By J.A. Buchholz

JACKSONVILLE — The Rev. Kim Cott thought she would give her family a break after the exhaustive task of moving to a new home in a new city by enjoying a swim in the neighborhood pool.

Cott thought that would also give her eight-year-old daughter, Brittany, an opportunity to make some new friends.

Brittany had more important things in mind.

“She went over to a girl in the pool and invited her to the church [River of Life Mission] I was sent to start,” Cott recalled. “She asked me where the church was, and I was thinking in boxes in the rental house. It was our second day in Jacksonville. That’s just who Brittany is. She is such a passionate person about bringing people to church.”

Fast-forward two years to the 2003 Florida Annual Conference Event last May. Ten-year-old Brittany Cott was center stage accepting the Denman Award for Evangelist of the Year.

In a situation that would have intimidated many adults, Cott appeared at ease. Standing on a box to reach the microphone, she brought the crowd to its feet as she challenged the audience to evangelize wherever they are.

“It just came to me,” she said. “ I wrote it in 15 or 20 minutes. I knew what I wanted to say.”

Cott has some words of advice for church members who just can’t summon the courage to invite friends and strangers to their church for worship opportunities.

“I don’t really work at it,” she said. “When I talk to people it just comes out. It’s easy for people to get out there and tell people about their churches. It’s not just what pastors do. I guess it’s easy for me because I like to talk.”

Joan Howell will never forget the little blonde-headed girl who greeted her when she walked through the church doors about 18 months ago.

“I thought she was very incredibly inviting and very mature,” said Howell, who is now a member at the church. “She was very welcoming, telling me where the nursery was and all the programs at the church.”

Howell was so impressed by Cott she nominated her for the Denman Award.

“She just came to my mind when we were talking about it,” Howell said. “She is a witness, a little evangelist. She has a gift.

“I learn something from her all the time. We were at the mall one day and she saw someone that hadn’t been in church in a while. She made a beeline for them. She loves the Lord and wants everyone to know him.”

Even at 7:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning. Cott was at a Saturday night sleepover at the home of friend, but that didn’t stop her from calling friends to make sure they were up and getting ready for church, Kim Cott said. She said Brittany has an innate ability to reach people for Jesus Christ.

“I guess some adults need to become more like children and not be embarrassed about telling people about Jesus Christ and church,” Cott said. “We need to get out there. It really is easy.”

While encouraging people to come to church is a part of Brittany’s life, there’s another side as well, Cott said.

“She doesn’t know if she wants to be an actress, model or pastor,” Cott said. “She’s tried basketball, dance and gymnastics. She’s looking for her thing.”

Right now one of Brittany’s favorite things is participating in a Bible study group she started for girls her age, but she has her eye on another activity when she gets a little older.