MURFREESBORO — For the past six years, Belle Aire Baptist Church in Murfreesboro has built a powerful connection with Hobgood Elementary, an inner-city school facing numerous low-income challenges.
The partnership, part of pastor Grant Gaines’ initiative “Belle Aire Loves the ’Boro,” has mobilized church members to serve both students and staff in meaningful ways every month through the school year and even through summer break.
“We have always been a missions-minded church but wanted to do more locally,” explains Carolyn Outland, who serves on the ministry team.
The program deploys 14 teams with as many as 200 people serving across Murfreesboro. Approximately 20 members regularly support Hobgood Elementary each month, adapting their approach to meet evolving needs.
Meeting practical needs
While direct religious ministry to children during school hours isn’t permitted, the church finds creative ways to support the community. They’ve established a store where parents of children with perfect monthly attendance can obtain essential items like soap, laundry detergent, and paper towels — simultaneously addressing practical needs while encouraging consistent school attendance.
“Sometimes we find out needs they have and we’ll have prayer with them,” said Outland. “There’s often no system or plan because it changes. God always brings up needs we didn’t plan on. But we try to meet them.”
In one instance, when a student needed glasses but the family couldn’t afford them, the church stepped in to purchase them.
The church also invites students and their families to events like Vacation Bible School, Trunk-or-Treat, and Easter services.
“They bring their parents to these events, and the Gospel is always shared,” Outland notes.
Ann Davenport, another volunteer, adds, “A lot of these kids are not in church anywhere, so we just keep Belle Aire Baptist front and center as a place they can go.”
But the church’s greatest impact has been on the school’s staff, according to Davenport and Outland. From custodians to cafeteria workers to teachers, they serve about 100 people.
“Whatever we do, we do for everyone because we feel like to run a school efficiently, everyone has a part in that,” Outland emphasizes.
Teachers receive handwritten notes of encouragement with scriptures, as well as gifts and treats throughout the school year. The church also hosts meals for the entire staff at least twice annually.
“The biggest thing is to encourage the teachers. It’s a very difficult place to teach,” explains Davenport.
The impact of these simple gestures is profound. “I ran into a teacher recently and she said she has kept every one of those notes on her bulletin board. It just means so much,” Davenport recalls.
Little moments of joy
Following state testing week last month, church members treated students to Kona Ice snow cones. Outland remembers one little girl exclaiming, “This is the best day ever!”
One of the church’s most successful initiatives is “High-Five Fridays,” held monthly throughout the school year. Church members, wearing their Hobgood t-shirts, greet students as they arrive at school, offering high-fives and words of encouragement.
“It’s such a simple thing,” says Davenport, “but the teachers have said on days we do that, the students’ attitudes are entirely different. Their behavior is better. They seem happier.
“When they get off the bus, most of them look so hopeless and forlorn, but by the time they go through 10 or 15 people, laughing and high-fiving, they come out smiling. It’s just that little touch. It’s amazing.”
Someone from the church also prayer walks the campus every week, a practice deeply appreciated by staff members.
“We’ve had numerous staff members tell us they take such comfort that we’re covering their school with prayer,” said Outland. “That’s something any size church can do.”
The church’s efforts are bolstered by a positive relationship with the principal, whom Outland describes as a Christian who “grew up in the school and understands the needs, spiritually as well as physically.”
For churches considering similar outreach, Davenport emphasizes the importance of leadership and organization. “There are so many people who will do local missions, but you have to inspire people and organize,” she said.
Though they serve cups of Kona Ice rather than cups of cold water, the biblical principle of compassionate service remains at the heart of Belle Aire Baptist’s mission.
From providing t-shirts that many students rarely receive new, to serving as classroom readers and test proctors, both Davenport and Outland say their church hopes to continue to demonstrate community impact through consistent, thoughtful engagement.
“It’s made us extremely grateful,” reflects Davenport. “It’s made us a lot more prayerful about the school.” B&R