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Church takes God to the fair
By JEAN JOHNSON BROOKSVILLE -- At least one Hernando County church is visible at this year's fair: First Baptist Church of Brooksville. The Rev. Paddy O'Connor Jr. offers the community information about Jesus Christ and encourages other churches to add materials. This is the third consecutive year the Alachua Baptist Association, which includes Hernando and Citrus counties, has sponsored a Christian booth at the fair. Face painting and balloons entice youngsters to become interested in Christian teachings. The balloons are shaped like an animal, a cross, a heart and other things. An salvation bracelet and tract offer youth an explanation for the colors of the beads: yellow for heaven, black for sin, red for the blood of Christ, white for security through his death and Resurrection, and green for new life through faith in Christ. Even the carnies were not forgotten. Before the fair, for the first time, they were given a meal each night, clothing and health kits, O'Connor said. At the booth, volunteers make bracelets, inflate balloons, paint faces and talk to parents. Parents with no church affiliation are invited to a local one. O'Connor, First Baptist's minister for youth and families, said working the booths is hard work, but also fun. "You get to play with kids, so how can you not like that?" he said. The 47-year-old married father of a 12-year-old girl said the ministry to the carnival workers is creating a lot of excitement because of the legitimate need for clothes, food and blankets. "Some of them only make $20 a day for an eight- to 12-hour day," the pastor said.
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From today's Hernando Times |
