Baptists generally view meeting needs as incomplete unless a spiritual component is included, such as is provided by evangelism and Christian nurture. Baptists also minister toall kinds of people—individuals of all ages; all spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental conditions; all races, cultures, classes, philosophies, and creeds; and all economic, educational, and social levels. Baptist ministry can be found in a wide variety of places. Inner city slums, prisons, military camps, hospitals, rural areas, refugee centers, disaster sites—on and on the list goes of places where Baptists minister. Baptist ministries can be found locally, regionally, nationally, and throughout the world. Methods of Ministry Baptist ministry is delivered by an extensive array of methods. These methods are utilized by individuals, churches, institutions, and denominational organizations such as associations and conventions. Individual Baptists, in keeping with the example and commands of Jesus, minister to human need. On their own, apart from any organization, Baptists bind the wounds of the brokenhearted, visit the sick and dying, encourage the depressed, and conduct multiple other ministries. Furthermore, dedicated individuals make up the corps of volunteers and staff members who enable churches and other organizations to minister to people. Baptist churchesof various sizes and locations minister to human need. In addition to meeting spiritual needs through evangelism and Christian nurture, churches meet other aspects of human hurt—physical, mental, emotional, and social. Counseling for the distressed, food for the hungry, clothes for the poor, transportation for the disabled—the list of ministries is practically endless. Baptist institutionsminister to human need. Baptists founded schools and colleges to provide for the educational needs of people before public schools and tax-supported colleges existed. Institutions to care for orphaned and otherwise needy children are among the oldest Baptist institutions. Baptists support institutions to care for the elderly. Baptist hospitals and clinics minister through medical care, extensive chaplaincy services, and charity programs. Many institutions send staff members and volunteers to various parts of the world to perform ministry. Baptist organizationsof different kinds meet the needs of people in numerous ways. Some of these function in times of natural disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes, to care for those adversely affected. The organizations supply food, water, and clothes and help to rebuild homes and churches. Others function with ongoing programs, such as job training for the unemployed and literacy training for those who cannot read. Some of these organizations act on their own, while others work in collaboration with various religious and secular groups. Baptist conventions, unions, associations, and networksof churches foster many of these institutions and organizations, channel funds to them given by individuals and churches, and help to coordinate ministry efforts. have done it unto st of these my done it unto me.” w25:40
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