By Sharon Mager, BaptistLIFE Correspondent
ELLICOTT CITY, —Bethel Baptist Church sent over 20 volunteers, youth and adults to do mission work at Bruce Outreach Center (BOC) July 26 to August 2.
Working alongside a seven-person team from Thelma Baptist Church from Wetumpka, Alabama, the teams did a variety of construction and evangelistic ministry.
A mission team from Bethel Baptist Church, Ellicott City, ministered at Bruce Outreach Center doing construction and evangelism outreach.
“They did a ton of work for us,” Steffan Carr, pastor of Bruce Outreach Center said. “We are very thankful for their support.”
The teams painted the entire cafeteria floor, continued an ongoing overhaul of the plumbing in the building including providing functioning bathrooms and showers. They installed an additional hot water heater and built 8 bunk beds. They also overhauled the clothing ministry rooms and equipped another room for a future Christian Women’s Job Corps office.
In addition to the construction, the team prayer walked, advertised for BOC’s community basketball camp and provided a mini-VBS block party each day of the week in a local park.
Brian Hogan, minister of youth and children said the church has been working with BOC since late 2012. Hogan said the group became aware of the missions opportunities at a reBoot retreat at Skycroft Conference Center in Middletown, and felt drawn to participate in the ministry.
“It captured our heart,” Hogan said. The church began sending teams regularly, some whole church trips and others with just the youth.
Hogan said the mission trips have had a great impact on missions participation.
“It’s just a few hours away, it’s easy to get to. We had a huge explosion of people who wouldn’t have thought about doing missions that are now excited about going. Those who can’t, help by providing funding.”
“Our people are excited about missions and want to do more,” Hogan said.