First Baptist Roswell: Beyond Our Walls

First Baptist Roswell Offers Day of Service to Community

By Cyndi Braun

If you look within the walls of First Baptist Roswell, youll see a church that resembles other historic churches in the area. Step inside the church on a Sunday morning, and youll see Senior Pastor Dr. Kevin Head leading the congregation in a traditional worship with a contemporary message.

But if you look beyond those walls, youll see just what makes this church different. Besides attending worship services in the church, First Baptist members are committed to serving others in the community and beyond. Missions are important because its our calling and purpose as a church. Jesus commissioned us to go and share Gods grace and love with other people, said Dr. Head.

Church members participate in service projects throughout the year. Many also serve those in need in Haiti, Kenya and Appalachia through church-organized mission trips. I see what happens when people use their gifts to serve others, said Dr. Head. Their faith has a sense of purpose. Their lives have a bigger sense of meaning. Serving others gives us a renewed sense of meaning, faith and purpose in life.

Serving others is so important that Dr. Head decided to take the churchs service-oriented focus one step further by creating a mission day to benefit the community of Roswell.

Beyond Our Walls to Help the Community
Our church is involved in a lot of missions. Kenya is a medical mission; Haiti is a youth mission. Appalachia is a trip where we rebuild homes and do construction work, said Dr. Head. A lot of our folks cant go on those trips. They cant take time to travel, or they dont have medical or construction skills.

Recognizing the importance of missions and the needs of individuals within the community of Roswell itself, a church-steering committee began planning a special mission day that benefits local people and charities. All projects will begin and end on Saturday, February 11th, making the service projects appealing to those with busy schedules. Jeff Jennings, head of the steering committee said:

There are a number of wonderful charities right here in Roswell that could use our help. Weve got members who are already engaged with those nonprofits. We got input from members on the specific types of projects they would like to do then approached the charities prior to finalizing our list of service activities.

Since projects vary in type, Dr. Head believes everyone in the church will be able to help in some way, no matter what their age, skills or background might be. All of our members will have the chance to use whatever giftedness God has given them to serve our community, said Dr. Head.

After input from the membership, the steering committee chose the name Beyond Our Walls to identify the special day of service and rally members and guests to give back to the Roswell community each year. The name Beyond Our Walls indicates that the calling and purpose of a church extends beyond the walls of the building itself. By reaching beyond its walls, First Baptist Roswell will be able to help many in need in the community. Our mission field is not just in Appalachia or Haiti, but in our own backyard, said Jennings. Beyond Our Walls is a great opportunity for people who cant go on other mission trips. We are creating opportunities locally for people to serve and give back to the community.

Jennings said that they envision 300 people spread out all over Roswell doing good things for the community. Some projects will be off-site, while others will be at the church.

Service opportunities will include:
The City of Roswell
The Drake House: An organization that provides short-term crisis housing, education and empowerment programs for homeless mothers and their children
Foster Care Support Foundation: An organization that provides free clothing, infant equipment and developmental toys to thousands of children     in foster and relative care
The North Fulton Child Development Association: A day care center for low-income working families
Other charities around Roswell
Special ways to show appreciation to police officers and firefighters

Prior to February 11th, members will sign up for specific activities. Friends, neighbors and anyone interested in helping are welcome to sign up as well. Service activity coordinators will make sure each project is properly staffed with volunteers. Dr. Head said:

I am very excited about Beyond Our Walls. I think that part of the churchs responsibility is to give people opportunities to use the gifts God has given them in meaningful ways. I think people really want to serve. I think people really want to use their gifts. But they dont always know how to do that, so we are planning this day to give our members the opportunity to use their gifts.

First Baptist Roswell
Kenya, Haiti, Appalachia Our church has led some amazing mission efforts. Now, were introducing a new annual mission event that will allow everyone at First Baptist Roswell to make a positive impact right here in our own backyard. Its a great day of service. Regardless of your talents, age or skills, you can help. Whether you use a pen or a paintbrush, share a story or just a smile, prepare a meal or simply deliver it, we can work together to make a tremendous impact in our hometown.

First Baptist Roswell
710 Mimosa Boulevard
Roswell, Georgia 30075
770-587-6980
FBRoswell.org