Sharing God's Love in Word and Deed
The Appalachian Coalfields Ministry, sponsored by Baptists on Mission, seeks to meet physical and spiritual needs of people living in the Appalachian Area. Working with scores of ministry centers and small churches in five Appalachian states, we help mobilize volunteers and resources to meet needs. One of the greatest ministry needs in this area occurs around Christmastime. BOM is calling on churches statewide to respond to this need through Appalachian Christmas Outreach 2021. Our goal is to collect 18,000 backpacks of items to be distributed to Appalachian children in areas of need in late November and December 2021.
Backpacks be taken to a regional distribution center on Saturday, November 6 (collection sites are listed below). We encourage churches to begin collecting and filling the packs early – and throughout the year, as certain items such as warm clothing, go on sale. Each zippered school backpack should include:
*We ask that you enclose a copy of the Christmas story in each bag. You can download and print a .pdf copy of it here from our website (see link above). Printing Tip: If the second page prints out upside-down, choose “short edge – top” binding option under your printing preferences. You may have to click “Print using system dialog” to get to your advanced preferences. Packing hint: The Bible and Christmas Story flyer seem to fit best in the front pocket of many backpacks.
Please make sure all items fit into the backpack. Nothing should be attached to the outside of the pack except the ribbons identifying age and boy/girl. Items outside of the backpack do not store and travel well. Many are either torn off or become quite dirty in transport. Also, please do not tape the outside of the backpacks as it leaves a sticky residue.
Each backpack should be labeled boy or girl as well as the appropriate age. Age groupings for this year are 4-7, 8-10, 11-14, 15-17. Due to labels falling off in previous years, we have now gone to a ribbon system for labeling, and it has proven to be very effective. Each backpack will have two 10 inch ribbons tied to them – one to indicate gender and one for age, as follows:
Gender
Blue ribbon will indicate a boy’s backpack
Pink ribbon will indicate a girl’s backpack
Age
Yellow ribbon will indicate that the backpack is for ages 4-7
Green ribbon for ages 8-10
Red ribbon for ages 11-14
White ribbon for ages 15-17
We ask that you prepare your backpack as you would for your own child or grandchild, with new items, not used ones. This quality gift could be the only Christmas present this child receives, and will be a witness of Christ’s love!
School Backpacks
Dollar Days, Backpacks USA, Wholesale Stock Room, Bags in Bulk – Search ‘Discount Backpacks”
Bibles
All Bibles.com, Biblica, Ollies, Family Christian, Bibles by the Case
Toys/Games
Dollar Days, Hollar, Empire Discount, Mattel Charity Sales
Other
Eros Wholesale, Blowout Medical
We need churches and/or associational offices who can have volunteers ready to meet and assist those who might bring backpacks by on Saturday, November 6 between the hours of 9 am and noon, and who can provide either an enclosed trailer, box truck. or building space for the backpacks to be stored. The collection site will then be responsible for transporting backpacks collected to either Shelby Mission Camp or Red Springs Mission Camp (near Lumberton) on Friday, November 12 for processing, which will take place the next day, Saturday, November 13.
Some ministry sites in the Appalachian region have requested NC churches to come conduct a Christmas outreach event in conjunction with the distribution of the backpacks. These events may include preparation of food, additional needs distribution, games for the children, a gospel presentation, etc . Your church would deliver and distribute filled backpacks to the ministry site at the event and participate in ministry activities, which will be planned according to the desires and direction of the ministry center/church. We will also need some churches to simply deliver backpacks to needed areas. Teams wishing to participate in either an event or delivery must register through Baptists on Mission’s Appalachian Coalfields Partnership. Instructions will be sent to the team leader.
All opportunities for partnering have been filled for 2021. We may still have some need for deliveries. If you are interested, let us know.
Several have agreed to be Appalachian Christmas Outreach representatives for their association in 2021. They are available to give advice, support, and to possibly come speak to you and your church about how to be involved in this ministry effort. Please contact them directly if you would like their assistance. If your association is not listed, feel free to contact the representative closest to you.
Download Associational Spokespersons List
Please plan to bring your backpacks to one of these locations on Saturday, November 6 between the hours of 9:00 am and noon. The contact number is provided only if you need to contact someone while en route to deliver your backpacks. If you have questions prior to collection, please contact Mark Abernathy at (919) 459-5607 or at mabernathy@ncbaptist.org.
Additional sites may be added, so you may want to check back before transporting.
Mark Abernathy
Baptists on Mission (BOM)
(919) 459-5607
mabernathy@ncbaptist.org