Toy ministry shows Christ’s love to families in need

DENTON—Families in Denton served by Elves Shelves and Blessing Tree know the source of the toys their children enjoy—not Santa's workshop, but the love of Christ demonstrated by members of First Baptist Church.

The Christmas outreach project began as a ministry to those within the church, Pastor Jeff Williams said.

"This all began when our children's minister at the time, Christy Butler, had the idea of ministering to some of the families of the church who were having a difficult time," Williams said.

Eight families received gifts for their children that year, and the scope was small enough that the presents all fit in a 10-foot by 10-foot closet.

Before long, someone mentioned the number of people in the community who could be helped by a similar gift of love. So, the next year, about 300 families received assistance.

Last year, 1,200 children received presents, and this year, they numbered 1,800.

Brenda Eckel, who coordinates the effort now, said registration starts before Thanksgiving, and the church suggests ideas about what types of presents to bring.

"The first Sunday in November, we may ask everyone to bring presents for boys and girls ages 9 to 12. The next week, it may be girls 13 to 16, and we go on like that until the last Sunday, when we ask for whatever we seem to be running short of," Eckels explained.

Sign up for our weekly edition and get all our headlines in your inbox on Thursdays Email Address Judy VanDuyne volunteers with the Elves Shelves ministry at First Baptist Church in Denton. (PHOTOS/George Henson)

Brenda Eckel serves as coordinator of the Elves Shelves ministry at First Baptist Church in Denton. (PHOTO/George Henson)

The ministry has become a passion for many in the congregation, Associate Pastor Brad Cockrell said, and they give cash throughout the year. This year, members donated about $25,000 for the ministry.

That money enables shoppers on the Elves Shelves ministry team to shop all year and buy toys when bargains are found, he noted.

In addition to the toys, Eckel said, each family also receives a Bible and hears the Christmas story.

This year, First Baptist Church is partnering with a Hispanic church in a follow-up effort.

"About 95 percent of the families we serve are Hispanic, and we just were not seeing them come back. But since most are Hispanic, all our registration materials and other information is in Spanish and English. One of the questions on the registration form this year is, 'Would you like someone to visit your home?' I have been amazed at the number who have checked 'yes,'" Eckel said.

"An outreach team from the Hispanic church is going to make a personal visit to their homes and in their native language. I'm really excited about that," she said.

In addition to the registration forms, families also provide proof each child listed in the home actually lives their, and other checks are made to verify need, such as enrollment in the school free-lunch program.

Jane Naugher, volunteer coordinator for the Elves Shelves team, said it would be hard to quantify the number of volunteers who participate to make the program a success, because so many people help throughout the year. About 350 helped this year, beginning with the setup in the gym on Wednesday preceding the event and ending when the last family left on Saturday after receiving their gifts.

Volunteers included 25 who gathered for a mass bicycle assembly team. By working together, Williams noted, the group assembled more than 100 bikes in about an hour.

This year, the families also received pictures of the children with Santa.

"If you go to the mall, it costs $30 to $40. The families have really appreciated that opportunity to have a photo," Eckel said.

Patsy Caldwell removes old ribbons and replaces them with new as part of the decorations for the Elves Shelves ministry at First Baptist Church in Denton. (PHOTOS/George Henson)

While the Elves Shelves ministry began as an effort to help families within the church, the number of families from within the congregation had lessened even though the need was greater.

This year, First Baptist tried a different approach for ministering to the church families in need. No one other that Cockrell saw their registration forms, and they could even register online if they desired. Their children's desires for toys then were placed on a tree in the foyer, and individuals took care of those needs and wants.

Increased anonymity has doubled the number of families participating, Cockrell noted. It also has become one of the favorite means of ministry for the congregation.

Once Cockrell receives the gifts for the family, individual appointments are set for them to pick up the gifts.

"The Blessing Tree has been great," Eckel said. "We called it the Blessing Tree because we get an opportunity to bless these families, but we also get the blessing as we give," she said.

In addition, the church provides each family from the congregation a $25 gift card to help pay for the groceries for the holiday.

Both ministries are an example of a congregation living out what it means to show Christ's love rather than just giving it lip service, Williams said.

"I am so proud of our people and of what they've done," he said. "It started as a staff idea, but our people have taken it over. We talk about the need to love God and love people, share Christ and make disciples. That's exactly what they're doing, and I couldn't be prouder."