As families prepared to send their kids back to school, Lake Mystic Baptist Church provided haircuts for Florida students, meeting practical needs — and sharing the love of Christ.
Five local hairstylists volunteered to participate in the event, giving 25 children fresh haircuts for the new school year. Lake Mystic Baptist Church provided compensation for each hairstylist’s time, making the event free for families. Guests were welcomed with smiling faces, engaged in conversations and offered snacks and drinks while they waited.
‘Practical, personal, relational’
“Serving W. R. Tolar School is not new for our church, but this year, we sought ways to bless the school and its families in a practical, personal and relational way,” said Cody Watson, pastor of Lake Mystic Baptist Church. “By combining multiple service projects, we hope to demonstrate Christ’s love in tangible ways while creating opportunities to connect with families.”
The other service projects include repairing the school’s disability-accessible playground equipment and restocking the personal care closet with hygiene items and other basic necessities.
Financial strains and the closing of the only grocery store have created challenges for many homes in the rural community. Meeting practical needs, as families face additional costs associated with sending their children back to school, was a way for the church to show the love of Christ in a tangible way.
“We wanted to remove at least one burden from families’ shoulders. Providing haircuts, helping meet hygiene needs and improving the school’s accessible playground are ways we can love our neighbors and serve those who may be struggling,” added Watson.
Full story.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Brooke Mannion and originally published by the Florida Baptist Convention.





