Kids lead the way at Shiloh Baptist in this year’s Christmas Backpacks Mission ministry
When the Christmas backpacks were filled and ready for shipping, they were placed in Shiloh’s portable baptistery so that the entire congregation could pray over them and for the children who will receive them.
MT. JULIET — Shiloh Baptist Church launched its annual Christmas Backpacks for Children and Teens campaign with its Way Walkers children’s ministry leading the way.
The backpack effort runs alongside the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions, to which the congregation gave nearly $7,000 this year.
“Balancing both initiatives during the same season highlights Shiloh’s commitment to missions both financially and through hands-on ministry,” said pastor Stephen Young.
As part of their fall mission action project, the children prepared 12 backpacks filled with clothing, toys, hygiene items, non-perishable snacks, and other fun extras.
Each backpack included a personal letter from the child who packed it, an age-appropriate Bible, and a gospel presentation through the Christmas story.
Children pray over the Christmas backpacks that will be given out this year. Each backpack includes a personal letter from the child who packed it, an age-appropriate Bible, and a gospel presentation through the Christmas story.
Once the backpacks were zipped up and identified with ribbons, the children held them in their laps, hugged each one, and prayed for the child who would receive the Christmas gift.
This set the tone for the rest of the congregation, which joined the following weekend to continue the effort in a church-wide workday. Shiloh members packed an additional 51 backpacks.
The completed backpacks were placed in Shiloh’s portable baptistry so that the entire congregation could pray over them and for the children w
ho will receive them.
“We purchased a galvanized stock tank last year so that we could be more mobile with our baptisms. In many ways, it has become symbolic of hands-on ministry, so it seemed like a perfect receptacle for the backpacks,” Young added.
The baptistry now bears more than 20 signatures from those who have trusted Christ and been baptized, a visible reminder of gospel transformation and the mission that drives Shiloh Baptist Church.
The Missions Mobilization Center, where Shiloh currently meets for worship, also serves as one of the statewide collection and distribution centers for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board’s Christmas Backpack ministry. Thousands of backpacks have been collected, including those prepared by Shiloh members.
They have been sorted and are ready to be sent to churches and ministries that distribute them to children and teens in need.
Partnering closely with the TBMB, Shiloh is prayerfully preparing to begin construction on its own building while remaining active in community and associational work.
This fall, the church hosted the Wilson County Baptist Association annual meeting and will lead the Mt. Juliet Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in the town square next month.
The children pose with the backpacks.
This is Shiloh’s second consecutive year contributing significantly to the statewide Christmas Backpack initiative. The church was featured in the Baptist and Reflector in 2024 for meeting 1% of the statewide goal, a milestone it continues to pursue with gratitude and joy.
The Christmas Backpacks for Children and Teens ministry provides gifts, Bibles, and gospel materials to children and teens in need across Tennessee, connecting compassion with evangelism through local churches. For more information about the Christmas Backpack initiative, visit tnbaptist.org/backpacks. B&R
