Missions
– (Acts 1:8)
Mission Statement
The Board of Missions of River Road Church, Baptist seeks to inspire and promote outward expressions of faith through service by the church, its organizations, and individual members. It develops and implements programs and projects of gifts, service, and Christian outreach in cooperation with mission fellowships in the church, and in local, state, national, and world affiliations, including community service organizations.
Community service opportunities for individuals and groups, along with direct financial support of associations, organizations, education, and advocacy resources are integral parts of River Road Church’s missions efforts. We partner with a wide range of religious and secular organizations to provide a broad spectrum of outreach and services to local, national, and international communities.
Called Out to Serve
As Christ leads us, we go. In his name, we open wide our doors, our hands, and our hearts – bringing our talents and time, our gifts and prayers, to all these ministries of love, and more.
Ways to Get Involved
CBF Global Missions Offering
Our Church partners with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) for its global missions giving.
CBF Field personnel (missionaries) work in ministries from intentional communities with hospitality houses in rural Virginia to helping refugees cope with change and struggle in Uganda. Your gifts to the mission work at RRCB go to support these missionaries as they go about their work. Separately, as a congregation or individually, each person engaging with missionaries can give to support any one ministry or field personnel affiliated with CBF.
CBF seeks transformational development through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the seeking of beloved community, bearing witness to the work and life of Jesus Christ. The Fellowship supports long-term field personnel serving in 30 countries, 50 Student.Go interns and hundreds of short-term mission teams annually. Click here for more information about what CBF is doing.
Catch the Spirit Mission Project Grant Proposal
Do you have a mission project you’d like the congregation to engage in?
You’re invited to bring your creativity to River Road Church, and help the BOM and congregation Catch the Spirit of your passion.
If there is a mission project or program in which you wish River Road Church would be involved and are willing to take the lead in make this effort happen, please fill out the application.
WMU Connectors
River Road Church WMU is a group of women who support missions and emphasize fellowship. The group is responsible for monthly assignments from the RBA to support the programs at the Baptist Centers, Camp Alkulana, the BCMs at VCU and UR, and other mission organizations.
WMU Connectors usually meets monthly on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in a member’s home. Come join us! Visitors and guests are always welcome to attend. For more information please call Wyatt Heisler at 804-741-9320 or check the church calendar.
Hands & Hearts: Nickelsville Mission Trip
The Hands and Hearts Mission Trip serves those in need in the area of Nickelsville, VA, and the projects are determined by the skills and passions of those who sign up. It may range from home repairs and light construction, to assisted living home visitation and food pantry assistance.
If you have any questions, please contact Laura Lee Chandler.
Next trip: April 26-May 1, 2020
CARITAS
Mission Statement: “CARITAS helps our most vulnerable neighbors break the cycles of addiction and homelessness to reclaim their dignity.”
CARITAS, the largest homeless services provider in Central Virginia, transforms lives and restores dignity through its four programs: the Shelter program, The Furniture Bank, CARITAS Works, and The Healing Place. CARITAS has evolved to its current form by filling the gaps in the homeless services system, achieving long-lasting results. Their goal is to prevent people from backsliding and returning to the shelter system because they lack the fundamental skills and resources they need to remain independent.
Our church partners with this organization in many ways, but especially twice a year (October and February) when for one week we host CARITAS guests in our fellowship hall, serving them meals and getting to know them. This hospitality ministry involves children, youth, and adults, allowing us to get to know our neighbors struggling with homelessness.
CrossOver Healthcare Ministry
Founded in 1983, CrossOver Ministry is Virginia’s largest free clinic, providing high quality healthcare services to more than 6,000 uninsured individuals each year at its two locations in Richmond.
River Road Church partners with this organization by providing volunteer medical and nonmedical personnel, sponsoring a circulo de costura (sewing circle) through our Catch the Spirit grants, and donating funds and items for families.
Short-Term Mission Work & Long-Term Partnerships
Bland County – repairing homes and providing care in southwest Virginia for a week each year.
Baptist Centers of Richmond – supporting food pantries and clothes closets with ongoing collections, as well as the Oregon Hill Baptist Center, where we prepare and serve meals to the homeless.
Camp Alkulana – repairing and reading camp facilities for Richmond inner-city youth.
Ghana Mission Trip – Forming a new partnership with churches in Ghana beginning Fall 2017.
Meals on Wheels – delivering meals to homes for FeedMore.
MICAH Initiative/ Oak Grove Elementary School – tutoring and nurturing children through the MICAH initiative.
Panama Medical/Dental Mission Trip – providing a week of clinics in remote communities in Panama in partnership with the Fundación Cristina Medico Social.
Prison Ministries – visiting and encouraging the incarcerated, recently released, and their families.
Renew Crew/Toolbox Ministry – building access ramps and repairing homes in local neighborhoods.
Rise Against Hunger – preparing pre-packaged meals for use overseas.
Missions News
Prayer Scarves for CARITAS 2016-2017
We host CARITAS during the cooler months of the year in October and February. We would like to give a prayer scarf to each CARITAS guest (32 guests) each time they stay with RRCB. CARITAS will be at RRCB October 15-22, 2016 (women) and February 18-25, 2017 (men)....
School Supply Collection 2016
Donate school supplies by August 11!
Disaster Relief: West Virginia Flooding
The BGAV and their Virginia Baptist Disaster Response team are already helping the community in Western Virginia and West Virginia, and so can you. The BGAV offers three ways to help: give, fill a flood bucket, and volunteer. Give: You may give by sending a check made...
Bland Mission Trip 2016
Bland County, VA September 18-23 Projects will include small construction (decks, wheelchair ramps, etc.), and some painting and general upkeep of property is also a possibility. For more information or to join the mission team, please contact Steve Lowery at...
Catch the Spirit June 2016 Update
Catch the Spirit "The church can only call itself a Christian entity if it is also on mission," stated Dan Bagby in the Summer 2016 Explorer. Giant steps have been taken to expand our mission partnership with Westover Baptist Church (WBC) with the support of our...
Hands and Hearts: 2016 Family Mission Trip Team
Hands & Hearts: A Family Mission Experience Family Mission Trip Nickelsville, VA June 20-25, 2016 The inaugural trip this year takes 14 excited members to the southwest part of Virginia, a 5 1/2 hour drive from Church. We will live together in a dorm-like setting,...
2016 Camp Alkulana Offering
May 15 - June 12 River Road Church's Offering Goal: $8,000 “Camp gave me hope that no matter how bad things get, I am worthy of love, just because I am. My life has been saved because of all the love I received.” ~ former camper “For [over] 100 years, Camp Alkulana...
Catch the Spirit May Opportunities
Catch the Spirit Thursday, May 12 Food Pantry Volunteers (3) at Westover (sign up below) 8:30 a.m.: Meet at RRCB to ride together 9:00-11:00 a.m.: Work at food pantry Sundays, May 15, 22, 29 DONATIONS & COLLECTIONS Westover Spirit I – light jackets & blankets...
Oak Grove Elementary Donation: Bikes
Trinity United Methodist Church is partnering with the Micah Initiative and Communities in Schools to make Oak Grove Elementary in the City of Richmond a bikeable and walkable community. This year, the program will be expanded by eliminating school busses and students...
Camp Alkulana Clean Up Day
Saturday, May 20; Team will depart from the North Parking Lot at 6:30 a.m.
Hands & Hearts Sign Up Deadline
Hands & Hearts: A Family Mission Experience Family Mission Trip Nickelsville, VA June 20-25, 2016 Pre-trip Meeting & Registration Deadline Sunday, June 5, 2016 12:15 p.m., Assembly Room $75 Trip Cost Due All families who plan on going on the Family Mission...
WMU Connectors May Meeting
Tuesday, May 10 6:30 p.m., Courtyard The group will gather for a potluck salad supper in the Courtyard, then move inside for a business meeting. All women interested in missions and fellowship are invited to attend. For more information please call Wyatt Heisler...