Posted on
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Brook Hill Students Raise Money To Spread Gospel
By KELLY GOOCH
Staff Writer
BULLARD - Students at The Brook Hill School have been earning pennies this month so more people will hear the Gospel.
Staff Writer
BULLARD - Students at The Brook Hill School have been earning pennies this month so more people will hear the Gospel.
Paula Bickerstaff said 10 of her third-graders gave up an activity or treat in September, such as a weekly trip to Sonic, movie rental or candy, and their parents helped figure out how much money would have been spent on that treat or activity.
The cost was then turned into pennies, which will benefit Texas Hope 2010, a program sponsored by the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
Texas Hope 2010 will use the money to buy CDs with the Gospel of John on them, in English and Spanish, along with how to have a relationship with Jesus, Mrs. Bickerstaff said.
The program's goal is for every Texan to get a CD in 2010.
Mrs. Bickerstaff said the class had a goal of collecting 10,000 pennies, enough to buy 100 CDs at $1 each, but surpassed that goal about a week and a half into the mission project.
"I had no idea they would reach that goal so quickly ... We were amazed at how quickly you can earn that much money," she said.
Students ended up raising 13,598 pennies, which will pay for 136 CDs.
Since another donor matched the children's donation, the final amount that will go to Texas Hope 2010 will be 27,196 pennies or $271.96.
Mrs. Bickerstaff said each child will get 14 CDs to pass out to neighbors, family, friends and other community members.
If those people accept Jesus Christ as a result, then they might tell other people, creating a ripple effect, she said.
This "could make a huge impact on the whole world," Mrs. Bickerstaff said. "The kids are very proud of themselves."
She said she first heard about the project through her church, First Baptist Church in Tyler, and her students were in favor of the idea when she brought it up.
Earlier this month, Mrs. Bickerstaff said, she talked with the students about this project being a way for them to sacrifice their desires for God.
"My goals were (for them) to learn the joy of sacrificing for Jesus and (be) able to have the joy of sharing Jesus with other people," she said.
Mrs. Bickerstaff said they also could learn how to work as a team and put their math skills into practice.
The students said they were glad they participated in the project.
Amie Regester gave up trips to Sonic and was able to get more than 500 pennies.
She said she had fun and that the trips were not hard to give up.
Hayden Hommel gave up trips to Marble Slab and playing two particular video games.
"It was easy. I learned that you should always be kind and compassionate to other people," he said.
Hayden said he plans to take four CDs to his baseball team.
Zoe Ward, who gave up 30 minutes of television per day, also had nothing but good things to say about the project.
"Less people not knowing about Jesus is good for me," she said. "I like (that) more people will become Christians."
Mrs. Bickerstaff plans to take the money to her church today. She said Associate Pastor Scott Wiley will make sure 136 CDs get back to her so the children can pass them out.
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