Buckets of Hope for Haiti

Everyone has been moved by the tremendous needs of the Haitian people since the devastating earthquake.  Begining Sunday, February 21, you or your Sunday School class can do something that will have a direct impact on a Haitian family.  A “Bucket of Hope” that costs about $35-40 will provide much needed food to a Haitian family. Simply fill a five gallon bucket with very specific food items and deliver them to Dawson on or before March 10th.  The Dawson buckets will be added to those being donated by other churches for eventual shipment to Haiti. 

Displays have been set up in the Foyer and in the Gathering Room of the North Building for you to pick up instructions.  (These instructions are “very specific and need to be followed carefully as you prepare your bucket.) A limited supply of buckets can also be purchased at these displays for $2.

Click here for a pdf copy of the instruction sheet.

For more information contact Ben Hale at 871-7324 or ben.hale@dawsonchurch.org

See more information at http://www.namb.net/bucketsofhope

Haiti Medical Mission Team

On February 27, Dawson’s 11-member medical mission team will depart for Haiti to conduct a medical clinic and provide a medical supply closet for The Joy House, a ministry of our partner church in Arkansas. The team will return on Saturday, March 6.

Please continue praying for the people of Haiti, as well as the Dawson medical mission team.

Serving Across Birmingham

Groups & Individuals Needed to Renovate Homes, April 5-May 1
This spring Dawson will partner with other local congregations in an effort called “Serving Across Birmingham.” The goal of this emphasis is to show the love of Jesus, both in word and deed, to a specific Birmingham neighborhood by renovating homes. The homes will be selected by an organization called Metro Changers. We estimate that approximately 20 houses will be renovated during the four-week emphasis. Dawson will sponsor three of these homes.

The transformation of this many homes in one neighborhood in a very short period of time will provide many opportunities for ministry. There are many positive elements of this emphasis, such as:

• It’s local. . . so there will be multiple opportunities to serve.
• It’s free. . . all building materials are provided by Metro Changers.
• It’s fun. . . and provides great opportunities for Sunday School and Bible study
groups to serve together.

If your Sunday School class or small group would like to sponsor a home, contact Ben Hale at ben.hale@dawsonchurch.org for details. You can do the work at your own pace during the emphasis. Notice there are four Saturdays you could use to get the job done. Your only commitment would be to finish the job.

If you, as an individual, would like to work on one of the houses, contact Ben Hale at ben.hale@dawsonchurch.org to sign up. Team leaders are needed for each of the locations.

Contact: Ben Hale at 871-7324 or ben.hale@dawsonchurch.org

International Mission Projects

International Mission Projects Begin Early in 2010
The time for you to begin thinking and praying about participating in some of Dawson 2010 mission projects is NOW!  In 2010 three projects will take place early in the year and that means team will need to be formed this fall.  If you are interested in one of the three projects listed below now is the time to ask for information.

Honduras
January 16-22
May 22-29

Team members ministered to rescued street boys at Forgotten Children’s Ministry and participate in a community food ministry.  Since 1998, almost 3,500 street children and youth have been murdered in Honduras. The boys at Grace Farm and Noah’s Ark Shelter have been saved from this harsh reality.  For information contact Terry Knight at tknight@uabmc.edu or Ben Hale at ben.hale@dawsonchurch.org.
See Stephen Hauck’s report and slideshow on the website of CBS42 CLICK

A second Dawson team will travel to Honduras in May.  For information contact Steve McPheeters smcpheeters@maynardcooper.com

Southeast Asia
February21-27

Men and women are needed to assist our partners in Asia in developing relationships with people who are interested in learning English.  The team will be Dawson’s third to work in the same location.  In addition to the language ministry there will be opportunities to serve in a rural fishing village.  For more information contact Betty Sands at elizabet.sands@att.net or Ben Hale at ben.hale@dawsonchurch.org.

Venezuela:
March 13-20

Help install water purification systems in local communities and help lead Vacation Bible School.
Contact: Allen Smith at allensmith8581@bellsouth.net

Akot, Sudan
April 7-16

In 2009 a Dawson team constructed a building in Akot, Sudan.  This facility houses a school that has over seventy students enrolled.  The building will also be used as a location for pastoral training and discipleship.  This team will be involved in a variety of ministry efforts that include discipleship classes, women’s ministry, and a possible an agricultural project. A second Dawson team will be in another area of Sudan in May.  For more information contact Don Steen at don.stten@dawsonchurch.org or Ben Hale at ben.hale@dawsonchurch.org.

Student Mission Trip to Ecuador
May 29-June 5

Dawson’s Student Ministry is planning a mission trip to Ecuador for the coming year. This mission trip will involve holding a soccer tournament for children connected with Compassion Kids International. Soccer skills and ability to speak Spanish are helpful but not required. If you are an adult or student (11th grade-college) interested in participating in the trip (May 29-June 5, 2010), contact Brady Haynes for more information.
Contact: Brady Haynes at 871-7324 or brady.haynes@dawsonchurch.org

Brazil:
May (date to be announced)

In partnership with two other Birmingham congregations, help construct a new church building for a small congregation.
Contact: Bobby Keith at popsrrk@bellsouth.net

Kajo Keji, Sudan:
May 23-June 2

Provide medical services as a means to help e3 Partners plant a new congregation.
Contact: Debbie Moss at debbie.moss@dawsonchurch.org

Swaziland:
May 1-12

Through a children’s ministry, help begin a partnership with a local community through a collaboration with Children’s Hope Chest.
Contact: Todd Harrington at todd.harrington@dawsonchurch.org

Arequipa, Peru:
July 17-25

Provide medical services and door-to-door evangelism to help e3 Partners plant new congregations.
Contact: Bill Rogers at wrogers@uab.edu

Ukraine:
Summer (date to be announced)

Conduct a sports camp as a way to minister to orphans in a government orphanage.
Contact: Chris Hunsberger at chris.hunsberger@dawsonchurch.org

United States Mission Projects 2010

Gentilly Partnership, New Orleans Click for information

• Renovation, January 14-17
• Sunday School Leadership Training, February 19-21
• MIddle School Block Party, May 28-29
• Vacation Bible School, June 21-25

Dawson Builders
June 12-19
Dawson’s builders will work with Builders for Christ to construct a facility for a church in another state. 
Location to be announced.

Fort Wingate, New Mexico
July (date to be announced)
Parents and their school-age children are encouraged to serve together in this project. The objective of this project is to minister to the families and children that live on the Navajo reservation in Fort Wingate.

World Changers
July 12-17, Chattanooga. TN
High School students

Chapel Choir Ministry Tour
June 12-19, Orlando, FL
Dawson’s Chapel Choir will minister through concerts in homeless shelters, hospitals, retirmement centers, and area churches.

Alabama and Local Mission Projects 2010

Metro Changers
Saturday, April 24
Saturday, May 1

Spirit of Luke South Alabama

January 9, 2010 - Silas/Gilbertown, AL [Choctaw, Co.]

February 6, 2010 -Midway, AL [Bullock Co.]

March 6, 2010 - Macon Co.

April 3, 2010 - Union Town, AL [Perry Co.]

May 1, 2010 - Coy, AL [ Wilcox Co.]

June 5, 2010 - Vredenburgh, AL [Wilcox Co.]

June 26, 2010 - Pine Hill, AL [Wilcox Co.]

August 7, 2010- Gees Bend, AL [Wilcox, Co.]

September 4, 2010 - Camden, Back to School Rally

October 2, 2010 Forkland,AL [Green Co.]

November 6, 2010 - Coy, AL [ Wilcox Co.]

December 4, 2010 - Vredenburgh Christmas

December 11, 2010 - Forkland Christmas