The Question

In relation to June 4 post with regard to having a good reputation among outsiders, I think it is important to ask a very difficult question.

If our church were to cease to exist, would our community miss us?

Unfortunately, for many churches, the answer to this question is a resounding "NO." If it weren't for a few hours on Sunday, and perhaps a couple of hours on Wednesday many "outsiders" would fail to see churches doing any kind of ministry that isn't self-promoting or inwardly focused.

FBC Hayden has always wanted to be different. As a result we run a food pantry and clothes closet called God's Storehouse, and our Women on Mission and Young Women on Mission perform a variety of services to our local teachers and community leaders.

But can't we do more? And what if we all worked together?

A few weeks ago local churches in Hayden undertook a monumental task. We decided to embark on a school supply drive to help raise money and school supplies to help needy children in our area. Currently seven churches (FBC Hayden, Crossroads Baptist, Smokerise Baptist, Hayden United Methodist, Smokerise Methodist, Hayden Church of God, and Gethsemene Baptist Church) are working to collect school supplies and funds that will be distributed among the needy families in our community on August 2, five days before the 2008-2009 school year begins.

Hopefully, with God's help, Christians of Hayden will be able to band together in order to put a big dent in a need found in our own community.

How can you get involved?
1) Pray that God will bring the supplies and money. Pray that the students will show up. Pray that the supplies will make it into the hands of the children who really need them. Pray that our community will be impacted because of our efforts to show Christ's love to these children.
2) Give money. If you can't make it to Hayden, or if you aren't the shopping type you can write a check to FBC Hayden School Supply Drive. The funds will be used to purchase needed supplies or distributed to the schools to help defray the cost of shoes, clothing and supplies for children in need
3) Give school supplies. Check out www.fbchayden.com in order to download a list of needed school supplies. Bring the supplies to First Baptist Church of Hayden (5080 State Highway 160) or any of the cooperating churches listed on our web page.

May God be with us as we seek to make a splash in our community. May we increase our reputation with outsiders and may God's name be honored as a result of it.