Over the past year or so, we’ve been developing a relationship with the Baptist General Association of Virginia (www.bgav.org). I’m convinced that the future of the church in North America will require more partnership across denominational lines and I’m so encouraged by the possibilities of such partnerships. One of the ministries that our friends in the BGAV operate is a Disaster Response ministry (https://bgavdr.org). They have graciously opened the door for our churches in the CGGC to come alongside them as they serve in the disaster relief effort in North Carolina over the months to come.
We have received word that our friends from Virginia Baptist Disaster Response will be serving in Beaufort County and Jones County, North Carolina through the month of November and potentially into December. Their initial response helped provide meals for the first two weeks of the crisis (they have mobile food units). Their work now and in future months will be focused on clean up and initial tear out to be followed with rebuilding efforts. They have informed us that they have the capacity for about 80 volunteers each week between now and early December.
I don’t know about you, but I’m often overwhelmed by the need I see in our world. Most of us want to do something to help, but we often don’t know how or where to start. Perhaps you have some folks in your congregation that would like to take a week to serve in the recovery efforts in North Carolina. We’re excited about the opportunity to partner with the BGAV to do just that. I can envision teams from congregations across the CGGC taking a week to serve others in Jesus’ name during their time of great need.
If you are interested in this possibility, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] or 419-424-1961 or visit the Virginia Baptist Disaster Response website at https://bgavdr.org. They have an online training program that you can utilize as well all the pertinent information you need to plan for this type of ministry.
I know in the recent past, many of our folks around the CGGC have wanted to get involved in this kind of ministry and often reached out to our office for places to go or ideas of where to start. I’m so grateful to have an experienced partner in ministry who is able to help us go to both show and tell the Gospel of Jesus Christ in times like this.
We have a great opportunity to respond and help others in their time of need.
Christ’s Peace,
Lance