Being the Church
The church is more than a building. It’s the people ministering to those in their community. It’s providing love and support for others. The Children’s Home has been blessed for more than a century to be a part of a much larger faith community. The Free Will Baptist denomination birthed the Children’s Home from a need for a home for children without family to care for them. Although times have changed, the need to provide stability, love and care still exists. In the many years that have followed, that love and support of our young people hasn’t waned.
Today the church’s presence on our campus continues to bless our youth and takes many different forms. Our Free Will Baptist Churches frequently join us for Sunday evening services in Memorial Chapel. They gather with our young people and participate by pastors sharing messages from God’s Word, guiding worship with their church praise teams or sharing a special song or youth directed activity. Many times, these churches will bring a meal to share with our young people before service; meals of pizza, hamburgers, or even grilled chicken and homemade mac and cheese are often favorites.
Youth groups spend Saturday afternoons with our young people playing games in the gym. Basketball and volleyball are long-time crowd favorites, with corn hole and can jam following close behind. Our youth and visiting groups bond over points and fouls—all the while forming friendships. Sometimes churches host our youth for events at their churches. Canvas painting parties and bracelet making are also activities groups have done with our young people.
One such church pouring into our young people is Tee’s Chapel FWB Church in Smithfield. The men’s group from Tee’s Chapel planned a fishing trip for our campus boys in late summer. Everyone spent the morning fishing—some for the very first time. They learned fishing tips and tricks from the men’s group and had a great time. Each of our boys received his own fishing pole and tackle box, and they are already asking when they can go fishing again.
We are thankful to all the churches who pour into our young people. An afternoon playing volleyball in the gym or painting canvases might seem small to some, but to our young people you are showing them the love of Christ through your actions and teaching them how to love one another. When you join us for worship service, you are showing them how to worship and how to give freely of your time and resources. You are demonstrating the impact Christ has on your life and the impact He can have on theirs. Thank you for making our young people a part of your life, your church, and your faith journey.
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