Statewide missions blitz largest ever

By Steve DeVane

BR Managing Editor

When the topic of Operation Inasmuch came up at Hertford Baptist Church, Collin Madre, 6, wanted to know what he could do. Madre, seen here with his mother, Lisa, decided to have a lemonade stand - not only to refresh volunteers but also to serve to passersby.

Photo by Dianna Cagle

Biblical Recorder

Nearly 1,000 churches and an estimated 60,000 N.C. Baptists participated in statewide Operation Inasmuch activities April 19, the head of N.C. Baptist Men said.

"It exceeded our expectations and goals," said Richard Brunson, the executive director of N.C. Baptist Men. "Our goal was originally 500 churches ... and 50,000 volunteers."

The event was the largest one-day missions mobilization in N.C. Baptist history and likely the largest Baptist effort anywhere not related to disaster relief, according to Brunson.

"No other state has done anything like this," he said.

Much of the ministry centered on construction projects, but other projects were also included. Some churches cooked casseroles and took other food to people. Others put together items for nursing homes and other facilities. Some prayed by busy highways for passing motorists. Others held sports camps or took cookies to police officers and fire fighters.

N.C. Baptist Men partnered with the national Operation Inasmuch organization to coordinate the statewide effort. Brunson said 990 churches had signed up to participate. Some scheduled their activities on different days, but about 900 were ministering in their communities on April 19, he said.

"We had projects in all 100 counties," Brunson said.

Green Street Baptist Church in High Point had about 800 people participating in 58 different projects.

Crocker said he had talked with churches that had more than 75 percent of their average weekly attendance participate in Operation Inasmuch. First Baptist Church in Monroe had 100 percent, he said.

"The reports I have, limited though they are, are very, very favorable," he said.

Churches are saying that they found the experience "energizing," Crocker said.

"The exciting thing is that for perhaps 90 to 95 percent of the churches, this is the first time they've ever done anything like this, try to get their whole church doing ministry in one day," he said.