MOUNT JULIET — Shiloh Baptist Church launched its annual Christmas Backpacks for Children and Teens campaign with its Way Walkers children’s ministry leading the way.
As part of their fall mission action project, the children prepared 12 backpacks filled with clothing, toys, hygiene items, non-perishable snacks, and other fun extras. Each backpack included a personal letter from the child who packed it, an age-appropriate Bible, and a gospel presentation through the Christmas story.
Once the backpacks were zipped up and identified with ribbons, the children held them in their laps, hugged each one, and prayed for the child who would receive the Christmas gift. This set the tone for the rest of the congregation, which joined the following weekend to continue the effort in a church-wide workday. Shiloh members packed an additional 50 backpacks toward their goal of 70 total.
The backpack effort runs alongside the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions, through which the congregation has given nearly $6,000 this year. “Balancing both initiatives during the same season highlights Shiloh’s commitment to missions both financially and through hands-on ministry,” observed Pastor Stephen Young.
The completed backpacks were placed in Shiloh’s portable baptistery so that the whole congregation could pray over them and for the children to whom they will go. “We purchased a galvanized stock tank last year so that we could be more mobile with our baptisms. In many ways, it has become symbolic of hands-on ministry, so it seemed like a perfect receptacle for the backpacks,” Pastor Stephen added. The baptistery now bears more than 20 signatures from those who have trusted Christ and been baptized, a visible reminder of gospel transformation and the mission that drives Shiloh Baptist Church.
Partnering with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, Shiloh meets in the Missions Mobilization Center but is prayerfully preparing to begin construction on its own building. In the meantime, it remains active in community and associational work.
This fall, Shiloh hosted the Wilson County Baptist Association annual meeting, is organizing a community fall outreach event, and will lead the Mt. Juliet Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in the town square next month.

This is Shiloh’s second consecutive year contributing significantly to the statewide Christmas Backpack initiative. The church was featured in the Baptist and Reflector in 2024 for meeting one percent of the statewide goal, a milestone it hopes to reach again this year.

The Christmas Backpacks for Children and Teens ministry provides gifts, Bibles, and gospel materials to children and teens in need across Tennessee, connecting compassion with evangelism through local churches.

For more information about the Christmas Backpack initiative, visit www.tnbaptist.org/backpacks.