For the past six years, Belle Aire Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, has built a powerful connection with Hobgood Elementary, an inner-city school facing numerous low-income challenges.
The partnership, part of pastor Grant Gaines’ initiative “Belle Aire Loves the ’Boro,” has mobilized church members to serve both students and staff in meaningful ways every month through the school year and even through summer break.
“We have always been a missions-minded church but wanted to do more locally,” explains Carolyn Outland, who serves on the ministry team.
The program deploys 14 teams with as many as 200 people serving across Murfreesboro. Approximately 20 members regularly support Hobgood Elementary each month, adapting their approach to meet evolving needs.
Meeting practical needs
While direct religious ministry to children during school hours isn’t permitted, the church finds creative ways to support the community.
They’ve established a store where parents of children with perfect monthly attendance can obtain essential items like soap, laundry detergent, and paper towels — simultaneously addressing practical needs while encouraging consistent school attendance.
“Sometimes we find out needs they have and we’ll have prayer with them,” said Outland. “There’s often no system or plan because it changes. God always brings up needs we didn’t plan on. But we try to meet them.”
One of the church’s most successful initiatives is “High-Five Fridays,” held monthly throughout the school year. Church members, wearing their Hobgood t-shirts, greet students as they arrive at school, offering high-fives and words of encouragement.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written Zoë Watkins and originally published Tennessee’s Baptist and Reflector.
