Crosscreek Baptist Church celebrated a “blessing of the backpacks” for children returning to school this fall. On Sunday, Aug. 19, Crosscreek’s children and friends brought their backpacks to church in a final step of preparation for this school year. During worship, the children lined the church’s central aisle as the congregation turned to face them. Pastor Jay Kieve asked God’s blessing on parents and guardians, teachers, bus drivers and other school administrators and workers. Youth and Children’s Minister Dixie Ford prayed for blessing for the children and asked God to grant them backpacks “whose zippers never get stuck and straps never break” as they support a good school year. Crosscreek’s annual “blessing of the backpacks” completes a week of prayer for the beginning of school that included Pastor Kieve visiting many of the congregation’s school teachers during pre-planning to bless their classrooms and offer encouragement for the school year.