A group of University of Arkansas Baptist Collegiate Ministry (UA BCM) students recently served in the Marion and West Memphis area for Christmas in the Delta.
Christmas in the Delta, which was Dec. 13-17, is an Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) initiative designed to mobilize college students to engage in missions, partner with local churches, and serve the communities in the Delta.
“As part of the trip, we served in labor work such as demolition, painting, and church projects. We also get the opportunity to preach, share testimonials, and evangelize with different churches such as Shell Lake Baptist, Earle Baptist, Grace West Memphis, and New Beginnings,” said Josh Richards, UA BCM student leader and Christmas in the Delta team leader.
Richards said a few of the main highlights of the trip included VBS with Shell Lake and Earle Baptist Church, preaching at both, spending time with the youth at First Baptist Church in Marion, and serving with the recovery ministry and “hearing the incredible stories of Gods work in their lives.”
Along with Richards, the UA BCM team was comprised of six other students.
“We were challenged and got to see the Lord work through us and through the church. We pray for youth and VBS kids as they have received a Gospel presentation. Pray for the churches as they continue to grow and be equipped to serve and be a light for the communities there,” Richards said.
In a Dec. 18 Facebook post, Clint Haynes, associational missionary for Tri-County Baptist Association and pastor at Colt Baptist Church in Forrest City, touted the work – which also included loading, unloading, and sorting more than 500 backpacks filled with Christmas goodies for underprivileged children and more – of the UA BCM students.
“These guys are rockstars and we can’t wait to see how Jesus uses them for years to come!” Haynes said in the post. “Big thanks to ABSC, UA BCM, and everyone else that worked so hard to make this happen! We are proud to be Arkansas Baptists!”
Initial plans for Christmas in the Delta were to begin this year with a smaller group of students as a pilot, then continue to host this event annually. ABSC Missions Assistant Team Leader Clint Ritchie said the goal is to assist churches that have a vision to reach their communities and work with ministry partners, specifically compassion ministries, that are long-term fruit producers.
Mississippi started Christmas in the Delta last year among their collegiate ministries. Ritchie saw their success and thought Arkansas could do the same.
“Working with this group of young adults reminded me that God is doing a great work in this generation and is raising up a generation of leaders. These students willingly served in out-of-the-way places in the Delta and blessed the partner churches with their graciousness and devotion to the task,” Ritchie said.
On Sunday morning, Dec. 15, the team divided into three groups and visited three different churches. Two students preached, while the others shared their testimonies and/or led in worship. Ritchie said the host pastors especially spoke highly of the quality of the preaching.
On Saturday, Dec. 14, the group held two one-day Backyard Bible Clubs, then on Monday, Dec. 16, served with a recovery ministry and helped host a First Responder Appreciation Lunch. Additionally, they hung door hangers in neighborhoods promoting local Christmas services.
“We plan for this to become an annual ministry in various places in the Delta, building upon the foundation laid by this small but strong group,” Ritchie said.
Christmas in the Delta is just one of many missions opportunities Arkansas BCM students are involved with this winter.
