Corp.
Bart Plaxco of Bethel Baptist Church in York, and members of the church’s youth group worked with Hispanic children during the week.
“We have a large number of Hispanic people moving to our area, so this was a great opportunity to reach out to share Christ,” Plaxco said. “We were able to develop relationships with the kids of the community.”
David Lee, director of lay mobilization for the Lexington Baptist Association, reported over 90 volunteers participating in the Judea Project working in areas such as home repair, collecting can goods and Vacation Bible School among others.
Rice hopes to continue the Judea project next year and encourages associations to host a week-long community missions emphasis.
Lee sees the project as beneficial to all churches and associations.
“[The Judea Project] opened the eyes of our church members to know their own community and to establish the ministries of the local churches within their own communities,” he said.
