Love Out Loud kicks off fifth year of service next week
Love Out Loud is what many consider a “mission trip inside Neshoba County,” according to David Addy, who hopes the event will present an opportunity for the community to show their love and support for people in need.
Addy, the Director of Missions at the Neshoba Baptist Center, said this event marks the fifth year for Love Out Loud in Neshoba County, with about 40 ministry sites this year.
Love Out Loud 2024 starts on Monday, June 17, and runs through Thursday, June 20.
“The key for Love Out Loud is to minister to the community, show the love of Christ, and give people the opportunity to serve as well,” Addy said. “By serving, you truly understand how Christ served you.”
Anyone interested in participating in Love Out Loud should come to the Neshoba Baptist Center, located at 903 Valley View Drive, and choose a task from the various ministry sites. Online registration is also available.
Addy said this year’s activities include a free basketball camp at the Church at the Arc, free car washes and guided prayer at the Methodist Church, random acts of kindness like yard clean-ups, painting, church projects, daycare, and nursing home puppet shows, making goodie bags for soldiers and those in need, and much more.
“We start each day at around 7:30-7:45 a.m.,” Addy said. “Participants will come to the Baptist Center, talk to a representative from a ministry site, learn about the service they will be doing, how many people are needed, and sign up. We’ll have a short time of worship and a devotion, then send everyone out to a ministry site to serve. We knock off each day around noon.”
During the week of Love Out Loud, there will be a worship service at the Ellis Theatre at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19, featuring guest speaker Rick Burgess of “Rick & Bubba” and Williamsville Worship from Williamsville Baptist Church in Kosciusko.
Additionally, on Wednesday, there will be a free dog vaccination clinic at the Baptist Center from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., where Dr. Thomas Tischer of Neshoba Animal Clinic will provide the vaccinations.
On Thursday, participants will return to the Baptist Center at 11:30 a.m. for a “block party” with hamburgers, hotdogs, and a speaker.
“I hope God continues to allow us to do this, and that we continue to have opportunities to minister to new people, new places, and get more involved,” Addy said.
Addy said last year’s event saw about 450 participants, the highest number so far.
“We are accepting donations to help fund the event along with various items,” he added. “God taught us to love our neighbor, and that’s exactly what we’re doing with Love Out Loud.”
Donations being accepted this year include new stuffed animals, bed-in-a-bag sets, blankets, twin sheet sets, pillows, combs, socks, winter hats/gloves, old t-shirts, towels and bath cloths, pet treats and toys, backpacks, notebook paper, primary tablets, small notepads, washable markers, crayons, art supplies, diapers, baby shampoo and body wash, baby wipes, sippy cups, used sports equipment, devotion books, small Ziploc bags, gallon-size Ziploc bags, cookies, Kleenex, bottled water, gum, apples, peppermints, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, fingernail clippers, band-aids, lip balm, Bibles, and games.
For more information about Love Out Loud, contact David Addy at (601) 741-2225 or email addyneshoba@gmail.com. To register online, visit www.loveoutloudneshoba.splashthat.com