Here are just a few of the ministry stories that have been possible because of the Alma Hunt Offering for Virginia Missions. To learn more about this offering and to donate, visit www.almahunt.org.

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Disaster Response: Pray, Give, Go

Over the past two years, Impact Disaster Response has been part of two long-term rebuild operations from storms in Buchanan County in Virginia and Fort Myers in Florida. These responses were possible because volunteers from all over Virginia were able to support local volunteers who were the backbone of each response. As both of those responses have ended, we prepare for wherever future storms may take us. One blessing that has come out of the responses is the number of local volunteers in those communities who have committed to responding the next time a disaster happens elsewhere. As recovery continued, they said they wanted to train not just to respond at home better, but to be able to serve the next community that needs help like they did. Those partnerships, which include training, equipment, and volunteer deployment, are made possible because people pray constantly for the work to be done, give to support it, and go when called. Pray for all who serve and are served in Disaster Response ministry.

Next Gen Ministry

Ministry to the next generation is important, as we seek to empower leaders of all ages to live out their calling. More than 200 people participated in Impact Mission Camps this summer to complete construction projects and build relationships with Virginia homeowners and community members in Mecklenburg, Danville, and Roanoke. Six young adult staff members also served at each camp to provide an environment full of connection, worship, and fun!

BGAV will continue to minister to young adults and their leaders through our youth retreat at Eagle Eyrie October 11-13. This will be a time for youth to learn what it looks like to thrive in their relationship with Jesus Christ through breakouts, worship, and engaging activities.

Please pray for the next generation as they seek to grow in faith and live missionally, and pray for their leaders who are called to minister to young adults in these pivotal moments.

Support for Partners in the Middle East

As we continue to pray for peace in the Middle East, let us remember our brothers and sisters there who are a steady witness of Christ’s presence in the face of uncertainty and danger. When the war in Syria began 13 years ago, many fled to neighboring Lebanon. Churches there faced a decision: Tturn away the Syrians who earlier had brutally occupied their country, or serve the refugees who were in dire need of help. Alia Abboud writes, “In the end, those churches that decided to do something about it took steps of faith that brought them out of their comfort zone and onto a journey of transformation that continues to give glory to God. …”

In the midst of a turbulent political environment and decimated economy, our friends in Lebanon continue demonstrating cutting-edge discipleship, imitating Christ as they minister to former enemies who have been made vulnerable by war and trauma.  

Pray diligently for our partners, support their work, and take inspiration from them for your own discipleship pathway.

Brazilian Missions Exchange

In the early 2000s, Virginia Baptists were in partnership with the Prana Baptist Convention in Brazil. Years before the partnership, the first Baptist missionaries to Brazil in 1881 laid much of the groundwork for millions of Brazilians coming to know the Lord. Now, Brazilians are coming to Virginia to do missions. Steve Dalton, WMUV missions strategists for men/boys, coordinated with a Brazilian soccer team to share the gospel by hosting soccer camps. More than 15,000 refugees live in the Roanoke area. Churches there are welcoming the immigrants among them by meeting basic physical needs and by providing housing, worship space for language congregations, conversational English classes, and more. While here, the Brazilian soccer team hosted camps at three Roanoke churches. These camps assisted local churches in reaching their communities for Christ. The team also visited strategic inner-city locations to reach massive populations of recent immigrant children and their families. Pray that unique cultural opportunities will continue to spread the gospel.

HOPE for Mental Health

What is the difference between mental health and mental illness? Lucianne Warren, WMUV president and licensed clinical social worker, asked 75 people gathered at Dan River Baptist Church in Halifax, VA. Casting a vision for ministry was the goal of the Equip 2:17 conference of the Dan River Baptist Association. Pastors in the association requested training in mental health ministry. WMUV’s HOPE: Mental Health ministry was able to meet that need! As attendees learned facts about mental illness, Team Leader Anteal Gargiulo offered a challenge to the church on how to be on mission in meeting human needs as Christ did. Involvement is critical, because mental illness affects about one in five individuals. Valerie Carter Smith, WMUV executive director/treasurer, shared coping mechanisms and resources in caring and loving for someone who suffers with a chronic mental illness. HOPE team members made themselves available to listen to the struggles of individual church members, sharing specific resources and assisting one congregation in beginning a grief support group. Pray that church leaders will be sensitive to human suffering.

Mom & Me: A Ministry of Connection

Each April, WMUV hosts an overnight conference for moms and daughters (grades one through six) that emphasizes a personal walk with Christ, Bible study, and missions.  It is a time to develop a stronger bond in relationships, opening conversations conducive to spiritual development and a mission-minded lifestyle. Girls and moms have the opportunity to meet a missionary, participate in a mission project, make a craft, play games, learn a praise dance, and participate in worship times.  

Here are some things being said about Mom and Me:

• My favorite thing is getting to spend time with just you, Mom!  

• I really like meeting the missionary.

• I like staying in a lodge with the girls and moms from my church.

• My favorite thing is the mission project.

• I love traveling (in my mind) to different countries.

• Having a purposeful weekend with just me and my daughter is precious.

• This was something God prepared for the two of us.

Pray for family relationships that nurture spiritual development of people of all ages.

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