WMU Mission Action Project: Collecting for God’s Pit Crew Blessing Buckets
The WMU sponsored a Mission Action Project supporting the God’s Pit Crew Blessing Buckets five-gallon buckets filled with lifesustaining essentials and hope for those impacted by natural disasters. These buckets have been described by recipients nationwide as being exactly what they needed during moments of loss and despair. Each Blessing Bucket is carefully packed with items like toilet paper, snacks, bottled water, deodorant, shampoo, and other daily necessities. On the top of every Blessing Bucket is a Bible, because we believe that God’s Holy Word is the most important item of all! Together, we can deliver not just supplies but also encouragement to those in need.
FBC Missions Committee Supports CBFVA Educational Program
The Missions Committee generously donated $3,000 to the CBFVA Education Program, which focuses on preparing the next generation of pastors specifically for Virginia. This program addresses the gap in educational opportunities for pastoral candidates left by the closure of the Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond. Through a collaboration between the Baptist Seminary of Kentucky and the Baptist House of Studies at Union Presbyterian Seminary, students now have two viable educational pathways: an online program through the Baptist Seminary of Kentucky and in-person studies offered at Union Presbyterian Seminary. This initiative ensures that future faith leaders receive the training they need to serve their communities effectively.
Missions Committee Supports the Fuller Center for Housing MHC, Inc.
The MHC Chapter of Habitat for Humanity International has recently rebranded as the Fuller Center for Housing MHC, Inc. This faith-based organization is dedicated to fostering collaborative partnerships with individuals and organizations to provide adequate shelter and expand its capacity to support critical home repairs. In a generous show of support, the Missions Committee has contributed $250 to further the mission of the Fuller Center for Housing MHC.
Building Bridges In Mission Engagement
FBC, as an Encourager Church, actively supports CBF Field Personnel, in order to build bridges in mission engagement. Our church is in covenant with two dedicated field personnel, Jessica Hearne, guiding Grace & Main Fellowship in Danville, Virginia and Karen, serving in North Africa. This partnership includes prayer, programming, short-term engagement, and financial support. The Missions Committee made a contribution of $1,000, allocating $500 each to Jessica and Karen. This financial support serves to help their ministries, reflecting our commitment to making positive change in the communities they serve.
The WMU led a churchwide mission project to support CBF Global Missions, successfully raising $3,801.57—well surpassing our 2024 goal of $2,500! These funds will directly support field personnel worldwide. Your incredible generosity is making a meaningful global impact—thank you!
Sunscreen Sundays at First Baptist Church-Supporting Our Neighbors Experiencing Homelessness
This past June, the Missions Committee sponsored "Sunscreen Sundays" to help support our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Summer can be especially challenging, and your donations of essential items made a meaningful difference. Items collected included sunscreen, hats, water, lightweight clothing, and hygiene products. Thank you for your generosity!
FBC Missions Committee Offers Support to HopeTree Family Services
The FBC Mission Committee generously contributed $200 to HopeTree Family Services, a vital organization dedicated to supporting at-risk children, youth, and their families. Formerly known as Virginia Baptist Children's Home & Family Services, HopeTree offers comprehensive ministries designed to provide care, guidance, and hope to those in need. Additionally, the organization extends its services to adults with intellectual disabilities and their families, addressing a broad spectrum of challenges with compassion and expertise. Located in Salem, VA, HopeTree serves as a cornerstone of support and empowerment for individuals and families across the region.
The mission of the Good News Global Ministry is to place chaplains in jails and prisons to minister to the spiritual needs of inmates and staff. First Baptist Church Missions continues to support this mission by contributing $250 to the Good News Global.
FBC Missions Supports National Night Out for Safer Communities
FBC Missions donated $500 to help sponsor the Children’s Easter Festivities held by the Children’s Committee.
FBC Missions Committee proudly contributed $200 to support the Sheriff’s Office in their efforts during National Night Out. This impactful event fosters safer, more caring communities by building relationships between law enforcement and the neighborhoods they serve. Together, we are creating a stronger, united community!
Operation Inasmuch Project 2024
Operation Inasmuch is a ministry dedicated to empowering congregations and other faith-based organizations to fulfill their calling to serve people in need within their communities. On September 14, First Baptist Church of Martinsville partnered with churches across the Martinsville-Henry County area to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors. The Missions Committee organized a special outreach event at Scrub Board Laundry (located next to Burger King on Church Street) from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., providing quarters to help cover laundry expenses for those in need. This outreach effort provided $250 worth of quarters to help cover laundry expenses for community members in need.
Helping Our Neighbors: Laundry Day Outreach
The Missions Committee sponsored another successful Helping Our Neighbors at the Laundromat event on Saturday, December 7. Members of the committee, along with WMU participants, gathered at the Scrub Board Laundromat in Collinsville from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This special outreach effort provided quarters to help cover laundry expenses for community members in need, spreading kindness and support to neighbors.
The Missions Committee generously donated $200 to support the MHC Warming Center's Sandwich Bag Project, which provides meals to individuals in need. In addition to meals, the Warming Center is seeking donations of essential items such as bottled water, sunscreen, hats, hygiene products, and nonperishable food to further support this initiative.
donated $500 to help sponsor the Children’s Easter Festivities held by the Children’s
The FBC WMU recently contributed granola bars to support the Food Pantry Project in partnership with Patrick Henry Elementary School. This project ensures that students in need have access to weekend food bags, helping to combat hunger in our community. The Food Pantry Project is a collaborative mission action effort led by the Missions Committee, the WMU, and the FBC Church family, demonstrating our collective commitment to serving others with compassion and care. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of these students and their families.
FBC’s Mission in Action
FBC Missions Committee Sponsors
Rise Against Hunger Meal Packing Event
An Amazing Day of Service! On November 16, 2024, 79 volunteers came together at First Baptist Church Martinsville for the Rise Against Hunger Meal Packing Event and made a huge impact! Together, we packed 10,000 meals of rice, soy, veggies, and vitamins to help nourish communities in the Philippines and Haiti. Volunteers from Starling Avenue Baptist, Chatham Heights Baptist, Kings Grant Community, Altrusa International, Patrick & Henry Community College, Magna Vista High, and more joined forces to fight hunger. Thank you to everyone who made this event a success. Together, we’re making a difference! The Missions Committee sponsored this event with a donation of $4,200 to Rise Against Hunger.
Richard’s Christmas Dinner
For over 35 years, First Baptist Church Martinsville has hosted the annual Richard’s Dinner on Christmas Day in collaboration with Grace Network, serving thousands of meals to those in need. This year, organizer Scott Norman, reported distributing 2,344 meals. FBC Missions continued their support by contributing $500, exemplifying the spirit of generosity and community during the holiday season.
More Highlights from an Incredible Day! Check out these amazing moments from the Rise Against Hunger Meal Packing Event hosted by First Baptist Church Martinsville! Community members joined forces to pack 10,000 life-changing meals— made of rice, soy, veggies, and vitamins—that will nourish families in the Philippines and Haiti. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who participated and made this event a success. Together, we’re spreading hope and making a global impact.
More Highlights from this Incredible day!
Mission of Hope Empowering Families
Upon learning that an ELC family had lost their home in a devastating house fire, the Missions Committee immediately stepped in to provide support. They contributed $1,000 to assist the family with securing essential items, offering much-needed relief and stability during this difficult and transitional time.
Mission of Hope
Empowering Families
The Missions Committee, driven by its commitment to make a positive difference demonstrated its commitment to supporting those in need through two heartfelt contributions. First, they generously provided $597 to purchase a washer for an employee experiencing significant hardship, offering muchneeded relief during a challenging time. Additionally, the committee contributed $225 to assist a family in securing essential school supplies at the start of a new school year. These acts of kindness highlight the committee's dedication to making a positive and meaningful impact in our community.
The FBC Missions Committee generously donated $250 to support community outreach efforts at Mulberry Creek Nursing Home. This contribution specifically went towards stocking a Christmas Store, where residents can use "MC Bucks" to shop for festive items. This thoughtful initiative not only spreads holiday cheer but also provides the residents with a special and personalized shopping experience during the holiday season.
Missions Committee Contributes to Piedmont Services
Piedmont Community Services: The Missions Committee, contributed $100 to Piedmont Community Services to support the community's most vulnerable individuals. The donation will assist the Horizons staff in providing care for those with intellectual disabilities and mental health challenges.
First Baptist Church Supports Hurricane Helene Relief Through Mission Action Project
The First Baptist Church WMU Mission Action Project for October focused on supporting disaster relief efforts by collecting monetary donations for God’s Pit Crew. These funds will enable God’s Pit Crew to purchase essential supplies needed in regions affected by Hurricane Helene. To further support this mission, the Missions Committee generously contributed $2,000 toward the relief efforts.
Total funds collected equaled $4,125.
Hope Packs for Inmates
Joe Collins, a dedicated Chaplain, Trainer, and Master Facilitator at Good News Global, has written a heartfelt appeal for support of the “Hope Packs for Inmates” ministry. This inspiring initiative, led by local staff, seeks to bring comfort and encouragement to inmates and staff at the Martinsville City Jail and Henry County Adult Detention Center. Roslyn shared a moving story from an inmate who expressed how receiving one of these small gift bags profoundly touched his heart. The Missions Committee contributed $250 for the Hope Packs for Inmates outreach initiative.
In partnership with WMU, local, state, national and international missions organizations, the FBC Mission Committee and WMU continued to be engaged in the work of caring for our neighbors in Jesus’ name.
Luncheon At King’s Retirement Community
The WMU Mission in Action project in June was a community-driven mission aimed at fostering fellowship and connection within the church family and the Kings' Grant Retirement Community. Through this gathering, we strive to create meaningful interactions, share stories, and enjoy great food in a welcoming environment. Our goal is to strengthen relationships, build bridges between different generations, and create lasting bonds among church members and residents of Kings' Grant.
Churchwide Christmas Missions Offering: Heifer International
In December 2024, our Women on Mission group and the Missions Committee collaborated to sponsor a Heifer International project. With a $1,000 donation from the Missions Committee and your generous support, we raised a total of $3,301.56. Thanks to Heifer International's 4x matching program, our collective impact grew to an incredible $13,206.24! These funds helped us achieve significant milestones: we provided a Water for Life system, supported the education of two girls, established honeybee hives, planted tree seedlings, and contributed to the provision of flocks of chicks, two sheep, four goats, and a heifer. Additionally, we offered training and education to empower communities and gifted one Clean Water system. Thank you for your generosity and for making a lasting global impact!
FBC Missions proudly contributed $1,100 to the Back2School Community Project, helping provide local school-age children with essential supplies and backpacks for a successful start to the school year. This meaningful mission was supported by the Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) and the Missions Committee. Both groups played an active role on the “Big Event” day, where supplies were distributed to children in the Martinsville Cluster. We’re grateful for everyone who participated and made this project a success!
FBC Missions Committee Supporting Hurricane Helene Victims
Eagle Eyrie Capital Improvements 2024
Through the generosity of so many, Eagle Eyrie has been able to make an incredible number of capital improvements in 2024. Eagle Eyrie is excited to report that 2024 has been marked by the highest attendance in five years on The Mountain! As they continually strive to make Eagle Eyrie a more attractive and efficient venue for future events, a number of additional projects have been slated for 2025. The year-end goal for these capital improvements is $40,000. The Missions Committee contributed $250 for continued capital improvements.
The FBC Missions Committee has donated $300 to help purchase essential items like diapers, socks, and blankets for those affected by Hurricane Helene. These much-needed supplies are being collected by Calvary Christian Church, and members are filling a trailer to deliver them to Boone, North Carolina, where they will be distributed to individuals devastated by the storm. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Calvary Christian Church in this important relief effort.
WMU Women’s Mission Project: Laundry Outreach
The WMU women took part in a meaningful mission project to support our neighbors with their laundry needs. Members prepared bags of quarters to distribute at local laundromats, helping with laundry expenses. In addition to assembling the bags, members generously contributed quarters to make this outreach effort possible.
Calvary Christian Church
Women on Mission Action Project for The Horne Home
In June, the WMU Mission Action Project brought a sense of joy and excitement to the residents of the Horne Home with an engaging Bingo and Pizza Party. Participants eagerly marked their cards, anticipating the thrill of winning a “Bingo” and a prize. This mission project created lasting memories for both the residents and volunteers, fostering a strong sense of community and connection. The event not only provided entertainment but also strengthened bonds within the Horne Home, creating a warm atmosphere.
First Baptist Church hosted Grace Network’s annual Pumpkin Patch fundraising sale again this year! FBC provided volunteers at the pumpkin patch.
The Missions Committee made a contribution of $717 to the Alma Hunt Annual Offering, honoring Alma Hunt (1909-2008), a distinguished Virginian known for her global missions service. With a goal of $2,500 set for 2024, the committee's generous donation, along with support from our church family and WMU, led to reaching the target. Thanks to everyone's generosity, we collected a total of $2,500. Grateful for the collective effort and support that made this achievement possible. Thank you!
FBC SERVES AT HENRY COUNTY FOOD PANTRY: COMPASSION IN ACTION
On November 20, members from First Baptist Church Martinsville packed boxes at the Henry County Food Pantry. This is an on
Members of the First Baptist Church dedicated their time to volunteering at the Henry County Food Pantry on June 15 and October 12. A dedicated team from the church worked tirelessly to pack 230 boxes of food in June and 144 boxes in October, benefiting families facing food insecurity. A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who generously volunteered and contributed. Your efforts reflect the compassionate spirit that defines our community. We are excited to announce that the Missions Committee will continue this outreach program in 2025, further extending our commitment to making a positive impact on those in need.
WMU Mission Action – Supporting Residents of the Hairston Home!
In May, the FBC WMU Mission Action Project focused on collecting items for the Hairston Home for Adults, located at 601 Armstead Avenue. The Hairston Home for Adults provides assisted living services that cater to each resident's individual needs, ensuring their routine requirements are met with compassion and care.
Undies Sundays
