Temple Baptist Church hosts annual “Love Center Day”

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) – Whether it’s gloves and hairnets or arts and crafts, Temple Baptist Church has found dozens of ways to give back to the community on Sundays.

“Our slogan is: ‘Love God, Love People and Serve Both,’” said Pastor Trenidy Davis.

“We have groups that are at Camp Shelby for youth competitions. We have people serving at Houses of Hope, Hope Clinic, Edward Street Missions, Christian Services, various fire stations and nursing homes. So today we are simply demonstrating God’s love in a very practical way.”

Although many groups are scattered throughout the Hub City, a few of them stayed at Temple Baptist to pack rice for the Extra Table to be distributed to food-insecure families.

“I love the fact that I know we’re helping people who are struggling with food insecurity. There are various organizations throughout the Pine Belt area that need help and work with volunteers on a daily basis,” said Jennie Hensarling, a member of Temple Baptist. “So when we can make this huge effort upfront, we can really change the overall mission.”

Another group at the church included children in their efforts by coloring birthday cards to match birthday bags for the Edwards Street Community Center. The group also packed pet food and snack bags for cancer patients.

“At any age and at any stage,” Davis said. “We have people from the smallest. We have family activities today that even preschoolers do, and certainly everyone of all ages is serving in different ways today.”

Temple Baptist says while Love the Hub Day is about giving back to Hattiesburg, it’s also an opportunity to teach the next generation how to take action.

“We have our 12-year-old and our almost 20-year-old here, so this is a chance for all of us to come together and be part of the same mission,” Hensarling said.

“We actually also teach 11th grade students here at Temple Baptist Church. That’s why our 11th graders are still here today to serve. So it gives people of different ages and demographics a chance to meet.”

This year, “Love the Hub Day” took place for the third time.

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