After participating in the Serve Tour Augusta, National Hills Baptist Church experiences renewed faith, growth, and community engagement.
When Pastor Kevin Steele of National Hills Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia, first learned about the Send Relief Serve Tour, he saw an opportunity that could transform his church and community.
“Honestly, I didn’t know anything about the Serve Tour,” Steele admitted. “But when it was explained to me, I was blown away. They’re going to come and enable the church, in the name of the local church—not in their own name—to help us reach our community.”
As a smaller congregation with less than a hundred attendees on Sundays, National Hills had big dreams but limited resources. The lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic had also left the church in a state of uncertainty.
“Coming out of COVID, there was still this lingering fog,” Pastor Steele said. “It had been hard to rally the troops, so to speak.”
Taking a Step of Faith
The invitation to serve as a hub church for the Serve Tour Augusta in February 2024 was both exciting and daunting.
“We have big ideas and big visions, but we’re constricted by the reality of our current circumstance,” he explained. “The idea that someone would enable us with resources and personnel to represent Christ locally was both humbling and invigorating.”
Participating in the Serve Tour required a leap of faith. Concerns about volunteer turnout and resource limitations loomed large. However, Pastor Steele felt compelled to trust in God’s provision.
The church’s participation had a profound impact on both the congregation and the community. About 60% of the church members got involved—a remarkable feat for any church, let alone a smaller one.
A Community Transformed
“We saw people step out and serve that had not ordinarily been serving,” Pastor Steele noted. “One of our new attendees, before she was even a member and was baptized, jumped in and said, ‘I want to go on a grill walk and share Jesus.’ That was incredible.”
One of the key projects was partnering with Garrett Elementary School, a Title I underserved school in the area. The church undertook several initiatives, including remodeling two teachers’ lounges, building picnic tables, and planning a reading gazebo.
“Because of the rapport that was built with the school, we’re starting a Good News Club,” he shared. “It’s the first in Richmond County in over 30 years.”
The Good News Club allows church volunteers to share the gospel with students weekly, right on the school premises.
“We have five volunteers from National Hills who will be part of that larger team,” Pastor Steele said. “We’ll be sharing the gospel of Christ weekly with elementary students at the school where so many resources were invested during Serve Tour.”
Growth and Renewal
Since the Serve Tour, National Hills Baptist Church has experienced significant growth. Attendance is up about 20%, and the church recently baptized three individuals, with more awaiting baptism.
“The Lord is working,” Pastor Steele affirmed. “People that weren’t involved as much are serving now in other areas. It’s definitely spawned a desire to be involved on a wider scale.”
The church also benefited from an internal sanctuary remodel during the Serve Tour, which has revitalized their worship experience. “It has brought our people together and created in them a new identity,” he explained. “It’s almost a freedom to worship.”
A Message to Other Churches
Pastor Steele encourages other churches to embrace opportunities like the Serve Tour.
“Firstly, do it,” he urged. “Take a step of faith. Believe that God has already provided the resources. Just believe that your people will respond if you set a clear direction as a leader.”
He acknowledges the challenges but emphasizes the rewards.
“It’s remarkable how easy it is to operate in ministry without faith,” he reflected. “But this experience empowered our people. We can do some things, right?”
Looking Ahead
With newfound momentum, National Hills Baptist Church is gearing up for continued ministry both locally and internationally. The congregation is more engaged than ever, and the church is considering participating in future Serve Tour events.
The transformation at National Hills Baptist Church illustrates the profound impact that stepping out in faith and serving the community can have on a congregation. Through the Serve Tour Augusta, the church not only revitalized its ministries but also strengthened its bonds within the community and among its members.
“By God’s grace, He preserved us,” Pastor Steele concluded. “The Lord is working.”
For more information on how to get involved with Send Relief and future Serve Tour events, visit sendrelief.org/serve-tour.
Published October 2, 2024