Scripture Art with LeAnne

https://www.kentuckytoday.com/baptist_life/westport-road-mission-team-shares-artwork-with-freeda-harris-baptist-center/article_29a0715f-86cb-43a6-b32d-7e0bc6e2290c.html

Westport Road mission team shares artwork with Freeda Harris Baptist Center In an ideal example of cooperative work, Westport Road Baptist Church in Louisville continued its close work with a mission center in eastern Kentucky.

Freeda Harris Center Art Collaboration
Pikeville, KY, April 2026
Freeda Harris was the daughter of a coal Miner. She was very poor. She had no money, but she was also very poor in knowing the love of God, no one had ever told her or her family about God. She grew up not knowing God, with the dream of making money and having fun. She worked her way to become a hairdresser. One of her customers asked her to come to church with her. She resisted at first, but she finally went to church with her friend. Freeda first heard the words of John 3:16.

After she heard the good news of Jesus Christ, she knew she needed to invite Jesus in her heart! Her passion for sharing Christ with others began. She asked God what she could do to serve him. She said, I am not talented, I am not smart, but I can drive a car.

So she got a different job that allowed her to tell children about Jesus. She didn’t want them to grow up, not knowing about the love of Jesus Christ. She was able to buy an old car and rent a house. That’s all she needed. She began to pick up children after school to come and play games, sing songs, have Bible stories and do crafts! Her passion took her to the children’s homes all over the Kentucky mountains around Pike County KY. She drove roads up steep hills, and around sharp curves and on roads that were full of pits and potholes. She drove and drove and picked up children day after day until her car broke down. She prayed for another car. People in the churches heard about Freeda being a missionary without even receiving any missionary salary. They sent enough money to buy her another car and buy more art supplies and refreshments for her children.

She was so happy she could show them how much God loves them and how much she loves them. Over and over again, Freeda would pray for the things she needed new tires, new cars, new houses for the children to meet in, even a water pump for the house that didn’t have running water. She prayed for more supplies, games, and crafts. And every time she prayed, God would provide.
It is in that daily following of Christ that Freeda inspires me. She wanted to make sure every child knew about Jesus. She did that through her constant prayers for everything she needed and her daily car rides to pick up children for learning about Jesus. She used everything she needed for the glory of God, whether it be cars, tires, water, pumps, chairs, games or craft supplies. She would pray without ceasing. She unselfishly lived her life doing what God asked, praying, caring and sharing encouragement in a such a creative way.

So we honored her life and created an example of her passion with this Collaborative Art Project. The children’s Department of WRBC created drawings of children, cars, dogs, houses, water wells, churches, and chickens.

A special group of people from the churches in Pike County from age 2-72 along with our team, came together to paint 54 - 6”x6” canvases.
We created a study of the mountains in 9 different greens. Then added textures created by line design. Each one is a separate piece of artwork.

Children’s drawings from WRBC Cove Kids are added in and around the mountains. We worked together to create a beautiful landscape that will hang at the Freeda Harris Center. This was so fun and came together so amazingly! “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28

Our team was great. Thanks so much to Rachael and French Harmon, Paula Peters, Chuck Holsclaw and Gary McDonald. Josh, Tamia and little Ezekiel Odom were amazing hosts.

Our Pikeville Mission Report is tonight at Westport Road Baptist Church 6:30. Come hear about our Art Collaboration, our Construction Project and more.