When students from Jemison First Baptist Church visited one of the poorest streets in Cleveland, Ohio this summer, they met a group of children that made a lasting impression.

“We set out to go on a mission’s trip to show love to those we came into contact with,” Jemison First Baptist member Morgan Gilmore said. “When we went, we ended up falling in love with the children we met, and we want those children to have a good Christmas this year.”

The group from Jemison partnered with a church in Cleveland called “Serve Church” and spent time setting up a backyard Bible club in a poor and dangerous neighborhood.

“On the first day, we had about 10 kids who showed up to our backyard Bible club, and they were all very shy and reserved,” Gilmore said. “A lot of the kids weren’t used to playing outside because it is such a dangerous place. We had to teach them how to play outdoor games like Red Rover because they had never had that opportunity. By the end of the week, we had more than 20 kids coming.”

Gilmore said when the students returned to Jemison, they wanted to find a way to raise money for the kids in Cleveland to be able to have gifts for Christmas.

Gilmore, Lauren Price, Madison Smith and Kelsey Mims came up with the idea to host a student-led Christmas program to raise money for the children in Cleveland.

The program will be held Sunday at 6 p.m. at Jemison First Baptist Church and is titled “Chris-Myth Busters” which focuses on breaking down common myths about Christmas.

“It is meant to be funny because it is designed to be a children’s play, but adults are performing it,” Gilmore said. “We have had so many people at the church help in putting this together, and we are really excited for the community to come out and see it.”

The final production on Sunday will consist of students from the College and Career and middle/high school students from Impact Youth Ministries at JFBC.

There is no charge to attend the program, but a love offering will be taken up to send to the kids in Cleveland.

“I have always enjoyed different charities that you can donate to at Christmas, but I think this hit home when I was able to see firsthand where these children live,” Gilmore said. “I know these children by name, and it means so much to me to know that they will have a good Christmas.”

Gilmore said a lady named “Mrs. Tenny” who works with “Serve Church” decided two years ago to purchase a home in Cleveland and serve as a “safe place” for children living in impoverished neighborhoods.

“She has a home in the heart of all of the danger, and those children feel safe with her,” Gilmore said.

Any money raised at the play on Sunday will be sent directly to “Mrs. Tenny” who will purchase the gifts for the children on Christmas.

“One of the main things we want the children to know is that we love them and care for them and are praying for them throughout the year,” Gilmore said. “We might not be there with them, but they are on our hearts and minds.”

Gilmore said there is no specific amount of money the group is hoping to raise, but hopes individuals from the community will come out and enjoy the program.

“We have prayed about it, and we feel that whatever amount of money is raised is the amount of money God wants us to be able to give to those children,” Gilmore said.

Jemison First Baptist Church is located at 24348 U.S. Highway 31 in Jemison.

For more information about the play, call (205) 688-4446.