When Dave Pittman first heard the idea of taking the Baptists on Mission dental bus to the Brightleaf Flea Market in Smithfield last year, the thought resonated with him.
After all, Pittman’s daughter is a vendor at the gigantic flea market located about 35 miles from Raleigh.
But after Pittman approached his pastor about holding a dental clinic at the flea market on a Sunday, an entire church got involved in a unique outreach to its community.
Bethesda Baptist Church in Clayton held its first dental clinic at the flea market on a Sunday in August 2023. Volunteer dentists, dental assistants and dental hygienists along with about 15 members of the church offered physical and spiritual care to people at the market, which has large indoor and outdoor vendor spaces and draws between 9,000 and 10,000 visitors each Sunday throughout the year.
As patients completed paperwork for teeth cleanings, fillings and extractions, church members also counseled and prayed with them, while providing other activities for children. Members also distributed hygiene packets along with gospel tracts in English and Spanish. Many of the market’s vendors and visitors are Latino, and several Spanish-speaking church members were involved in the ministry.
During that first clinic, 46 people had dental needs met, and nine people made professions of faith. The church was excited to have the opportunity to put their faith into action.
“We were more concerned with being the church in our community than just going to church,” said Will King, Bethesda Baptist’s lead pastor. “Jesus healed on the Sabbath, so why should we not minister to people both physically and spiritually on Sunday?”
Following that first August event, the flea market’s owners requested a church service to be held there on Sunday mornings. The services began about three weeks after the initial clinic.
“The owner and the manager were impressed with our sincerity and compassion for the people and how we were attempting to build relationships there,” said Pittman, a member of Bethesda Baptist and volunteer with Baptists on Mission. “They were very comfortable with our efforts and how we respected their property. They have attended several services themselves.”
Bethesda Baptist has worked with Baptists on Mission to host dental clinics at the flea market about once a quarter while continuing to hold regular church services. During the services, members of Bethesda Baptist conduct worship through music and preaching at the flea market. The services have expanded to include a Sunday school for children.
The church hopes to replicate this type of outreach in other surrounding communities where large numbers of unchurched people gather. Bethesda’s goal is to glorify God and launch new churches out of this ministry with disciples intentionally ministering in those places.
Church members understand that in order to reach the lost, they must go to where they live and work. The flea market ministry has caused them to think outside the walls of the church building.
“They now have a real focal point to carry out the Great Commission,” Pittman said. “We are now given the opportunity to interact with and witness to people who may never enter our facilities. We are quickly learning how important building personal relationships are in our efforts to reach people for the Lord.”
(EDITOR’S NOTE — This article originally appeared in the September/October 2024 edition of the Biblical Recorder magazine. The mobile dental bus is one of 19 different ministries of N.C. Baptists on Mission, which are supported by gifts to the North Carolina Missions Offering. To learn more about the mobile dental bus ministry, visit baptistsonmission.org. To learn more about the North Carolina Missions Offering, visit ncmissionsoffering.org.)
