By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

Churches will mirror Jesus’ message of service as church members take on countywide community projects during Serve Shelby 2012 Oct. 6.

“It’s a day we’ve done in the past, and we kind of expanded it this year. I’m so excited this year it’s truly a multi-denominational day,” said Shirley Stone, director of mission involvement at Westwood Baptist in Alabaster.

Church members of Westwood’s Alabaster, Calera and Montevallo campuses, First Baptist Church of Alabaster, Evangel Presbyterian PCA and Bethel Baptist in Columbiana will converge upon schools, fire and police departments, nursing homes, housing projects and more in an effort to serve.

“We think it’s very important that we reach out to the community and serve in the community where we minister,” said Rev. Alex Goodsell, associate pastor of Evangel Presbyterian. “In a sense, we feel obligated to the community because our presence is here, we’re in Alabaster. We believe it’s important to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the community.”

Stone said more than 125 people have signed up to participate, but she expects more to come to the kick off at 8 a.m. at Buck Creek Park Oct. 6.

“We do it because we can, because we have the means to do so. There’s no limitation on who it is you do good to,” Stone said. “I’m so excited it’s going to hopefully grow. We have all matching T-shirts. Hopefully we spark a lot of interest this year, and hopefully next year, we’ll have even more churches join together.”

Goodsell said Serve Shelby offers an opportunity for churches to minister.

“To do things for free and not expect anything in return, it’s a reflection of the gospel,” Goodsell said. “Christ gave his life for us, and surely we can give a morning and an afternoon every once in a while to give to others.”

To sign up to serve, visit Wwbc.org.