More than two dozen children received an early Christmas at Empowering Word Ministries in Wadesboro on Nov. 17.

Travis Walls and his sister-in-law, Atigone, went to the event with Travis’ four children, Travis, 9, Joshua, 7, Clayton, 6 and Andrew, 3.

It was the first time Walls had been to the church.

“I didn’t even know it was here,” he said.

After finding out about the event, he signed his family up. As soon as Walls’ children arrived home from school, they were eager to get to the church, he said.

Walls’ family and several others were treated to a large holiday meal before volunteers brought out the gifts.

“Thank you, Jesus,” Walls said as his children opened gifts.

The children received bicycles, trucks, cars and clothes.

“I thank God and Jesus for everything,” Walls said. “If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t have gotten them.”

Zion Mongo, 9, received a bike, Nerf gun and clothes.

His new bike is bigger than his old one, which has a flat tire, Mongo said. He also likes the bright red color of his new bike.

The church served a smaller number of families this year but gave more items to those children than volunteers could give kids in a larger group, according to Teresa Capers, a minister at the church.

“We kind of stepped back so we could do more,” she said.

All girls were given tablets, tablet covers and headsets, and every boy was given a bike. The kids also received Nerf footballs, dolls, clothes and remote-controlled cars.

“This is our time of year,” Capers said. “It’s just before the holiday season officially begins, and it puts a smile on your face. I’m just excited about it.”

Caper has attended for about 16 years, and the church has done the event since before she arrived, she said. She guessed that the church has done the event for at least 16 to 20 years.

“It’s a labor of love,” Capers said. “We really enjoy it. The congregation and people really help out. It’s fun and exciting.”

To donate for the church’s 2016 Christmas in November, call Empowering Word Ministries at 704-694-3013. Both toy and monetary donations are accepted, and individual children can be sponsored.

Reach reporter Imari Scarbrough at 704-994-5471 and follow her on Twitter @ImariScarbrough.

James Cohen stopped for a photo as he gave a young boy one of several gifts at Empowering Word Ministries’ Christmas in November.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_IMG_29211.jpgJames Cohen stopped for a photo as he gave a young boy one of several gifts at Empowering Word Ministries’ Christmas in November.

A volunteer helped a toddler open one of her gifts at the event.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_IMG_2930-cropped1.jpgA volunteer helped a toddler open one of her gifts at the event.

Apostle Reginald White watched as one girl opened her gifts.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_IMG_29921.jpgApostle Reginald White watched as one girl opened her gifts.

Contributed photo Apostle Reginald White gave one young boy a push on his brand-new bicycle.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_IMG_2976-cropped1.jpgContributed photo Apostle Reginald White gave one young boy a push on his brand-new bicycle.

By Imari Scarbrough

iscarbrough@civitasmedia.com