Thanks to a contribution from a former Richmond church, Virginia Baptists will soon have a children’s ministry disaster response unit.
The unit, a 16-foot long, 8-foot wide trailer, will be added to Virginia Baptists growing disaster relief program and provide a base for ministry to infants and preschoolers through grade 2 in regions hit by disasters such as hurricanes or floods.
Trustees of Weatherford Memorial Baptist Church in Richmond, which disbanded last year, have provided $22,000 for the response unit.
The church was disbanded and given to the St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Richmond and funds remaining in the church’s name are being used for a variety of ministries.
The idea of the children’s ministry disaster response unit was generated last fall after hurricanes devastated the Gulf Coast and Virginia Baptists prepared to accomodate a wave of displaced persons.
“A children’s minister called me and asked what we planned to do for the children who would be coming,” said Diane Smith, children’s ministry strategist for the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. “I began to think about it.”
Smith talked with VBMB executive director John Upton and Terry Raines, the board’s disaster relief coordinator, and the group agreed to seek funding for the project.
Later, Smith mentioned the idea to Gayle Bradley, former secretary at Weatherford Memorial, who encouraged Smith to talk to the church’s trustees, assigned the task of distributing the monies left in funds when Weatherford gave its buildings and land to the St. Paul’s Baptist Church.
“We asked them for $10,000,” said Smith. “They gave us $22,000.”
Smith said Virginia Baptists are grateful for Weatherford’s gift. “This will make a big impact on diaster relief ministries and is an impressive legacy for Weatherford,” she said.
Smith said the trailer will be equipped with portable cribs for babies and toys and educational materials for children up to about age 8.
North Carolina Baptists own a children’s ministry disaster relief unit. Smith said the group hopes to garner ideas from that unit. Toward that end, Smith and several other Virginia Baptists will participate this month in North Carolina’s disaster relief training, where ministry to children will be among the areas discussed.
Staff report