VALDOSTA —
The director of the Fourth Annual Community Day compared the event to feed the needy in the area with the story of Jesus blessing a lad’s simple lunch of five loaves of bread and two fishes and feeding the 5,000 people gathered on a hillside to hear Him preach.
Expecting 15,000 people to attend Community Day Saturday, an additional 10,000 showed up, bringing the estimated number to 25,000, according to a policeman parking cars. But before the sun set that day, each and every one had not only been fed, but had also received additional food supplies, and had the opportunity to get clothes, household items and medical care as well.
Likewise, just as in the biblical story where 12 baskets of leftover food were gathered after feeding the 5,000, there was enough food left over from Community Day to give to all the food banks there that wanted it (First Baptist, Perimeter Road, Cross Point Mission, Camp Rock). The leftover clothes went to the Repeat Boutique on Norman Drive, which partially funds Options Now.
About 1,000 volunteers, including those from the host Valdosta Baptist Association and many other denominations, manned the event. Forty seven in the medical field, including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and dentists, as well as support staffs, treated the needy.
That’s according to Drew Boswell, minister of children and families at Valdosta’s First Baptist Church, and Pastor Jay Watkins of Redland Baptist Church.
“It was phenomenal,” said Watkins, who directed the event. “Yes, we did help 25,000, but we had 1,000 volunteers ‘who ... were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.’ (Acts 4:32).
“What impressed me was so many Christians, no matter the denomination, came together for this cause. I think that’s why God honors this day so.”
One of the many highlights, he said, was giving the VIP treatment to a family who had been burned out.
“They got to get everything for their home and clothes for their family,” he said.
Boswell and Watkins were grateful to Second Harvest Food Bank, which donated two semi truckloads of food, and to Sam’s Club, which donated two pallets of water as well as plastic bags.
“(Sam’s) let us park in their parking lot and use their pharmacy,” Watkins said.
Churches of many denominations donated clothes and household items, he added.
Most important of all, the men agreed, there were “hundreds” of professions of faith in Jesus Christ, and 3,500 Gideon Bibles were given out.
“But those who didn’t profess saw Christ through His people in their actions,” Watkins said.
Pastors Brian Anderson from Perimeter Road Baptist and Robert Dawson of Lake Park Baptist picked up trash all day at the event; Pastor Ken Alford of Crossroads Baptist handed out water and Past Phil West of Valdosta’s First Baptist offered lemonade.
“There were so many pastors there just serving without wanting any recognition,” Watkins said. “There were no church names at Community Day. It was just showing people the kingdom of God is still there, still powerful, still serving.”
“At the end of the day, the concept of Community Day was able to continue on past one day,” Boswell said.
When asked if there would be another Community Day, Boswell replied, “... it is up to you who are reading this paper to take this idea of Community Day and help your own community. You take the lead and go across the street to help someone, pray for someone. You can do anything we did at Community Day any day of the week. You can use your skill as a doctor or a carpenter. A housekeeper could clean the house of the elderly.”
“American has seen revivals,” Watkins concluded. “Wouldn’t it be great if Community Day could catch hold nationwide?”
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