Arts and crafts mean more than fun and games at San Angelo church

SAN ANGELO—Nobody ever accused First Baptist Church in San Angelo of being a single-interest congregation—unless that interest is seeing people come to know Christ as Savior.

Bringing the congregation’s varied interests into a single-minded focus of reaching others was the idea of June Doerr, who thought of using hobbies as an evangelism tool almost 20 years ago.

The idea didn’t gel then, but last fall, she presented the idea to Associate Pastor Ronnie Laughlin, who affirmed it and arranged for space for the Reaching Others Through Arts and Crafts ministry.

“The whole idea was to fellowship and do whatever it is that you do, and through that reach some people we might not reach otherwise,” she said.

Classes have included calligraphy; oil, pastel and watercolor painting; jewelry making; card making; woodworking; knitting and crocheting; and games such as 42, mahjong and bridge.

“It’s really nice,” Doerr said. “We have a lot of new faces, and people move around from one area of interest to another and learning different things. We’ve even had one homeschool student who has this time as a part of his curriculum,” she said.

“The reason we call it ROTAC is because we left ‘Baptist’ out of it so that we could reach people throughout the community,” Doerr explained.

“We have several people who come from other churches and at least three who don’t go to church anywhere.”

Before each class begins, the group gathers for a prayer circle—an important time for many participants, Doerr said.

Jesse Kidd learns oil painting techniques at the Reaching Others Through Arts and Crafts ministry of First Baptist Church in San Angelo.

In addition to learning and refining various skills, the group also has been used for ministry projects. Several in the group are making place cards for First Baptist’s upcoming Annie Armstrong Easter Offering meal. In the past, the group has made bookmarks to be taken to homebound members of the church.

Jesse Kidd, a 30-year missionary to Brazil who has lived at Baptist Memorials Ministries in San Angelo 19 years, took up oil painting in December. Teacher Jo Anne Chandler, says he is learning the techniques quickly.

He, too, is pleased with his progress as an artist, but “I really just enjoy doing this,” Kidd said. “And we have such a good time together.”

Chandler agreed the painting was secondary. “It’s a real good fellowship time, and we really enjoy praying for each other. I love to paint, but mainly it’s the fellowship. It’s a relaxing time, and I really enjoy being with Christian friends.”

Although she is not a member of First Baptist, Lola Newman also has found a place to restore her soul.

“I love the camaraderie and the social aspect, but also the peacefulness. And I’m learning to do something I’ve always wanted to do,” she said.

Several—like Ovida Jackson in the jewelry-making group—have lost spouses and find companionship in the group.

“I truly enjoy the fellowship, but I also just like doing something with my hands. I lost my husband a year and a half ago, and this gets me out of the house,” she said.

The ministry can be done anywhere, Doerr noted. The group has no budget—everyone has their own supplies. All that was needed was a place to meet.

And for some, it might be where they meet Jesus.