Posted: 2/06/04
West Texas children's choir warms
up to idea of making a difference
By John Hall
Texas Baptist Communications
VALERA–The weather may be cold, but some West Texans are staying warm because of a children's choir that set out to make a difference in its community.
Valera Baptist Church children's choir members recently collected several bags of shirts, pants and jackets for a nearby benevolence ministry.
The project offered children a way they could touch their community in a tangible way, said Reta Beck, the pastor's wife and one of the group's leaders.
And the children became excited about the effort. They reminded their parents about it for weeks leading up to the date when the clothes were to be donated. They went through their clothes looking for anything that did not fit or they no longer wore.
The project helped the children become more aware of the needs around them, according to Maricela Morris, who has 6-year-old and 8-year-old boys in the choir.
“They realized there's more to life than what we do every day,” she said. “They know people get sick. They know people need clothes.”
Collecting clothes was how the church participated in M.A.D. (Making a Difference) For Christ, a Baptist General Convention of Texas effort to involve families and groups in community ministries.
Church members were excited when they learned about the choir's ministry during a worship service, said Larry Beck, pastor of Valera Baptist Church.
“It was a great opportunity to do hands-on ministry,” he said. “They did a great job with it.”
Choir members were encouraged by this effort, Reta Beck added. They are looking forward to future service projects.
“I think it made them feel really good,” she said.
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.