July 22, 2002
Students turn fun and games into gospel lessons at Houston mission
___By John Hall
___Staff Writer
___HOUSTON--Missionary work is not all fun and games. But a lot of it is.
___Whether teaching English to adults or maneuvering with kids draped across their shoulders, Baptist student summer missionaries Meredith Patterson and Brett Hoyle relish their work at Mission Greenspoint, a Baptist outreach in Houston.
___Patterson, a junior at Stephen F.Austin State University, uses Christian materials to teach English to Hispanic immigrants.
BRETT HOYLE leads an activity for children at Mission Greenspoint in Houston, where he is a student missionary this summer.
___The experience has confirmed God's call for her vocation, she said. "It's been really neat. They let me teach class. That's really fun. It's really encouraged me that that's what I'm supposed to do."
___About 70 students learn to read and speak English at the center, largely by reading Bible stories and conversing with other members of their class. Patterson was amazed at the power of ESL classes, which she described as one of the "little ways God works."
___"Obviously we want to teach them English, but it is to be an open door to help build relationships to share Christ," she said.
___While Patterson taught English, Hoyle, a senior at West Texas A&M, played games and made crafts with the students' children, connecting with them in an effort to spread the gospel. Though working with youth is hectic to some, Hoyle finds it a nice break from his father's farm.
___"It feels more like a vacation," he said. "We farm, so at home we really get after it."
___This trip provided a stark contrast to Hoyle's West Texas upbringing. A small-town man in the big city, Hoyle reported "people in Houston are what land is to West Texas." Though he found big-city dwellers to be less friendly than small-town folk, he acknowledged God loves them both: "God can use everyone."
___Hoyle's relaxed approach with children translates well to adults as well. He leads Wednesday night prayer services, helping to meet physical and spiritual needs.
___"I'm just hanging out and being the person God wants me to be," Hoyle said. "I enjoy hanging out with a purpose."
___The students helped the mission re-establish ties in the community. The 2001 flood devastated the organization, drowning its facilities. Ministers relocated the mission temporarily to Greenspoint Mall, where the mall owner has given them a break on their rent. In order to comply with mall regulations, however, the mission ended its food pantry and clothes distribution. Other ministries also were washed out by the flood.
___While the mission has transitioned to a new location, it also is transitioning to minister to a new demographic. The neighborhood around the mission has changed to predominantly Hispanic with some Anglos, whereas it was primarily African-American, said Jim Louthan, executive director.
___The missionaries' work has not only helped the community, but encouraged the mission's ministers as well.
___"To us (the missionaries' presence) might have a special meaning because everything that could go wrong has," Louthan said, adding that he's been pleased "to know God is still supporting the work."
___"The Baptist General Convention of Texas has always been behind us, and to know it is still behind us is real important. God has continued to provide us with good friends and encouragement."
___Patterson and Hoyle are among hundreds of student missionaries serving around the world this summer with support from the BGCT.
___
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