BIG A CLUB

Big A Club is a weekly afterschool children’s Bible ministry for grades 3-6 at First Baptist Church, Hampton, TN with more than 60 students enrolled. Students arrive by school bus, eat a meal, and recite the pledges of the American flag, the Christian flag, and the Bible. They rotate through Bible story time, recreation, crafts, and music before parents arrive at the end of the night.

The name “Big A” comes from the club’s motto: “You must love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, with ALL your soul, and with ALL your mind” (Matthew 22:37).

• Hampton First Baptist is a small, rural, Southern Baptist church located in Carter County, TN.
• Tennessee has 95 counties and Carter County is the 14th poorest county in the state.
• Carter county has the 10th lowest median household income rank at $31,842. Many of the Big A children come from families that struggle to provide food and basic toiletries for their children. Although a large percentage of the families are receiving food stamps, this assistance cannot be used for personal hygiene items.
• The community rests in the shadow of the Appalachian Mountains and is served by one elementary school – Hampton Elementary School.
• Due to the large percentage of students eligible for free or reduced breakfast and lunch in Carter County schools, the county school board voted to provide free and reduced meals to ALL students in the school system.

Hampton First Baptist is a member of the Watauga Baptist Association and supports the Southern Baptist Convention and the Cooperative Program. The church has a Sunday school attendance of 40-45 each week and has an annual budget of less than $85,000. Providing for the needs of the BIG A children is a challenge but God has given them great opportunities to impact their lives. Hampton Baptist BIG A Club needs partnerships with co-laborers in Christ.