Hamilton church’s outreach helps kids prep for school

New Day Baptist Church Pastor Mike Pearl has been expanding the scope of his ministry to include outreach in the community.

The church has about 30 members who consistently attend Sunday services held at Courtyard by Marriott Hamilton. Each year the small but mighty congregation has reached into its pockets to purchase school supplies for local children.

“The first year we gave away about 50 backpacks and then last year 100,” Pearl said.

The effort, he said, “gives us a chance to love our community and show our core values. This outreach is also a way to extend an invitation to come check us out.”

This year’s giveaway, which took place last weekend, saw nearly 200 backpacks donated to local children, according to Pearl.

“We had a great turnout this year and it was really hot out there, but we did have about 200 people show up and the event went well,” Pearl said. “We wanted adults to come because I’ve seen people, because of the drug problem, get the backpacks and then go try to sell them, so it was good to see that the adults showed up.”

There were some backpacks and food left over so the church delivered the extra goods to Haven House, a homeless shelter in Hamilton.

“It was a great day and we were able to make a lot of connections and were glad to be able to help give some supplies to the Haven House in order to help those in need,” Pearl said.

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