Hyde Park Takes Texas to Infinity
High-fiving with one hand and holding a melted grape snow cone in the other, 40 children ranging from three to 16-years old, ended their afternoon of Vacation Bible School to the tune, “You’re my brother, you’re my friend…”
In July 2011, a team of 10 from Hyde Park Baptist Church, Austin, Texas, led by children’s minister Brandy Caffey, hosted a Texas-themed Vacation Bible School from 5:30-8:30 each evening at the Marble Hall Apartments in Baltimore, Maryland, as a partnership with Infinity Church.
The first night, five children came out for rag tag, nachos, Bible story, crafts, music and missions, but in the following days, God brought a crowd of children and parents each night to hear the Gospel of Christ.
“We were devoted to the children – playing games, sharing meals and talking about God, in hopes they would get a glimpse of how much God loves them, which is something they may not always receive at home,” Jamie Ray said. “It reminded each of us that there are people all around us who are hurting and need Christ, whether in Baltimore or Austin.”
In addition to VBS, the team also supported Infinity Church through their children’s ministry on Sunday morning along with an outreach at a local laundromat, distribution quarters and detergent.
The week ended with a hamburger cookout, a raffle for parents and some serious rounds of Minute to Win It, but most importantly, a number of children spoke with a counselor about receiving Jesus as their Savior.
“I wasn't going to be able to fix their situation overnight,” high school senior Madie Leon said. “I couldn't take them home with me, but I could leave them with a relationship with Jesus Christ, something that could actually make a difference in their life.”
“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Galations 5:6
“We were devoted to the children – playing games, sharing meals and talking about God, in hopes they would get a glimpse of how much God loves them, which is something they may not always receive at home,” Jamie Ray said. “It reminded each of us that there are people all around us who are hurting and need Christ, whether in Baltimore or Austin.”
The week ended with a hamburger cookout, a raffle for parents and some serious rounds of Minute to Win It, but most importantly, a number of children spoke with a counselor about receiving Jesus as their Savior.
“I wasn't going to be able to fix their situation overnight,” high school senior Madie Leon said. “I couldn't take them home with me, but I could leave them with a relationship with Jesus Christ, something that could actually make a difference in their life.”
“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Galations 5:6