New Song Baptist Church: ” What can we do? “

“What can we do?” This is the question that Tony and Sheila Booth of New Song Baptist Church in

Williford, Arkansas, asked the church’s kids one evening. The group, ranging in age from six years old to

14, had been studying and discussing ways that they could be workers for Christ in their church and

outside of the walls of the church. After watching videos made by other kids around the country

showing how they started their own missions, the children agreed that something as simple as water

might be a good starting place.

Williford is a small community 10 miles from the tourist town of Hardy, Arkansas. By the time school is

turned out for summer, the temperatures are rising and the streets are filling up with visitors and local

citizens looking for antiques and bargains. The Booths helped the children put together a plan to take

chilled bottles of cold water to Hardy and hand them out to anyone who would like one. FREE. No

strings attached. While a few of the kids were skeptical that strangers would take the water, all agreed

to give it a try. The group set a goal of handing out 100 bottles of water. With the support of the church

members, the Hardy City Hall was contacted for permission to distribute the water somewhere along

their main street. Not only was their request granted, but permission was given for the children to set

up their table at the park in the middle of town where the most traffic is available.

On June 20th, the group loaded up the church van with 200 bottles of water, 100 bags filled with

information, and twelve kids ready to share the Gospel. With temperatures already reaching 90 degrees

before noon, it was obvious that God was providing the appropriate weather for the day. Several

children stood on the sidewalk in front of their table and asked passing pedestrians if they would like a

free bottle of water. Others went in groups of three or four with an adult to walk a two block area. The

common question asked was, “What’s the catch?” The group would then explain their mission of simply

sharing the love of Christ with everyone. While a few still said no thank you, most were very open to

taking the bottles and information. As an added ministry tool, labels had been put onto 100 bottles with

references to John 4:13 and John 13:34. The bags contained a letter detailing the children’s mission, a

bookmark, church brochure, and “Do You Know?” pamphlet.

Two hours after arriving in Hardy, not only had the group made their goal of handing out 100 bottles of

water, they had EXCEEDED the goal. 175 bottles of water were handed out and 50 bags of information

were shared. Tony Booth explained, “The kids were given a hands-on project that had a minimal cost. A

bottle of water cost around 10 cents, but the return on that small investment was tremendous. The kids

all came back with stories to share. They all handled the rejection of someone saying no with grace. But

every time someone said yes, it built confidence in them to use their voices. And when people would

actually stop to ask them questions, it was a privilege to hear their responses. The kids were quick to

share what they were out there doing – sharing the same love that Christ had shown to them. It was a

very hot day and people were told to come back as often as they liked. The kids also were allowed to go

into a few shops and ask the workers if they would like a bottle of water. Our community is more aware

of us, and on the flip side, we are more aware of our community. Seeing people read the labels on the

bottles and smile, or seeing someone sitting on a bench reading something out of their bag, overhearing

a young lady say the kids had made her heart happy – those are the things that make you want to go

back out there and do it again. Mission work isn’t glamorous. It’s not a production. It’s the simplicity of

sharing Christ with someone and maybe meeting a basic need at the same time. On this day, water was

the need. These kids finished the day feeling like they had accomplished something for Christ and

through Him. Our goal is to lay the foundation for these kids to spend a lifetime serving others and

spreading the Gospel.”

After returning to the church, the group was treated to grilled hot dogs, watermelon, and mud

volleyball. Lifetime memories were made by the entire church. The children’s group is now brain-

storming their next mission.