By David Dawson
ddawson@tnbaptist.org
FRANKLIN — Before the smoke from the Independence Day fireworks has even cleared the air, Beth Moore is already looking ahead to Christmas.
Or, more specifically, the Christmas Backpacks ministry, which provides backpacks filled with toys, clothing, hygiene items, food and other items to children in low-income families. It also serves as a means of outreach and evangelism for participating churches.
Moore, compassion ministry specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, has seen the enormous impact that the project has made in the lives of children around the state — and she is optimistic and enthused about this year’s event.
“I believe this year can be our best year yet,” said Moore. “I truly feel that we could see more people than ever respond in faith to the gospel through Christmas Backpacks.”
Tennessee Baptists joined Christmas Backpacks (a nationwide ministry) in 2018. That year, roughly 150 Tennessee churches participated, and provided more than 3,500 backpacks. Those numbers have steadily increased, and the ministry has provided approximately 6,000 backpacks each Christmas in recent years.
Moore and her team have set a goal of 7,000 backpacks for this year: “We are seeing churches partner for the first time to donate backpacks, but we still need many more to join with us to reach our goal.”
Kerri Kite, a member of Central Baptist Church, Watauga, said her church has been involved with Christmas Backpacks for three years, and said the members have rallied behind the project.
“Christmas Backpacks are such a blessing,” Kite said. “Christmas is in no way about gifts, but that is pretty hard to explain to a 5-year-old who knows other kids are getting gifts. With the backpack program, not only are we giving these children material items, but we are also introducing them and their families to the greatest gift in the world. We are showing the families that someone out there cared enough about them to put this bag together and share God’s love with them.”
Donna Roberts, a member at New Haven Baptist Church, Oneida, said her church has been involved with the ministry for three years, and it has blossomed into a large event. After collecting 50 backpacks the first year, the church collected 105 last year, she said.
“Backpacks are a way we can be the hands and feet of Jesus all across our state and in our own community,” Roberts said. “Sharing the Christmas story is a simple but impactful way to bring the love of Christ to the least of these. We need to be reaching out and sharing the gospel. Christmas Backpacks are a wonderful ministry tool.”
In recent years, many churches have implemented new techniques in their approach to the Backpacks ministry. Some of the changes have come about as safety precautions related to the pandemic.
Binghampton Community Church, in Memphis, has developed a system that works a little bit like a drive-thru window. Mary Abram, a member at Binghampton, said the church has employed this technique for the past couple of years, and she noted the church presents the gospel in a unique way.
“We ask the families to turn their car radios to a certain station,” Abram said, “and they hear pastor Shun Abram sharing the gospel on that station.” As the cars make their way through the line, they receive hot chocolate, food, toys and the backpacks.
Abram said the backpacks ministry is an event that unites the church. “This helps get our own members involved in outreach because we do this event on a Sunday after church service,” she said. “This helps bless our less fortunate community members tremendously and opens the door for prayer and gospel conversations with all who attend the event.”
At Central Baptist, Kite noted that Christmas Backpacks started as a WOM missions project but has now become a churchwide event. “We started the first year with 20 backpacks,” she said, “(and) this year we will have at least 40.”
Abram said the Backpacks ministry is a great opportunity to demonstrate the principle of loving your neighbor.
“Parents and children get to experience the love of Christ as our church serves them before Christmas every year,” she said. “This helps our community to know that we are here for them. And events like this opens doors for us to do even more ministry like counseling in our community and helping them walk through life.
“It makes them more receptive to open their doors when we knock to check in on them or when we go out to share the gospel,” Abram said. “These backpacks also carry the Word of God into their homes and to me that makes it all worth it.”
Kite said she hopes more churches across Tennessee will get involved with the ministry. “I encourage each church to start with 10 backpacks,” she said. “They will quickly multiply.”
Roberts agreed, saying: “Don’t be afraid to try this program at your church. Start small, but know that every backpack counts.”
Kite noted that waiting until the Christmas season to start focusing on the project is not advised. “We start in January on the Christmas Backpacks,” she said.
Roberts said there are many ways to get a church “jumpstarted” with its involvement with the ministry. “Get together with your WMU or your Sunday School class or ask your youth group to join in and fill up those backpacks,” she said.
Roberts also offered some tips on the best ways to purchase items for Christmas Backpacks.
“Find out who your clearance shoppers are,” she said. “They will be a tremendous asset to your team. Shop for Christmas themed items in January. Many companies will put items such as coloring books, pencils, and puzzles on clearance, and you can buy them in bulk. Ask your congregation to bring in specific items each month, such as shampoo or socks.”
Roberts added one more very important element that drives the ministry to be successful.
“Above all, pray,” she said. “Pray about each item you place in your backpacks. Pray for the child who will receive the backpack, and pray for each member of their family to receive Christ. TBMB Christmas Backpacks are a simple and easy way to spread the gospel, so jump in with both feet. Let’s reach Tennessee for Jesus.”
Kite said she hopes her own excitement about the project will become contagious. “Backpacks have become a great passion of mine,” she said. “I encourage churches to pray about it, make an effort — and God will make a way.”