Baptist youths mix fun and faith in local missions

It’s called a local mission trip and 34 Baptist youths were on it last week.

The 34 spent their nights at First Baptist in Atlanta and days out in the community.

The annual summer service event is something “the kids have been waiting on all year,” explains Rex Henderson, family and student pastor.

The youth even pay to attend, he said, adding, “But if there’s a money issue, the church finds a way for everyone to attend.” Here’s the schedule.

■ Rise up early in the morning with breakfast prepared by the student pastor and two summer interns who are college youth back for the summer and former local mission week attendees themselves.

■ Morning Bible study and worship each evening usually with a special speaker or music.

■ Noontime lunch by the church and evening dinner prepared by the youth themselves who have been divided into four teams. Each prepares the evening meal once for all.

“It’s a blast,” Henderson describes the work of the youthful cooks.

■ For the day, it’s mission work in the community.

“Really, it’s hard to imagine how much the youth like this week,” Henderson said. “They wait for it all year. It’s a high point.

“The truth is the more they love Jesus, the more they want to serve. The more they serve, the more they love Jesus.” Henderson’s and the other adults’ rewards? “We get to hang out with the youth. I can tell you that’s a privilege and a pleasure.”

The accompanying photos show the 34 missionaries at Mission Atlanta, spending a long while with the residents and having a hamburger lunch.

One thing the reader will note about the photos. There’s not a cellphone in sight.

‘When we’re on the mission work, we leave the cellphones back at church,” Henderson said.

Staff photos by Neil Abeles ■ ABOVE: Where youths are, there will be music. They are, from left, Cyrah Jones Erskine Anavitarte, Blaine Hammonds, Luke Anthony, Cooper McCord and Allie Mitter. ■ LEFT: Don’t challenge these youth. They’re good at bag toss. The four are, at left, Aubrey Anthony and Jackson Warren, and, at right, Cameron Carney and Hannah Wicks. ■ BELOW LEFT: Brooklyn Howard laughs during a card game with, from left, Brodie Childress, Collin Fincher and Sydney Lightfoot. ■ BELOW RIGHT: Chloe Sherman shuffles the dominoes during a game with, from left, are Gage Whatley, Taylor Carver and Drake Black.

■ FAR LEFT: Tristan Bishop does a little posing for the camera. From left are Tristen Cothran, Blake Lummus and Garon Dupree.

■ LEFT: Here’s the scene Tuesday inside Mission Atlanta last week as the 34 teens on a mission from Atlanta First Baptist Church are having a hamburger lunch with residents and others.