October 30, 2000
Volunteers needed to minister among Winter Texans
___WESLACO--Baptist leaders in the Rio Grande Valley have requested help for a coming flood--of people.
___Retired Baptist pastors and committed laypeople are needed to provide ministry for the "Winter Texans" who begin filling the Valley every fall, reported Rick Hagar, director ofmissions for Rio Grande Valley Baptist Association.
___"Each year in the fall, upwards of 300,000 people from all over the United States and Canada flood into the Rio Grande Valley," explained Jack Allen, RV park ministries coordinator. "They settle into more than 525 recreational vehicle parks from South Padre Island to Falcon State Park, with the greatest concentration in the lower Valley, around Brownsville, San Benito, Harlingen, Weslaco and Mission."
___The RV parks range in size from 1,500 to three spaces.
___Interdenominational Sunday worship services in the parks will attract from 10 to 1,500 camper participants during the peak time, February, he said, noting many campers also participate in mission projects on both sides of the border.
___"During the official season from Nov. 1 until Easter, park ministers gather once monthly to encourage, inspire, pray and share with each other," Allen said. "A common statement heard from them is, 'Some residents do not go to church at home, but they come while they are in the Valley.' That can be translated to mean that many people are hearing the good news of Jesus Christ for the first time perhaps. Many are being saved in these parks.
___"'The field is white unto harvest, but the workers are few,'" he added, quoting Jesus' call to share the gospel. "This is a segment of our society that sometimes is ignored, but God is bringing them to our doorstep."
___Hagar and Allen have asked for volunteers to provide ministry in the parks this fall and winter. To volunteer or request more information, contact Allen at carojaca516@aol.com, (903) 799-7954, or Hagar at RGValley1@aol.com, (956) 968-3161.
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