Our facility is situated in a prime location along the causeway and inside what locals call "the loop." Year round, the sidewalk around the island is filled with people walking, jogging and biking. During beach season, we man a tent and coolers filled with cold water ready to strike up any conversation the Lord leads us into. We pray, encourage and welcome those we meet to join us for worship and to find out more about the Love of God!
Who: 2-4 willing servants per each time of service
What: “WBBC Water Ministry” John 4:14
When: Every Sunday morning from 8:50-10:10 and 10:10-11:30
Where: “On The Loop” in front of our Worship Center
Why: Follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s command in Matthew 28: 18-20
How: Signing-up by calling the church office at 910-256-3682.
The ministry was recently highlighted in by the Lumina News:
http://luminanews.com/2016/09/church-marks-decade-water-delivery/
BY LUMINA ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2016 - 5:39 PM COMMUNITY NEWS, NEWS
By Elly Colwell
Intern
As the beach was full of people celebrating Labor Day weekend and enjoying a few final days of summer, members of Wrightsville Beach Baptist Church continued what has become a decade-long local tradition by offering free cold water to those who passed by their place of worship on the Loop.
Every Sunday morning from spring to fall for the past 10 years, the church has supplied the Wrightsville Beach Loop walkers with water, dog treats, and smiles. On busier days, like this past Sunday, they distribute over 200 bottles to passersby.
“You don’t have to agree with our beliefs to accept our water,” church member L.T. Hines said. “We just want to show people that Wrightsville Beach is different and invite people to come visit the church.”
“The Water Ministry” tradition was originally started by the children’s church, but Hines, Al Hollowell and the late Jim Fisher put the structure and stability behind the outreach to make it a regular occurrence.
“The purpose behind the ministry is to welcome people. We want to share the love of Christ and extend the love of the church,” said Laura Roebuck, Wrightsville Beach Baptist Church and Water Ministry member.
Most receive the ministry well by accepting the water thankfully or graciously declining. A few people ask for prayer, offer donations, stop to chat, or ask questions about the church and volunteers’ beliefs. These discussions are usually amicable and they give volunteers a chance to share their faith, members of the ministry said.
Over the past 10 years, community members have begun to count on the Water Ministry.
“If we can’t be out here because of rain or weather, people notice,” Hines said.
The consistency of the ministry has allowed members to build relationships with walkers and their pets, greeting them by name when they pass by and exchanging a few pleasantries. Some of these relationships have led people to visit the church.
Hines, a member of the congregation since he was 9 years old, has seen a lot of change in the church over the years. One is increased attendance because of the ministry.
The water outreach has become self-sufficient through the donations of grateful community members. Though the church is clear that they do not expect any form of donation, some people are moved to donate a few dollars when they see the church giving to others.
The idea behind the ministry is first to meet a physical need by providing water, and then to have the opportunity to pour into people’s spiritual needs as well.
On occasion, meeting physical needs has meant more than handing out water. Bill Stevens, another volunteer, said that in the past the ministry has served people who have spent the night on the beach and needed something to eat or a place to sit down before continuing on with their day. The church has reached out on these occasions with protein bars, donuts and coffee.
He remembers one Sunday when he greeted two young women who were walking in their workout gear. He invited them to visit the church, and when they asked if they could come dressed as they were, he assured them that it would be fine.
“They sat there in their shorts, and it worked out really well,” Stevens said.
http://luminanews.com/2016/09/church-marks-decade-water-delivery/#prettyPhoto