October 2, 2026
MAYSVILLE, Ga. — One hundred families lined up early in the morning of Saturday, July 26, for the annual Maysville Baptist Church Back-to-School event at Primera Iglesia Bautista de Maysville Church. Both churches provided 325 students with school supplies, backpacks, clothing, haircuts, burritos, a box of food, and the gospel.
Senior Pastor Shane Roberson said 35 accepted Christ as their savior and five others made decisions that day. “We simply cast the net and God did the rest.”
He continued, “It was an amazing opportunity to see God work through our people who really consider it a sincere blessing to give their talents, their time, their treasure, their testimonies, their trust, and even their troubles to the Lord as they serve God.”
Spiritual needs were met first, then the physical needs, much like when Jesus fed the 5000 in Luke Chapter 9. “Let’s meet those spiritual needs first by giving them the kingdom of God. And let’s get them into groups on our campus and let’s meet their physical needs. In the feeding of the 5000, they needed food. Those who have been standing in line all day, let’s make sure they have a hot meal,” said Roberson.
Primera Iglesia Bautista de Maysville served 700 breakfast and lunch burritos for those standing in line.
Once inside, guests filled out a registration card including household information, kids’ clothing sizes, what church and school they attend, and any prayer requests they had. Next, the youth ministry from Maysville Baptist Church presented a seven-minute testimony skit. Students held signs saying such things as “lying,” “betrayal,” “depression,” and “loneliness,” and an actor portraying Jesus entered, took away those signs, and took them to the cross. There was also a tomb where Jesus went in and came out before putting new signs on them that reflected the positive things that Christ does for us.
“It was a good picture of the gospel,” said Tori Smith, the church’s community outreach director. “They did a good job of portraying what Jesus did for us, and how he relieves us from so much weight that we think we have to hold on to.”
Roberson, men’s ministry pastor David Sharpton, and evangelist Zach Watson each rotated giving invitations.
“Everything we do, we want the gospel to be the highlight. We want Christ to be exalted,” said Roberson.
Those who made decisions received counselin, were given a book about the first weeks of being a Christian and what to do, and were invited to church, or encouraged to find a church closer to their home.
After the gospel was presented, the kids got the school supplies.
Older kids received binders, dividers, folders, rulers, and composition books. Younger kids walked away with markers, crayons, erasers, scissors, and glue. Mission Georgia donated 300 new book bags for each child. Students were able to choose what color and style. Students also got a gift bag which included either an English or Spanish language bible provided by Gideons International.
All students received free haircuts courtesy of Sassafras Salon & Company of Jefferson, Ga. Life Is A Party Rental of Commerce, Ga., provided tents and chairs for the event.
The churches contact every person who fills out a card, depending on their indicated language preference.
People wrote many messages on the decision cards. Smith said one person wrote, “I grew up in church, but walked away from it. So, the skit overwhelmed me because each of the negative signs at the beginning represented my life today. I want Jesus to take my sins away and save me. And I prayed to receive Christ today. I feel a load has been lifted off of me.”
Smith said Maysville Baptist does visitation and outreach every Monday. “Most people are OK with us coming to their home.” Roberson said they go door-to-door thanking them for coming, making sure they had all their needs met, “and we want to know about their eternal destination and their church home.”
The church makes every effort to ensure guests are connected with a church. If the child or family attends another church, that church is notified. If the person lives further out, Roberson explained, Maysville will reach out to a Georgia Baptist church near their home. “It’s not just about us, it’s about the kingdom,” said Roberson.
The church also provides a food pantry and clothes closet ministry on the first Thursday of every month. At the end of this event, families receive clothes and a box of food from those ministries.
This was the first year for Primera Iglesia Bautista de Maysville Church. The campus is the former location of Maysville Baptist. “What was really awesome was that people came in who didn’t necessarily speak English, but the fact that we were partnered with the Hispanic church this year really gave us an advantage to overcome that barrier,” Smith said.
This event was not sponsored by the local schools and was open to anyone who wanted to come.
Maysville is located on the line of Jackson and Banks counties. Guests also came from Habersham and Hall counties, and the Athens area.
“We kinda put it out there and whoever comes gets served,” said Smith.
She says some who come to this event never set foot in the church. “It’s hard because when they are talking to you, this might be the 10th time you have invited them, but it might take 11,” said Smith.
She explained that the most important thing is to remind people that Jesus loves them, and that they need to find a church and be a part of something where they can be among other believers and worship the Lord.
Smith hopes one day the churches can take over a whole school and ultimately be more involved in the community beyond school supplies. She said it’s important for the community to know that the church is there, that they love them and care for them, and that Jesus loves them as well. She concluded, “We want to be a light for Jesus, not just sit on this hill. Just as much as we are on this hill, we are also in the valley, immersed in that community.”
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