BLUEFIELD — More than 200 youth from Baptist churches across Virginia swarmed the Bluefield College campus June 28-July 4 to make an "impact" on Greater Bluefield through service projects in the community.
Virginia Baptist youth repair the roof on a house in Bluefield. (Photo courtesy Bluefield College)
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On the Bluefield campus as part of Impact Virginia, the teens spent the early mornings and evenings each day in devotion and worship in BC’s Harman Chapel, but the bulk of their daily time in the community, renovating 12 homes in Mercer (W. Va.) and Tazewell (Va.) counties.
Part of the ministry of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, Impact Virginia is a one-week mission opportunity for youth that focuses on home repair and spiritual growth.
Approximately 750 teens in grades 7-12 participate in the program annually, which this year served four regions of Virginia, including Greater Bluefield, Greater Wise, Greater Mathews, and the Eastern Shore.
The ministry is funded by the Alma Hunt Offering for Virginia Baptist Missions, a grant from the Virginia Baptist Foundation and participant fees, as well as contributions from individuals and churches.
“The main goal of Impact Virginia is to make the dwellings of homeowners safer, dryer and warmer,” said Bluefield College campus minister David Taylor.
Representing 14 Baptist churches in Virginia, the youth in Bluefield repaired or constructed porches, ramps, handrails, flooring, roofs, windows, plumbing, landscaping and more.
Using the Bluefield College campus as missions central, the group also participated in daily devotions and worship prior to and at the end of each service day.
A trailer gets a new porch, thanks to Virginia Baptist teenagers. (Photo courtesy Bluefield College)
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“Impact Virginia is an opportunity to not only serve others, but also to grow in Christian faith,” said Taylor. “The daily devotions and worship are as equally important as the mission work provided by the youth.”
As part of its mission, Bluefield College strives to be “in service to God and the global community.” Collaborating with the VBMB to bring Impact Virginia to Bluefield is just one way, Taylor said, the school can fulfill its mission.
“Partnering with the Virginia Baptist Mission Board and Impact Virginia allows us to reach low-income families in Mercer and Tazewell counties,” Taylor said about BC’s third year of participation in the program. “We believe passionately in service above self and strive hard to prepare compassionate students who impact their world.”
Shortly after the youth from Impact Virginia departed, the college welcomed dozens of additional missionaries from Georgia Baptist churches, who come annually to the BC campus to restore homes, support local church ministries, and share the love of the Christian faith in Greater Bluefield.
The 20 participating churches are a part of the Hephzibah and Kilpatrick Baptist associations in Georgia, who partner with the Mountain State Baptist Association in Princeton, W. Va., to bring volunteers to southern West Virginia to conduct ministries in the community and to perform much-needed construction and renovation on churches and private residences.
During the weeklong mission trip headquartered at Bluefield College, the Georgia Baptist missionaries offered Vacation Bible Schools, Backyard Bible Schools, block parties, street ministry programs, prayer walks, and repair work to church and private individual facilities.