Seasonal Mission Projects

“Family To Family” Christmas Ministry

Christmas is a wonderful time of year to share God’s love with families who have physical, as well as spiritual needs. Dawson’s “Family to Family” ministry provides Dawson members and Sunday School classes the opportunity to share God’s love with families who need assistance during the Christmas season. 

If your family or Sunday School class would like to participate, please pick up a brochure from the Church Office .  Information will also be available about each family in the foyer on Sunday,October 25th, Sunday November 1st and Wednesday, October 28th.  All applications need to be turned in no later than Sunday, November 8th .  Once your form has been received, you will be given information about your family that describes their unique needs.

“Family to Family” is conducted in partnership with M-POWER’s “ Gifts for the King Program.” Each family receiving gifts from this ministry has been screened and approved by the staff at M-POWER. In addition to your gifts, each family will also receive life skills training and will be provided opportunities for continued involvement with M-POWER.

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

Operation Christmas Child

Express the grace of God to a child this Christmas season. “Operation Christmas Child” is not just about giving a shoe box filled with gifts to a child. It’s about introducing children and their families all over the world to God’s greatest gift—His Son, Jesus Christ. Pick up a brochure from the Church Office that details the steps for preparing shoe boxes for the children. Bring your gift-filled shoe box to Dawson on Sunday, November 15 . There will be a time during each worship service for you to bring your shoe box to the front of the Sanctuary or Chapel. Within weeks, your shoe box will be placed into the hands of a smiling child!

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

United States Mission Projects 2010

Gentilly Partnership, New Orleans Click for information

Dawson Builders
Dawson’s builders will work with Builders for Christ to construct a facility for a church in another state. 
Date and location to be announced>

Fort Wingate, New Mexico
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.

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 16-26

Team members will minister 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.  A second Dawson team will travel to Honduras in May.  For information contact Terry Knight at tknight@uabmc.edu or Ben Hale at ben.hale@dawsonchurch.org.

Sumatra, Indonesia
February21-27

Men and women are needed to assist our partners on Sumatra in developing relationships with Indonesians 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
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

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

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

On-Going Projects in Birmingham

• Pathways
• M-Power Ministries
• Spirit of Luke (Alabama Black Belt)
• Sisters in Action
• Operation Christmas Child
• Family to Family
• Food for Friends
• Birmingham World Changers
• Backyard Bible Clubs
• Hispanic Vacation Bible School

Dates of mission projects are subject to revision.  For complete project descriptions and up-to-date information, contact Ben Hale at 871-7324 or ben.hale@dawsonchurch.org

Dr. Gary Fenton, Senior Pastor
Ben Hale, Minister of Evangelism and Missions