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Volunteers from Imago Dei Church at the 45 partnered with the Chilton Baptist Association of churches again this year to share the love of Christ with Lowndes County children. On Dec. 21, the partners passed out over 400 gift-filled backpacks to Jackson-Steele Head Start and elementary students and also to Central Head Start and elementary students.

Roughly 15 Chilton County Baptists joined Davey and Amber Lyon and other Imago Dei members to distribute the backpacks that were stuffed, packed and delivered by Chilton County partners. A ministry of Alabama Baptists through Alabama Woman’s Missionary Union and the Alabama State Board of Missions, the backpacks are a gift to the children designed to give missionaries, like the Lyons, an open door to building relationships with community members.

“It’s a way to minister to our community,” said Davey Lyon. “Jesus is gracious to us. He gives us above and beyond what we need, so this is an opportunity for us to do that.

“But, most importantly, we are able to share the gospel. We read the Christmas story, and we share the gospel when we give the backpacks. Every backpack has a Bible and allows us to build relationships with people. It’s an opportunity for those relationships and gospel opportunities.”

Laura James-Hunter, family and community partnerships manager for Lowndes County Board of Education Head Start, has witnessed the impact of backpacks and community partnerships on the students at Head Start.

“We are so blessed to have Mr. Lyons and the church as partners,” James-Hunter said. “He not only helps at Head Start, he helps across the board. He’s always assisting in any way he can.”

The backpacks are filled with toys, school supplies, craft items, clothing, a Bible and more. Each is packed for a boy or girl with age-appropriate items. The annual effort spans across America and especially in the Appalachian and Mississippi River Region where for some children, the backpack may be the only Christmas gift they receive.

Lyon explained that effort is much more than a gift-giving opportunity. While the children enjoy the gifts, Lyon said distribution events give church members and partnering volunteers the chance to show the kind of genuine love possible through faith in Jesus.

“It’s more than just a backpack,” Lyon said. “Anyone can come and [give gifts.] It’s the chance to love more than 400 children and make connections with their families. It’s also an opportunity for other people to come alongside us and serve our community. It’s a blessing to us and a blessing to the people of Chilton County because they are packing the bags and they get a chance to come down and meet the people who receive them.”

Imago Dei Church at the 45 is located at 141 Maple Street in White Hall and offers worship each Sunday at 11 a.m. with Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. and a Wednesday night meal and Bible Study weekly at 6 p.m.

For more information about Christmas backpacks, visit www.alabamawmu.org/christmaspackpacks.