3MT volunteers reach Mid-Missouri, see 29 decisions for Jesus Christ
TIPTON – Imagine a church packed with youth and adults alike jumping and praising Jesus after successfully completing 39 service housing projects. That was the case July 22 at First Baptist Church, Tipton, as they marked the culmination of 3MT (Mid-Missouri Missions Team), a week-long mission project organized in Tipton and featuring teams fanning out to several surrounding communities.
Churches from as far as Tennessee joined in the project to do all kinds of chores and spread “The Good News” of Jesus Christ. Jason Davis, youth pastor, First Baptist Church, Prairieville, was the evangelist for 3MT.
“The impression that I got from most of the students is they have realized that they call themselves Christians but they are just not seeking Him (Jesus).” Davis said. “It took a week like this for them to come and to be free from the television and from their phones and even parents to where they could focus on Him directly and seek after Him without any hindrances. If you give them a chance to grow, they are going to grow.”
Many lives were changed through this event whether physically, in the form of a repainted house, or spiritually through God. During the week there were 29 professions of faith and more than 15 rededications.
“It has been an awesome experience that I will never forget,” said Jeremy Haynes from Wartburg, Tenn. “All the new people and the chance to work and paint have been great.” Haynes said. “I have seen God change the face of the community as far as the painting and I have also seen lives changed though decisions including myself rededicating.”
One of the highlights featured each night after the day’s projects were completed was an altar call where worshipers were invited to go and make decisions or simply pray. Leigh Andra Martin, 15, from Versailles, was moved by the altar calls.
“Every single night we have been here the altar has been completely full during the invitation and it was just covered with people praying, crying, and hugging one another,” she said. “I just think God really was working there and it has brought our youth group really close together and I was really glad for that.”
Kevin Kohler, pastor, First Baptist Church, Fortuna, was the director of 3MT and he is already in the process of organizing next year’s event.
“I would encourage any of the Missouri Baptist Convention churches if they are not involved in missions work at all to look for the advertisement next year for 3MT.” Davis said.
“Sign up and bring your church and you will see that your students will grow. I guarantee that if you bring your students that you are going to have an explosion in your youth group.” (John Inman is a junior journalism major at Lincoln University in Jefferson City and is a summer intern with The Pathway.)