By CAROLINE CARMICHAEL/ Staff Writer

Jemison First Baptist Church is sending off its students and teachers from among its congregation at 11 a.m. on Aug. 6 with a special Blessing of the Backpacks ceremony.

“They bring [the backpacks] to church, and then they bring them up front with them,” Kacie Rojas, church secretary and ministry assistant, said.

Rojas said at the start of the morning worship service, children are called to the front of the sanctuary with their backpacks.

“And they pray over them to start the school year,” Rojas said.

Rojas said Senior Pastor Dr. Rex Kent leads the prayer.

After the prayer for blessing, the children are dismissed to children’s church.

The church has been doing the ceremony for years, Rojas said.

Jemison First Baptist Church has been home to Jemison residents since its founding in 1856. Today, it shepherds over 500 members.

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