Members of Ives Memorial Baptist Church in Pinebluff are preparing for their second year of ministry through Operation Inasmuch Saturday, March 21. Participants will meet at the church at 8:30 a.m. to receive assignments, and should return by 1 p.m.

"Operation Inasmuch is Christians doing the work of the church instead of church work," says Craig Baggett, event coordinator.

"It is a one-day mission blitz where Christians go outside the walls of the church building to share God's love through acts of service.

"What might happen if we could mobilize significant numbers of church members to go into the community and minister to the hurts and hopes of our neighbors?" Baggett added.

"Our hope is that Operation Inasmuch will connect faith with service, church with community, and neighbors with each other through acts of service in the name of Jesus."

Operation Inasmuch began at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, Fayetteville, in 1995 and has grown to be a popular, interdenominational event. It has been adopted as a major community emphasis by about 500 churches across the nation, as well as England and Canada. Operation Inasmuch is based on Jesus' statement in Matthew 25:40: "Truly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me."

Those wishing to participate, or those who want more information, should contact the office at Ives Memorial Baptist Church by phoning (910) 281-3082) or by e-mailing ivesmembaptistch@pinehurst.net.

The church is located at 125 S. Grape Street in Pinebluff.