Missions

“… be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
– (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

Season of Prayer and Offering for State Missions

September 2 - October 7 Often called The Alma Hunt Season of Prayer and Offering, this is a joint venture of Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia (WMUV) and the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV). Funds given to this offering support all the missions'...

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Standing Rock Mission 2012 – Day 6

August 10, 2012 - Fort Yates, North Dakota "Now while Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfumed oil, and she poured it on his head as he was at the table. When the disciples saw this, they...

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Standing Rock Mission 2012 – Day 5

Standing Rock Mission 2012 – Day 5

August 9, 2012 - Fort Yates, North Dakota "Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus...

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Youth Mission Tour – Day Four

by John Whitty The week is passing by quickly. Last night we were treated to Deacon Andrew Terry’s message pleading for justice and for us to be true to ourselves in our faith journey. It was a moving sermon and afterwards our tour group got to have a question and...

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Standing Rock Mission 2012 – Day 4

August 8, 2012 - Fort Yates, North Dakota "When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God courageously." On August 23rd, we will observe the anniversary of...

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Youth Mission Tour – Day Three

by Michael Whitty This week has been my first mission tour and it has been quite a bonding experience! From paint fumes to electrical work, we have done it all, and all while having a great time! We visited MCV Hospitality House and heard Rev. Andrew Terry remind us...

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Standing Rock Mission 2012 – Day 3

August 7, 2012 - Fort Yates, North Dakota "When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he...

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Youth Mission Tour – Day Two

by Deanna Gulick As Chester will tell you, Mission Tour is about the experience.  Tour is a time of taking ourselves out of our usual comfort zones so that we can become closer and strive towards a common goal.  Tour is about using these new experiences to feel a...

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Standing Rock Mission 2012 – Day 2

August 6, 2012 - Fort Yates, North Dakota Day 2 of our Standing Rock adventure is now complete with much to show for it. As we had yesterday, we assembled in the lobby of our hotel and travelled in a caravan of vehicles to Tipi Wikan for breakfast together and a...

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Youth Mission Tour – Day One

The theme of Mission Tour this year is “Do not be afraid of the light that shines within you!” The mission team this summer is made up a few young adults who traveled with Chester Phelps in the past, some who traveled with Rachel Hoffman, and most who are experiencing...

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