Recently I spent a few days in the Smokies. While there, my sister and I visited a couple of Christmas shops. There was Christmas music playing and we saw all types of decorations and gifts. My favorite decoration is the nativity, and they had some neat ones. I sang along with the Christmas carols and, for a few minutes, found myself in the Christmas spirit, even in June.
With bright, sunny skies, and a current temperature of 90⁰, it’s hard to think about Christmas, but someone reminded me on Facebook a few weeks ago that Christmas was only six months away. My reply was, “Is your Christmas shopping half done?”
Actually I (and my church) have begun Christmas shopping. We are shopping now to fill 50 Christmas backpacks for children in Kentucky and it is so much fun. There is an excitement in the air as the whole congregation comes together to provide Christmas gifts for children who are less fortunate.
Many churches across Kentucky are getting on board as well. The KBC Missions Mobilization Team has been preparing for the Christmas Backpack Initiative for a few months now and applications requesting backpacks are coming in from ministries across the state.
Kentucky Baptist churches are partnering together to reach a goal of 10,000 backpacks to fill these requests. While we will receive requests for far more than that, we are thankful for partnering states that also bring backpacks to help meet the needs.
Statistics show that one in four of Kentucky’s children live in poverty. So, for each of these children, a backpack from Kentucky Baptists may be all they will get for Christmas! Would you join with churches across the state and commit to fill one, five, fifty, or perhaps a hundred or more, backpacks? It is not too early to get started. Remember, Christmas is only five months away now.
Instructions for filling the backpacks can be found at www.kybaptist.org/backpacks. Once there, you can download a promotional bulletin insert and poster. Also, check out our new “Christmas Story” leaflet. And, don’t forget to register to your backpacks.
This year the North American Mission Board is offering churches up to 72 free backpacks which can be ordered and used for ministry. Additional ones can be purchased for only $3.00 each. To take advantage of this offer, go to www.sendrelief/backpacks and order yours today.
Let’s join together and exceed the goal of 10,000 backpacks from Kentucky Baptist churches! Many of them will be distributed directly to children living in poverty in Kentucky, while others will go to needy children in our partner SEND City, Cincinnati.
Thank you for helping a child this Christmas. To learn more, contact the Missions Mobilization Team at 502-489-3403 or email [email protected].
“Let’s not neglect to do good and share what we have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16
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