By Message Staff
PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – The Acteens at First Baptist Church in Pineville were moved by the growing number of needs in their community arising from the lockdown due to the novel coronavirus; and, overcoming the obstacle of social distancing formulated and implemented a creative plan to share Christ’s love with 250 local residents.
The group of 16 seventh to twelfth grade girls made and mailed cards to church staff, Sunday school leaders and homebound single and senior adults, and they also crafted uplifting signs that were placed on the windows of each of the 100 residents of the Lexington House Care Center in Alexandria.
Adrienne Martin, leader of the FBCP Acteens group, said her girls have lived out the mission of this ministry.
“I’m so proud of the girls for their willingness to bring God’s message of hope and love during this difficult time,” Martin told the Baptist Message.
Jess Archer, children/youth missions strategist for Louisiana Baptists, said she is encouraged by Acteens in the state who are serving their community.
“Being that we are living in unprecedented times through self-quarantine, Acteens have stepped up to the plate to reach others in Jesus’s name,” Archer said. “I’m delighted to hear how Acteens are loving their neighbors just like the Scriptures point out.”
At the First Baptist Church in Minden, the five Acteen leaders have used an Instragram account to offer ministry ideas, and the 15 members have shared Christ’s love with their neighbors. Leader Cindy Walker said the girls have helped their moms to make face masks and to bake goods for neighbors.
What they are doing now is just continuing the active ministry they were part of before the stay-at-home order in the state, Walker said. They had been making art projects and holiday crafts with a group home for disabled adults near the church; visiting with nursing home residents; preparing items for use by mission teams; and, sitting for children of women housed at a local Teen/Adult challenge facility while the moms attended worship service.
“I’m very proud of our girls and the way they are always interested in sharing Christ’s love in various ways in our community,” Walker said. “We look forward to the time that we can once again minister in our community in specific ways as a group.”
