BLUEFIELD, Va. — One hundred and forty youth from 13 Baptist churches across Virginia converged on Bluefield College, June 27-July 3, to make an “impact” on Greater Bluefield through service projects in the community.
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 11 homes in neaby Tazewell and Mercer counties.
Virginia Baptist teens help build a new porch for a home in southwest Virginia. (Photo courtesy of Bluefield College)
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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. Hundreds of teens in grades 7-12 participate in the program annually, which serves various regions of Virginia.
The Impact youth in southwest Virginia, along with their adult leaders and crew chiefs, built decks, repaired and constructed porches, renovated roofs, and restored windows, plumbing, and more.
“One young couple just purchased a home in Pocahontas, and the husband lost his job,” said Impact construction coordinator Dan Agee. “He has been trying to keep his family warm in the winter, but did not have a good place to store his coal and wood. Impact was able to rebuild a roof on his storage area to keep him from having to dig out his wood and coal with the heavy snow and ice from the winter.”
The teens also added space to houses and constructed ramps to provide better access to homes, and the work in many cases would not have been possible without the Virginia Baptist missionaries in Bluefield.
“These families would not have been able to make the improvements themselves,” said Agee, “and local and government agencies were not able to assist them, but Virginia Baptists were, and we were able to share the love of Christ through this ministry.”
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.
“Bluefield College provided the logistical support we needed with sleeping, eating and worship space,” said Agee, a 1973 BC graduate. “This helps the region see the real partnership acted out between the college and Virginia Baptists. This partnership makes me even more proud to be an alumnus of Bluefield College.”
“Partnering with the Virginia Baptist Mission Board and Impact Virginia allows us to reach low-income families in Mercer and Tazewell counties,” said David Taylor, campus minister at Bluefield, which is in its fourth year of participation in the program. “We believe passionately in service above self and strive hard to prepare compassionate students who impact their world.”