FLORENCE, Ky.—Kentucky Baptists can impact eternity for thousands of people halfway around the world just by filling a bucket.
“More people are dying of AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa than in any other part of the world, and with the help of something as small as a hospice bucket, their eternal lives with Christ could be secured,” said Paul Chitwood, executive director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention.
The convention is teaming up again with Baptist Global Response to provide comfort to people in their final days as they succumb to the HIV/AIDS virus.
Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for two-thirds of the world’s new HIV infections, according to the World Health Organization. The region reported 25.6 million people living with HIV in 2015.
Chitwood has challenged Kentucky Baptists to pack 2,000 hospice buckets and fill a tractor-trailer that will be parked at the KBC Annual Meeting in Florence, Ky., on Nov. 15.
Churches can find a complete list of supplies gathered from the requests of patients and those who care for them. Warm socks, healing lip balm, unscented lotion, soft bed sheets and drinking straws top the list.
Last year, Chitwood had the opportunity to hand-deliver buckets that were packed by Kentucky Baptists to AIDS patients in South Africa.
“We had the joy of seeing some of those patients and their caregivers come to Christ,” Chitwood said. “We thank God for the love and generosity of our churches that haven’t forgotten the least of these.”
In 2014, Kentucky Baptists collected 1,458 buckets at the KBC Annual Meeting in Bowling Green.
“It’s a beautiful way to take the gospel to the lost,” Chitwood said. “Join me in this Great Commission opportunity.”
For more information, visit www.kybaptist.org/buckets.