October 2, 2026
EPWORTH, Ga. — Since 1994, First Baptist Church Epworth has taken shoeboxes to South Dakota, and now to Oklahoma. On Dec. 5, 2025, 37 church members traveled to the Muscogee-Seminole-Wichita Indian Baptist Association in Henryetta, Oklahoma, to deliver 1,904 shoeboxes so children could have a better Christmas.
The shoeboxes were delivered to 29 churches in southeastern Oklahoma. There are 9500 children on the reservations, served by 70 churches in the association.
In years past, boxes were given directly to the children. This year, boxes were dropped off at the association office, and the group worked around the office. The volunteers had lunch and dinner with church members and participated in worship.
The impact of the shoeboxes is felt each year. “The best way to describe it is they are grateful. They don’t take anything for granted out there whatsoever,” said Epworth volunteer Logan Davis. “You can’t describe it without going.”
The smiles on the kids' faces tell the story. Davis described a past trip, saying, “If you give a little girl a baby doll (dollar store version), you might as well have given her a $1000 baby doll.”
Davis added, “These kids will take it, unfold it, and unpack the items one by one. They will put their gloves on and their scarves. And a beanie on if it’s in there. They will play with one toy normally. Then, they will repack their boxes and shut them up so they don’t lose anything.”
Bill Rush, who helped start the ministry when he worked with Epworth’s youth ministry, said the people are humble and thankful. “When they pray, they say, 'Thank You, God. Our people from Georgia are here.'”
Epworth church member Mike Campbell, who was there from the beginning, recalled a past trip where one girl counted out 26 items in the box and said she had 15 friends to whom she could give one each. “It was a very unselfish thing to do,” he remarked.
The church does not do it all alone. Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church in East Point, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Blue Ridge, First Baptist Church in McCaysville, Lebanon Baptist Church in Epworth, Morganton Baptist Church in Morganton, Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Blue Ridge, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Copperhill, Tennessee, Bethel Church in McCaysville, and Epworth Methodist Church in Epworth partner with Epworth First Baptist Church to provide boxes each year.
“These gifts symbolize the love of Christ. And, it’s a way for them to express that. It’s good for us to share the gospel in words, but also to adorn the gospel with our actions, showing love and meeting needs. I think this is a great project they have continued to do for many years that does that very thing,” Epworth Baptist Pastor Chris Clark said. “We can accomplish more together, and it’s vital to be able to cooperate for the common mission of the advancement of the gospel and God’s Kingdom.”
Jefferson Avenue church member Betty Turner, 94, has been there from the beginning and prepares boxes each year. “I feel like we’re sharing Jesus with people who need it. It makes us feel good to share the word of the Lord with other people. We don’t have to see them. We just need to plant the seed.”
Turner works all year diligently preparing for the ministry. An example of a box she might prepare for a two-to-four-year-old includes bubbles, chalk, scissors, glue, PlayDoh, a comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, a washcloth, toys, socks, a hat, gloves, a scarf, and candy. Most boxes have food. She makes sure the Bibles are put in first, and inspects each box carefully. “The Lord will give the child the box they need,” she said.
Lebanon church member Frances Newberry made the trip this year and can’t wait to go next year. “It is a blessing to know that just a little thing like a toy in a box makes them happy. You take a box that might have one little toy in it or two little toys, and it is just amazing how much those kids appreciate that one little box,” she explained. The trip made Newberry appreciate everything she has at home.
The ministry's roots date back to 1992, when the Epworth First Baptist youth group prayed for a mission trip. After a prayer retreat, the Native American area of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, was chosen. In 1994, they delivered 269 boxes. Between 1996 and 2003, they averaged around 500 shoeboxes annually.
In 2003, the late Fred Lindsey, who was director of missions of the Muscogee-Seminole-Wichita association, reached out to Epworth and asked for help reaching southeastern Oklahoma. Around 500 shoeboxes were taken that year.
The shoebox ministry has resulted in multiple mission trips to both areas.
Epworth church member Gary Harper recalls delivering bicycles with snow on the ground in South Dakota. “We got a message that said it was almost here and to go outside and wait. And, all of a sudden, a big Walmart truck with a Christmas wreath on the front of it backs in, and they open it, and there were 100 brand new bicycles put together at no charge.” The experience moved him. “If you could have only seen the kids' faces. We were unloading bikes and handing them out one by one. You really can’t put it in words.” This was his first trip to Oklahoma.
Clark sees it as a great cause and mission for people to get behind. “It’s something that has been an avenue for people to do something selfless. It’s a great opportunity for people to serve. We have people who are going and people who are giving financially to help support the trip. And, we have people who are praying for those who are able to go.”
Rush hopes to take 5,000 boxes next year, and he also wants to do mission work there, to "really get to know the people.”
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