OUR STORY 301 E. CAPITOL AVE.
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JEFFERSON CITY, MO
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VOLUME 1
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ISSUE 1
Lessons in faith through the eyes of a child
Cooper Feeler gives account of South Dakota mission trip with young perspective
O
n May 31, Cooper Feeler, age ten, arrived at Pine Ridge Reservation of South Dakota for the spiritual adventure of his young life. In his company were nine other First Baptist Church members, among them, his father Jeff Feeler. Surrounded by rolling hills “just like in the movies,” the reservation is home to roughly 34,000. The mission is clear as the community suffers from the impacts of widespread alcohol abuse, poverty, and a staggering suicide rate. Cooper’s ministry in particular was based on one consistently prominent fact. “It takes an Indian five years to trust a white man. The kids don’t have that barrier. They don’t know that history,” Jeff said. Father and son shared a Carlito (left) and laugh as Cooper said of his expeElmer (right) water tree planted rience, “[With me,] it only took them a day.” by Feeler. Cooper began each morning by running up to the gate, welcoming the children with waves and smiles as they arrived by bus for the day. Time was spent playing games, crafting, and laughing in and around the Dream Center, a reservation fixture since 2008, meant to facilitate children’s aspirations. “Since the Dream Center is oriented towards children, using our children to reach them is the best route, building those relationships with [their children] and building a passion in our children,” Jeff said. Cooper bonded quickly and meaningfully.
ANNOUNCEMENTS JULY 12-19, 2015
Team of youth adults will serve in Huntsville, AL, on various projects including Habitat for Humanity, and singing for churches and retirement homes.
“I had a good relationship with a lot of them, but mostly with James and Levi. They just wouldn’t leave my side. They’d stick right by me,” Cooper said. He described James as a “bit ornery” and invited him to plant trees with them. According to Jeff, the kids Feeler and James “wouldn’t listen to the adults, clear area for tree but to Cooper they would.” planting. During his time there, Cooper noticed differences between himself and his reservation playmates. “Each community had small houses and a lot of kids coming out of one house. They lived with their extended families, their grandmas. Some of them don’t get good enough food at their house and they showed up everyday in the same clothes,” Cooper said. These images, along with happy memories, accompanied Cooper home. With mock exasperation and a chuckle, Cooper reported his first order of business upon returning was “to take a nap.” But his tone quickly became serious as he described writing down the name of each child with whom he bonded. With tears in his eyes and a supportive father’s arm around his shoulder, Cooper passionately affirmed his desire to return and continue those relationships. Ultimately, the simplicity of child-like interaction and uninhibited love overcame every cultural barrier through Cooper’s faithfulness. Simply put, Jeff said, “There’s obvious differences in the way the kids are taken care of, but it’s really neat how when you get them together, they just love on each other.”
AUGUST 30, 2015
Save the date for the first Imagine If congregational listening session of the planning and discernment process for the future of First Baptist Church.