July 29, 2002
Two associations battle for the cans
to raise support for children's home
___By Jonathan Echols
___South Texas Children's Home
___ROSENBERG--Churches in two Texas Baptist associations have adopted a can-do attitude as they compete to help children in need.
___Colorado Baptist Association and San Felipe Baptist Association both are served by the same director of missions, Harold Sellers. Together, the two associations are known as Coastal Plains Baptist Area.
___This year, Sellers challenged the churches in both associations to donate 50,000 canned goods in the annual Kans for Kidsdrive benefiting South Texas Children's Home. Sellers set his goal based on this being the 50th anniversary of the children's home, a ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
Mathis Sellers Hairston Watkins
___Sellers, who has served in the region for 36 years, knows area churches have strongly supported the children's home and the canned goods drive.
___"When they adopted the challenge for 50,000 cans, it was a lot of fun," Sellers said. "Guys were being really competitive about it."
___That competitiveness spawned another challenge, however. The executive board of Colorado Association threw down the gauntlet for San Felipe Association. The two boards agreed that whichever side brings in the most cans will receive a catered lunch at their next board meeting. The winners also will enjoy homemade pies personally prepared by the men of the other association.
___"It'll be fun," said Mac Mathis, pastor of First Baptist Church in Wharton, which is in Colorado Association. "There's such a good relationship between these two associations. This builds the camaraderie."
___"Our people are committed," Mathis said. "It gives them an opportunity to do missions. It gives them a sense just knowing they are doing something for the kids. We feel like it's a great cause, and we feel like we can beat them."
___Wayne Watkins, minister of education at First Baptist Church of Rosenberg, agrees with half of Mathis' assessment. Supporting South Texas Children's Home is a great cause, but the victor will be San Felipe Association, he said.
___"The integrity of the home and its ministry make it a valuable cause," Watkins said. "People like to give to tangible, visible things. I'm going to ask each adult department to bring in a certain number. If we let people have a goal as a class, then they feel some ownership in it."
___Much of the credit for the strong support of the children's home in Coastal Plains Area goes to Sellers, explained Bob Hairston, development consultant for the agency.
___"Harold has instilled a vision in the churches," Hairston said. "It's scriptural. If it wasn't for South Texas Children's Home and the support of the churches, these kids who are getting second chances would not be."
___Churches statewide are invited to participate in the Kans for Kids drive. For more information, including a needs list and promotional materials, call (361) 375-2101.
Get printer-friendly version of this story
Send this story to a friend
News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!/ Signup for FirstLook
