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
Oak Grove Elementary Spring Break Collection
On behalf of many of the neediest children at Oak Grove Elementary School and their families, thank you so much for your overwhelming response to the Micah Initativeʼs request for food donations to help during Spring Break! Our church and Trinity UMC worked together...
Standing Rock 2015 Trip Cancelled
In 2009 and 2010, members of RRCB ventured to North Dakota for mission work with the Standing Rock Sioux Indians through the WMU of Virginia. Since 2011, RRCB has traveled to Standing Rock the week following the WMU week, to offer extra assistance to Pastor Boots and...
Stop Hunger Now
Saturday, May 2, in the Fellowship Hall
Oak Grove Elementary – Urgent Food Need
Oak Grove Elementary School, our Micah Initiative school, is in urgent need of food for spring break food bags. Please bring donations by Sunday, March 29.
Camp Alkulana Soup Label Collection
Camp Alkulana is collecting Campbell's Soup labels. As part of the Campbell's Soup program, the camp has been able to obtain additional art supplies, sports equipment, and a computer. If you have Campbell's Soup labels to contribute, please leave them on the missions...
CrossOver Challenge
The CrossOver Challenge is on Saturday, April 11. Join or support the RRCB team!
WMU March Meeting
Connectors Tuesday, March 10 7:00 p.m., Home of Patsy Kendall Valerie Carter, Executive Director of Womens Missionary Union of Virginia, will be the speaker. Visitors and guests are always welcome. For more information call Wyatt Heisler (804-741- 9320) or Patsy...
Camp Alkulana’s 100th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, March 21 2:00 p.m., Richmond’s First Baptist Church Generations of campers, counselors, and Alkulana supporters will gather to celebrate the ministry’s legacy and all of those who have worked to sustain it. A reception will follow the formal program. RSVP...
Souper Bowl
Sunday, February 1 – click for more information about bringing donations
The $500 Challenge
What if somebody handed you a check for $500 and said, "do something good with this"? What would you do? What if that somebody was your church? That's exactly what happened to members of Chicago's LaSalle Street Church. In September, 320 of the church's regular...
CARITAS February 21-28
Find out how you can help as we host 40 women.
WMU January Meeting
Connectors Tuesday, January 13 7:00 p.m., Home of Wyatt Heisler For more information, please contact Wyatt Heisler (804-741-9320). The RBA WMU Mission Involvement Assignment for the month of January: Provide money to the Oregon Hill Baptist Center for a Youth Summer...