A Mission Trip for 70-Year-Olds
Are service expeditions only for the young? Not according to the senior adult fellowship at First Baptist Church, Gainesville, Florida.
These men and women, each between 70 and 75 years old, were a little tired of the same old activities. One woman said, "You know, I've always wanted to go on a mission. But I've never had the opportunity."
So the group, under the supervision of David Smith, minister with senior adults, wrote to their home mission board in Atlanta. The board responded by putting them in touch with the pastor of Temple Church, Moundsville, West Virginia, a fellowship needing help to finish its new building.
The senior adults took an inventory of what they felt they were good at and contacted the church.
At their own expense, the seniors purchased windows, loaded them in a U-Haul trailer, and headed north. Most of the 11 senior adults rode in the church van, but one man drove his car in case anything went wrong.
After traveling three days at a leisurely pace, they arrived on a Saturday evening in Moundsville. They stayed in a cabin near the new church.
Sunday morning found them in church, and on Sunday night they were given charge of the entire service. They led singing and shared testimonies. Later, they enjoyed fellowship with members of the church.
From Monday to Thursday, they worked hard, hanging windows, painting, and installing insulation. "No one had trouble sleeping those four nights," says David Smith. "After the work was done, we'd go back to our cabin like a big, happy family."
Several people from the Moundsville congregation spoke about how moved they were that a group of senior adults would come so far to serve another church. One man on crutches said it was the best treat he had on memory.
When the van ...
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