

For the past five years, every May, when strawberries start to ripen in the area, the WAC at First Free Will Baptist Church in Gastonia, North Carolina, has hosted a churchwide household shower for the Provision Closet. President Carol Falls utilizes her strawberry dishes and accessories for this “Berry Shower for Missionaries.” Women plan a smorgasbord of fruity foods: cakes, pies, salads, cheeseballs, sandwiches and even homemade strawberry ice cream. The event offers a wonderful time of fellowship and fun for the entire church family who have embraced the cause with much enthusiasm. Adult Sunday school classes contribute big ticket items while families and individuals provide smaller housewares. One men’s Sunday school class helps with transporting the goods to the WNAC office. Each year, the Gastonia Church family collects close to $2,000 worth of merchandise and gift cards. This year’s shower exceeded expectations and netted $2,481.50 worth of provisions ($2,111.50 in purchased items, $335 in gift cards, and $35 in cash).
The 2012 Berry Shower proved even more special as Elizabeth Hodges, WNAC’s executive director, and Phyllis York, WNAC administrative assistant, joined this growing, enthusiastic, missions-minded group in their festivities. The two women spoke Saturday evening and again Sunday about the work and ministry of WNAC.