Missions/Ministries

Mission Opportunities in the Valley and around the World

Volunteers on missions has become an important element in the strategy to reach the world for Christ. It has always been an important part of the mission of the RVBA, and now, in cooperation with the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, North American Mission Board, and the International Mission Board, we are joining to send volunteers everywhere! Teams from our RVBA churches have gone across town and across the world.

Below is a list of the ways our association provides opportunties to become involved in mission work here in the Valley. If you do not find a place you feel you can help, let us know. We always have a longer list.

Local Mission Volunteer Needs

After-School Care – With more school children needing care between the time school is dismissed and parents get off work, churches are considering beginning an after-school ministry. Already several of our churches have such programs. Leonard Southern serves as the coordinator of this ministry. You can reach him at 380-2044 for assistance.

Acts2 – The association helped in developing a ministry to the highly transitional population of the central-city with a ministry called Acts 2. Patterned after the New Testament church, the mission uses house church and cell group dynamics as a means to win those who live in the central- city.

Baptist Mission Centers – The association supports two inner-city mission centers–Community Center on Wise and 17th St. and Friendship House on Elm Ave. These centers provide children and youth functions, study groups with adults and other programs, including a food pantry.

One of the primary ministries of these centers is that of developing loving, redemptive relatiolnships with folks in the neighborhood. Volunteers are always needed for a variety of ministries. Nathan White is the Baptist Mission Centers Director and Site Coordinator of Baptist Friendship House (343-5437) and Pat Carter is the Site Coordinator of Baptist Community Center (342-8452).

The Mission Centers’ website can be found at http://bmc.rvba.org.

Encourager Ministry – An Encourager ministers for two years as an “Associational Missionary” assisting a church by providing a ministry and developing a leader who will eventually lead that ministry. Eleven Encouragers have been linked to four churches. For more information contact the RVBA Office at 366-7631.

Haitian Mission – The association helped assist Ridgewood Baptist in a ministry to the Haitian community in the Valley. The church now has their own building on Cove Road. The pastor of the church uses the Creole language to share the good news. Over 100 persons have been a part of this congregation. Castin Mesadieu is the pastor and can be reached at 981-0819.  The association is partnering with Belmont Baptist Church with a Haitian mission at their church.

Literacy Ministry – Twenty-five tutors have been trained to serve students who need assistance with reading skills. A search is underway to find a volunteer who will discover new pupils for this important ministry. Currently, we need to identify more prospects. Know someone we can help? If interested in this ministry, call the associational office at 366-7631.

Transformers (Operation Fix-Up) – This is a ministry which links owners of substandard housing with church groups willing to be involved in local construction ministry. Paul McDaniel is the project coordinator of this ministry. Call him at 977-2168, if you or your church would like to assist in fix-up or renovation projects in our Valley.

Partnership Missions – Our Valley sent a number of individuals and teams to countries which partner with Virginia Baptists. In addition, a number of our people went to many other places to do mission work. The Missions Development Council gives financial assistance to stimulate churches and individuals to become involved in Partnership Missions.

Guidelines for aid have been developed. Preference is given to churches sending more than two persons for the first time.

Congregational Nurse Ministry - The association has a nurse on staff who will assist churches in developing a Congregational Nusre Ministry in each church. The congregational nurse would be available to the congregation for nursing needs, referrals and advice. Gerri McDaniel is developing this ministry and can be reached at 977-3903.

Campus Ministries – Craig Tackett is the RVBA Baptist Campus Minister.  Craig serves with volunteers to minister to the various college campuses in the area through the use of both large (Rhythm) and small group activities.

Truck Stop Ministry – The Truck Stop at Troutville is one of the largest on the east coast. Olin Glidden (562-0635) serves as the volunteer chaplain for this unique ministry. He and other volunteers conduct Sunday services and offers counsel and guidance to truckers who need pastoral care. The management of the truck stop provides an office and other assistance to this ministry. Volunteers are always needed and cookies and other “goodies” are welcomed as a gift to these truckers.

WMU – The RVBA Woman’s Missionary Union networks with all churches, state and national WMU organizations to offer all sorts of mission opportunities. Disaster Relief – The association makes every attempt to be prepared for inevitable disasters–both personal and those which may be regional in nature. We maintain disaster readiness with supplies for a regional disaster, and have furniture and clean-up crews to help when fire or other disaster strikes an individual or family. Call Paul McDaniel (977-2168) for information or assistance. Call him to volunteer to help in this important ministry.

WMU Witnessing Booth at the Salem Fair – Thanks for your help with the 2004 Fair!. For more information contact Jeanne Dudley at 375-3246 or jdgmm@QuixNet.net.

Other Ministry Needs Served by the Mission Development Council

The Council also serves as the liaison for our WMU, the Mission Support Ministry, Baptist Men, and our two Baptist Mission Centers. It is the hope of the Missions Development Council that each church will have a similar Council to coordinate the mission efforts of the entire church as well as the mission organizations of the church.