AUSTIN – Many churches sponsor fun-filled fall festivals with costumes, candy, games and bounce houses. Primera Iglesia Bautista in Austin offered a bit more—a helping hand and word of hope for people going through hard times.
In addition to the typical fall festival activities, the congregation distributed food to about 350 people living in a mobile home park. Church members also shared the gospel with each person, Pastor Carlos Alsina reported.
The outreach, funded by the Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger, embodies the care and evangelism aspects of Texas Hope 2010, Texas Baptists’ endeavor to share the hope of Christ with every person in the state by Easter 2010.
Seven people made professions of faith during the fall festival, and other people were asking questions about Christianity, the pastor said.
“Somehow God has put this place in our hearts, and he is blessing,” Alsina said.
Alsina hopes the outreach is part of a continuing ministry in the mobile home park. The same week as the festival, the congregation held its first home Bible study in the park, ministering to 42 people. Alsina prays it is the first of several that will help reach the area for Christ.
“I would like to see people be touched and changed with the gospel of Christ,” Alsina said. “I want to see home Bible studies right there on different days. The greatest need people have is to find Jesus.”
For more information about Texas Hope 2010, visit www.texashope2010.com.
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