DETROIT, MI – "This is the best cooperative effort we have every received from sister churches, probably since the time we were planted 56 years ago." That’s how Pastor Eli Garza describes the joint effort of the First Spanish Baptist Church of Detroit (FSBC), the Baptist State Convention of Michigan (BSCM), a number of Michigan Southern Baptist Churches, and the North American Mission Board (NAMB). Garza says, “In total we were able to serve 25 persons from our community and congregation. Ten of them were not evangelical believers.”
“We are grateful for the gift contributions provided by several other BSCM churches. Personal hygiene kits were given to our guests provided by Temple of Faith (Detroit), First Baptist of Dewitt and Narrow Path Church of Eastpointe. Elizabeth Wallace of First Baptist of Dewitt donated needed medical equipment for the mobile clinic. Children’s coloring books were provided by NAMB-Send North America. Lakes Bible Church (Walled Lake) contributed children’s soccer uniforms and books to give away. Snacks and carnations for our patients were donated by Michigan Baptist African-American Fellowship, and lunch for the Disaster Relief volunteers was served by the Greater Detroit Baptist Association. First Spanish Baptist Church was blessed by the many churches, associations and the BSCM coming together to make this outreach event a success.”
First Spanish Baptist Church also held Kids’ Bible Clubs the same week at 5 member homes. Lakes Bible Church sent 5 volunteer teams to lead. One club alone hosted 43 children and neighbors. The attendance grew each day to a total of 106 children at the five sites. in 2012 FSBC held a Bible Club in our church building, but there were only 20 in attendance.
Pastor Garza concludes by saying, “This was an exhausting and challenging week for FSBC, but worth the hard work in order to reach out to our community in ways that we have not ever done before.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eli Garza is the pastor of First Spanish Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan.