Most churches hung up their keys, put the puppets away and parked their buses years ago — but not so for the Joy Bus ministry at the 400-member Millington, Tenn., church, near Memphis.

Millington rolled its first two buses in 1970 when bus ministry was at its height in churches of Christ as a way to bring in the unchurched, usually children and often those from poorer neighborhoods.

Three decades later, says Howard Howell, youth minister and bus director, Millington members continue to man five bus routes, attend bus worker meetings and knock doors every Saturday and get up early on Sunday mornings to take to the road.

In a typical week, 125 riders, mostly children and teenagers make the trip.

Howell says the church’s motivation is simple. “We love people — young and old — and want them to hear about Jesus. ... Most of the ones who want to come might be young, poor or from a different race. I’m thankful the Millington church does not have a problem with a person coming that fits this or any other description.”

Millington’s program includes Bible classes, special worship hours for various ages, awards to top buses and outings. The church is able to deal with discipline problems — which caused the demise of many a bus ministry — with a demerit system, Howell says.

A number of today’s church members are former riders, Howell said, and some are active in the bus program.

E-MAIL Howell at cochrist@bigriver.net.