People wait in line to get into First Church, Coeburn, for shoes.
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COEBURN, Va. — There were too many smiles to count on Nov. 13 at First Baptist Church in Coeburn as over 300 children received a free pair of new shoes and socks and heard a gospel message through a ministry called Samaritan’s Feet.
First Baptist partnered with Southbrook Baptist Church of Charlotte, N.C. to provide this much-needed ministry. A team of 28 adults and children from Southbrook arrived Friday evening with 400 pairs of new shoes and socks and set up a shoe store in the church fellowship hall.
A volunteer helps a child select a new pair of shoes and socks.
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By 10 a.m. on Saturday, a line of several hundred people had formed outside. The children were brought in, up to 14 at a time, and were assisted by volunteers from both churches who measured their feet and removed their old shoes and socks. The volunteers then washed their feet while sharing the gospel message. They helped them select socks and shoes and prayed with the family before they left.
Many area children came wearing shoes that did not fit or were badly worn and left the church with a brand new pair. Many parents and children expressed gratitude for the ministry. One mother remarked she was glad the churches were doing this as she did not have the money to purchase new shoes for her children this year.