Packing Love and Joy (by guest Pat Ingram)

Jesus loves me, this I know…

It’s hard for me to imagine a situation in which my children or grandchildren might not have enough to eat, might not have clothes or shoes that fit, or a coat to put on when it’s cold. One of the things I’ve learned over the years working with Christmas Backpacks is that I really can’t imagine the difficulties that some of the children receiving the backpacks face.  I have seen situations that absolutely broke my heart.  As I talk with children in our church and other churches, I always emphasize that we are telling the children, “Jesus loves you!”  I am so glad that, in the chaos in which some of these children live, we can bring some joy into their lives and help them know that God – and whoever filled that backpack – really does care for them.

A Little Background of the Christmas Backpack Ministry

This is the twelfth year that Alabama Baptist churches and associations have provided Christmas Backpacks for children. The majority of our backpacks go to the Mississippi River Delta, the poorest region in the United States. Over the last 40 years, there has been a dramatic change in the economy there. Jobs have gone to technology and globalization. The result is that half the population is not earning enough to support their families. Many cannot find jobs at all.  Persistent poverty shapes daily existence. Christmas gifts are out of financial reach. That’s where the backpacks come in.

For the past several years, due to the generosity of those who fill Christmas Backpacks, we have been able to provide, through direct partnerships between churches or associations and Alabama Baptist church planters, backpacks to children who live in the poorest places in Alabama. 

With every backpack, there is a story.  A child arrives coatless, and in their Christmas Backpack is a coat just their size and in their favorite color. A child has been begging their parent for a specific Christmas gift – one the parent couldn’t afford – and in their Christmas Backpack is that very gift. A 16-year-old girl told one of the pastors giving out backpacks that this was the very first Christmas gift she had ever received! Many parents have expressed that they had lost belief in God only to rediscover it as they saw God work through the Christmas Backpack their child received. For me, these backpacks are a tangible expression of the love of God. He speaks to those who receive them. And to me, too.  I love how God uses His people to share His love.

The gospel is shared at each event where Christmas Backpacks are given out.  We have heard story after story of parents and children making professions of faith. Each backpack that is given is followed up by someone from the church, church plant, or ministry center that distributes the backpack.

It’s a joy to be involved in Christmas Backpacks. Every single backpack represents Matthew 25:40, which says “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

Jesus loves me, this I know…. We are definitely letting children and their families know that Jesus loves them!

How can you be involved?

• Pray for each child who will receive a Christmas Backpack – most are distributed the first couple of weeks of December.
• Consider becoming involved by providing filled backpacks. Each year, Collection Week is at the end of October.  You can find more information at www.alabamawmu.org/christmasbackpacks or www.alsbom.org/christmasbackpacks.  I have friends who are already collecting items to go in their 2027 Christmas Backpacks. Prayerfully keep your eyes open for items.
• Look around your area. You may not be able to provide Christmas Backpacks this year but there are probably children and families in your area that need help. Your church or a local school counselor may know of needs.