First Baptist Brunswick helping to transform Ugly Betty into Cinderella

Sometime ago a family was contemplating a move to Brunswick, got on the Internet to explore suitable communities for their relocation, and came across one blogger who advised, “Avoid neighborhoods like Arco and Dixville.”

The blogger continued, “There are gangs starting to appear there (Dixville) called BGD (Black Gangster Disciples). You’ll see graffiti with ‘pitchforks’ (their sign) popping up all over the place. All the people ‘gotta’ worry about now is thefts, robberies, etc., but once the rival gangs appear that’s when all the assaults and homicides come.”

The youth of First Baptist Church in Brunswick saw the need in the community and decided to invest their time and energy into what has come to be known as “Operation Dixville” – a concerted effort to change the landscape of the area through a renovation, revitalization project.

Dave Hall, student minister of First Baptist Church, explained, “Our youth group saw a need in one senior adult widow’s life and as an act of worship (James 1:27), as an act of a faith that works (James 2), and in obedience to the two greatest commandments of God (love God with all your heart, mind, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself) we began to respond to the needs that we saw. From there it just snowballed.”

“Operation Dixville” is a significant project that involves the revitalization of 12 city blocks just south of the city. Hall stated, “The area is basically three blocks wide and seven blocks long.

“Dixville became the site for the illegal dumping of trash, junk cars, garbage, and all kinds of debris. The refuse began to fill the alleyways and empty lots. The abandoned homes were painted with gang symbols and the stench of rotting garbage permeated the area. That would be bad enough, but it also became a place of drug traffic, prostitution, gang activity, and crime.”

The youth of First Baptist Brunswick were first attracted to the area when they saw the needs of Clara Smith and began helping her by working to make her home more livable and attractive.

In an interview with The Index, Smith declared, “Those children from the church painted my house, took out the old carpet and put in new carpet, built me a pantry, and put a new floor in my bathroom as well as a new toilet.

“They have cleaned up my yard three different times and the last time they planted flowers. They bought a screened-in gazebo and put it in my backyard. I have been here for 35 years and it looks as good now as when I moved here. I am happy, excited, thrilled. I never thought anything like this would happen in my old age.”

 

Missions at home and abroad

Hall reported, “One of the homes we are working on is inhabited by a 70 year-old widow who was actually born in that very home. The exterior walls are rotting. The paint is pretty much gone or has flaked off. Some of the houses have huge rot, mold, and rodent and roach infestation. Few have air conditioning and almost none have central air conditioning.”

First Baptist is not opposed to long distance mission endeavors and are planning short-term trips to Morocco, Brazil, and Turkey this year in addition to trips to Montana and New York, but Hall believes missions begins at home. The student pastor stated, “There is a great need all around us. We can have a great missions experience a half-mile from our church door.

“‘Operation Dixville’ is youth driven. Due to the availability of junior high students, they do much of the work. They can paint, landscape, and build. They also have been faithful to witness and they certainly know how to love on the people in the neighborhood. Most parents would be surprised at the level of work they can do.”

Brunswick’s First Baptist Church has not worked alone. “We have been blessed to have many partners,” Hall states. “Many local and regional churches have come alongside of us to touch the soil and the lives of people in Dixville.”

Brunswick Mayor Bryan Thompson has led the city to get involved as well., “Any time we have an opportunity to partner with the private sector like First Baptist Church we are eager to do so, because it helps us address a lot of issues we are not staffed or funded to address otherwise,” he said. “We worked with World Changers last year and they put roofs on 40 houses. They are coming again this year and hope to put roofs on 70 more.”

World Changers, a ministry of the North American Mission Board, provides a dynamic weeklong mission trip for students who want to make a difference in the lives of those with spiritual and physical needs.

Thompson added, “For the ‘Dixville Project’ the city has provided 20-yard dumpsters for the refuse and trash and shared in the cost for the disposal of all the debris. I have also enjoyed being out there working with them as time has permitted.

“The folks from First Baptist and those who have assisted them have not only changed the landscape, but they have changed the attitudes of the people who live there.”

Reports from Dixville indicate that the work that has taken place there has lifted the spirits and hopes of the senior adults who reside in the area. Hall proclaimed, “The older adults have pride and remember when it was nice. We are trying to encourage them, show them respect, and return them to a level of livability and dignity they once enjoyed.”

Hall contends that the project has opened the eyes of many people to the needs of those who are less fortunate. “Our people have seen how they can impact lives and really make a difference in the lives of others,” he admitted. “This project has also helped them experience the joy that comes from serving others.

“And the people in Dixville have come to understand that they are loved by a God who doesn’t judge people by the color of their skin or their economic status and that He is available to all who will receive Him.”

The Student Department of the Georgia Baptist Convention has been hosting the SuperWow Conferences in Jekyll Island this summer. One afternoon during each conference about 1,300 youth have opted out of their leisure hours in the afternoon to work on the Dixville project. With the mobilization of this massive work force the project that was begun last year is nearing completion.

 

Far-reaching, lasting ministry

Scott Kindig, consultant with GBC Youth Ministries, stated, “We love what is happening at Dixville and feel privileged to be a part of something that involves local churches, city government, and a work force of up to two thousand students who are coming to SuperWow. We have always had mission projects at SuperWow, but our partnership with FBC Brunswick in Operation Dixville gives us the opportunity to plug into something that has momentum and fuels ministry that will take place long after the students attending our camp go home.

“Hands-on mission opportunities change students. They have come to camp not just to be blessed, but also to be a blessing. SuperWow students are also going home with a vision to replicate what they have done here in their own communities. It is a beautiful partnership.”

In reflecting on the support of the SuperWow campers, Hall emphasized, “The churches that come via SuperWow have reported the students wanting to return to their homes and begin this type ministry there. This isn’t about me or First Baptist Church, but about breaking down walls of resistance to Christ’s gift of salvation for all.”

Ugly Betty + devoted youth who are flavored with the Spirit of God = Cinderella!