By Stacey Tinsley, Special to the Baptist Message
HAUGHTON, La. (LBM) — The ministries performed by First Baptist Church, Haughton, May 2, were more than acts of community service — they were clear reflections of the Gospel lived out in real and tangible ways.
Members of the congregation, joined by volunteers from across the community, stepped beyond the walls of the church and into the streets of Haughton for the church’s annual Serve Day. Their mission was simple yet deeply rooted in Scripture: to serve others as the hands and feet of Christ.
Throughout the day, volunteers spread across neighborhoods picking up roadside trash, clearing debris and assisting residents with large item removal. Organized truck and trailer teams worked diligently, while others served in quieter but equally meaningful ways — walking through neighborhoods in prayer or remaining on campus to intercede on behalf of the community.
For First Baptist Church Haughton Senior Pastor Gevan Spinney, the day reflected a calling that has defined the church for generations.
“We feel a big obligation as the church to Haughton and the community,” Spinney said. “I believe God planted this church here in 1885 to be a lighthouse in this town. Our responsibility is to love people, to serve them and to meet needs in the name of Jesus. We want our community to know we care about them, we love them and we are here to help however we can.”
Year after year, this ministry continues to have a giant impact on the community:
— as part of Serve Day 2024, 128 volunteers filled 30 dumpsters with trash;
— in 2025, 136 volunteers piled 235 bags of roadside refuse into 38 dumpsters, and offered prayers for residents of 467 homes; and
— this year, 95 volunteers filled 31 dumpsters with more than 120 tons of junk and trash.
Still, church leaders emphasized that the true impact was not just about the cleanup numbers.
Back at the church, a hospitality team greeted volunteers returning from the field, offering meals, fellowship and encouragement.
Likewise, amid the activity, a simple but meaningful act captured the heart of the day: Andee Kate Brobst, daughter of the worship pastor, Hunter Brobst, set up a lemonade stand to serve those passing through. While the lemonade was offered freely, donations were accepted to support missions — a small gesture that reflected a spirit of generosity and discipleship in the next generation.
“Serve Day is about more than cleaning up our community,” one volunteer shared. “It’s about showing people the love of Christ in a real and personal way.”
That message echoed the words of Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Throughout Haughton, that light was evident — not only in the work being done, but in the attitudes and hearts behind it.
Residents expressed appreciation for the volunteers, many noting that the effort brought encouragement as much as it did physical improvement. For some, it was a reminder that they were not forgotten. For others, it was a visible expression of hope.
By the end of the day, roadsides were cleared, properties were improved and countless prayers had been lifted. But the lasting impact extended far beyond what could be seen.
In a time when communities often experience division and uncertainty, Serve Day offered a powerful reminder of what can happen when believers unite with a common purpose. It was not about recognition or obligation, but about obedience — answering the call to love one another as Christ has loved us.
As volunteers gathered at the close of the day, one truth remained clear: the church is not merely a building, but a body of believers sent into the world.
And in Haughton, that body moved together with intention — demonstrating that when faith is put into action, it not only transforms communities, but points people to the hope found in Christ.
Stacey Tinsley is a member of FBC Haughton.
