Missionaries creatively use Lego winter village to spotlight mission work during Christmas

Brooke Mannion — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:00:00 +0000

More than 20,000 LEGO pieces, including over 100 minifigures, were on display at the Hillcrest Baptist Church missions house during the Christmas season.

_{Cullen’s collection contains more than 20,000 LEGO pieces, including over 100 mini figures.}

Missionary, Keegan Cullen, who has been collecting winter-themed LEGO village sets since 2009, was enthused to share his collection with others while in the states to rest and rejuvenate before returning to the mission field in 2026.

“Having an open house for church members was a great opportunity to talk with them and share what we have been doing overseas,” said Cullen. Keegan and his wife, Karmen, shared prayer cards with those who stopped by and had a fun contest for children to search for 10 Star Wars minifigures hidden in the display. The prize for finding all 10 characters being a Christmas-time favorite, a candy cane.

_{Missionaries, Keegan and Karmen Cullen, will be returning to the mission field in 2026 to serve alongside a church plant in Spain. In a town with around 30,000 unreached college students, they will have great opportunities for gospel conversations as they help the college ministry begin.}

Also on display was ceramic pottery made by Karmen, something she learned to do in high school and developed a passion for later in college. Her pottery items were works of art with practicality, and included toothbrush holders, spoon rests and travel cups for hot tea or coffee.

Having been back in the states for six months, the Cullens have enjoyed spending time with family and friends, a welcome opportunity to recover from the homesickness and loneliness that can result from serving in long-term international missions. They have also engaged with the local community by volunteering weekly in the Baptist Collegiate Ministries at the University of West Florida and Pensacola State College.

As they prepare to return to the mission field, they look forward to “starting fresh with a new set of people who have never heard the gospel,” said Cullen. Going to a city in Spain where around 30,000 unreached college students reside, the Cullens are excited to serve alongside a church plant, where students will have access to a local congregation where they can grow in faith and be discipled.

Hillcrest Baptist Church already has plans to send summer interns and a mission team to help launch the new college ministry in 2026. “While we expect language barriers and other challenges along the way, we are looking forward to having a great church partnership while we serve on mission in Spain,” said Cullen.

_{Children enjoyed searching for the hidden Star Wars mini figures hidden throughout the scene, while adults learned about the work the Cullens are doing on mission in Spain.}

Legos – Florida Baptist Convention

Missionaries creatively use Lego winter village to spotlight mission work during Christmas