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
WMU April Meetings
Day Group Tuesday, April 9 10:00 a.m., Reception Room Following a social time, there will be a program. Connectors Tuesday, April 9 7:00 p.m., Home of Becky Spicer River Road member Judy Collins will speak about her missions work in Panama. Come join us! The RBA WMU...
Maine Summer Mission Tour
Farmington, ME July 19-28, 2013 After much prayerful thought and discussion, the decision has been made to return to the Farmington Conference Center this summer. The tour is open to adults, college students, and (current) high school juniors and seniors, whether you...
CrossOver Challenge 2013
Saturday, May 4 Athletic Fields between Brook Road, Loxely Road, and Rennie Avenue Join Or Give Support to the “River Road Runners,” led by Andy McAllister (804-288-0963). CrossOver will hold their annual road race. This year the race will benefit a Single Mothers’...
Stop Hunger Now
Saturday, April 6 9:00 a.m., Second Baptist Church (Family Life Center) Friends and neighbors from other River Road Corridor churches are also participating in this meal-packing event. This is a family-friendly opportunity; children over the age of six are welcome to...
Standing Rock 2013 Information Meeting
Tuesday, March 19 7:00 p.m., Adult Assembly Room This meeting is for anyone who is interested in going, learning more, or donating to Standing Rock. If you have any questions, please contact Laura Lee Chandler (804-784-4483).
CrossOver Health Care Ministry: A Letter from Dr. Henry Holland
For many years, CrossOver Health Care Ministry has been a part of the River Road Church's Missions budget. From time to time, a team of volunteers staffs a Saturday morning clinic. Two members of our church are regular volunteers at CrossOver Ministry. For two years...
Serving CARITAS
Recently, RRCB youth group served for CARITAS. CARITAS is a service where churches help our society by taking in people who are homeless or unable to take care of themselves. We brought in 40 women last time and had fun while helping them. Our youth group put together...
Season of Prayer and Easter Offering for CBF National and Global Missions
March 3-31 Hands of encouragement to refugees and immigrants are extended by Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) missionaries/field personnel in several areas of North America. Numbers of individuals arrive from war-torn, politically unstable, and/or economically...
Important Missions Dates for March 2013
Food Share - Ongoing collections for the RBA’s Baptist Centers. Leave non-perishable food donations in the green grocery carts in the Upper or Lower Commons. March 2 - New recruit training for Standing Rock mission trip at the Virginia Baptist Resource Center...
WMU March Meetings
Day Group Tuesday, March 12 10:00 a.m., Reception Room Following a social time, there will be a program. Connectors Tuesday, March 12 7:00 p.m., Home of Betty Damon Sheryl Johnson, Interim Minister of Christian Education & Spiritual Formation will be our speaker....
Adult Missions Opportunities Ingathering
Sunday, February 10 at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall
WMU February Meetings
Day Group Tuesday, February 12 10:00 a.m., Reception Room Following a social time, there will be a program. Connectors Tuesday, February 12 TBD, ACCC The group will provide a Valentine Party for the children in the after school program at the African Christian...