North Carolina Inasmuch Smashing Success!

“No Excuses Not to Volunteer for Ministry”
“Central Triad Churches’ Ministry Touches Lives”
“Age Not a Factor for Oldest NC Baptist Church”
“Campbell University Participates in Operation Inasmuch”

            These are just 4 of the 14 headline stories in the May 10 issue of The Biblical Recorder, the official newspaper of NC Baptists, reporting the incredible event on April 19 in which over 1,000 churches were mobilized throughout the 100 counties of North Carolina in Operation Inasmuch.  The event was the culmination of a partnership between NC Baptist Men of the Baptist State Convention of NC and Operation Inasmuch, Inc.  The lead article in the Recorder states:  “The event was the largest one-day missions mobilization in NC Baptist history and likely the largest . . . effort anywhere not related to disaster relief, according to Richard Brunson [Director of Baptist Men.]  ‘No state has done anything like this,’ he said.”  To read these stories and see photos of the event, go to www.biblicalrecorder.org.

            As of the writing of this issue of Hands and Feet, 76 of the 100 counties in NC have reported the statistics of the event.  They are:

• 908 churches participated
• All 100 counties had an OIAM
• 4,258 projects conducted
• 36,221 volunteers served
• 263 people saved as a direct result of NCOIAM

While we know all of the statistics will increase significantly as churches report their results, we praise God for His use of Operation Inasmuch to impact the entire state of North Carolina with His love and grace. 

            At their kickoff gathering early Saturday morning, Ed Hillman, Pastor of First United Methodist Church, Rutherfordton, NC, said:  “This is church.”  Bob Bourne, Coordinator of First UMC’s OIAM adds this report:  “The next morning, our worship service was a reflection on the previous day.  Our congregation has never been so animated, genuinely touched, and closely bonded.  Our normally reserved congregating was eager to stand and speak of their experiences.  The common thread in all of their statements was the joy of serving—and the realization that so many people are in need.  Ed concluded our service with the same statement, “This is church,” and this time, his statement was rewarded with spontaneous applause from the congregation.”

            In Buncombe County a pastor wrote in his church’s newsletter:  “If you measure success only in terms of nickels and noses, the OIAM event was a colossal flop.  If, however, you measure success in terms of fulfilling your mission, then OIAM is perhaps the most successful event we conduct.”
           

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