March 22, 2000

Local missions options empower Duncanville church
___By George Henson
___Staff Writer
___DUNCANVILLE--An emphasis on local missions at First Baptist Church of Duncanville has sparked greater interest in missions elsewhere.
___Each year, the church sets aside the week of Valentine's Day to remind its community of the church's care. Sunday School classes adopt schools, fire stations, the police department, library and city road construction workers and send food and drinks to those places. About 30 places receive the goodie baskets. Some classes send fruit, some cookies, some pies and cakes, some sandwiches and some a little bit of everything.
___"It gives us a church-wide project that everyone can be a part of," said Pastor Keith Brister. "Hundreds make or give the stuff, and dozens make the deliveries. It gives our people a positive image of themselves."
___The endeavor costs the church budget nothing and is a non-threatening way for people to become involved in missions.
___Each year, dozens of thank-you notes come back to the church. Some recipients of the baskets have visited the church.
___The church also sponsors a Church in Action Day every six months. On a Sunday afternoon, members fan out to tackle a number of projects such as feeding the homeless at a shelter, ministering to senior adults at an assisted-living center, sorting clothing at a crisis pregnancy center or prayerwalking at schools.
___"We're trying to develop an outward emphasis, and the only way to be conscious of missions is to give people mission opportunities," Brister explained. "People can't participate in nothing, so you have to give them something. This way they can participate at whatever level they are ready for.
___"We try to be user-friendly. We try to make it where people can participate without adding to their busy schedules. That's why we don't mind cancelling our other Sunday afternoon and evening activities once every six months," he said.
___The result is a changed community and changed church members.
___"Our local missions have changed how people conceive missions," Brister said. "The outward things have grown in scope, and it's also worked its way inward and has enhanced our worship services."
___Among the far-flung projects the church has planned this spring and summer:
___ A dozen women are traveling to South Carolina at the end of April to read to children in the public schools and organize an evangelistic block party.
___ About 60 youth and adults will travel to Rio Bravo, Mexico, in late May to construct a church building, operate eight Vacation Bible Schools, assist in revival services, show the "Jesus" film and sing on the city's plaza.
___ Another group of eight youth and two adults will travel to Los Mochis, Mexico, as part of an International Mission Board World Changers project to finish construction on a camp there in late June.
___ A senior adult Sunday School class last year paid the $600 freight bill for a shipment of computers to an African seminary and this year bought and shipped printers.

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