The Virginia Baptist Mission Board together with Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia held a reception May 4 to thank and honor volunteers who donate hundreds of hours at the Virginia Baptist Resource Center.
The event was hosted by volunteer coordinator Ruth Guill and by Jerry Jones, team leader of the glocal missions and evangelism team. Jones also provided entertainment.
Approximately 70 volunteers from 32 churches enjoyed the event, held at Grace Baptist Church in Richmond.
Ruth Guill has been volunteer coordinator since 1995, a job she feels is very rewarding, “especially in getting to know these great Virginia Baptists. They are precious folks and busy folks, too! They help keep me energized. I must call them before 9 a.m. or they are out of pocket — on the street — for most of the day. They apologize when they have to say ‘no.' They give the gift of love and care for missions and are making a difference. A big thank you to all of those who volunteer — past, present and future.”
Volunteers are vital to helping things run smoothly at the Virginia Baptist Resource Center. They help with such tasks as stuffing mailouts, running the main switchboard, collating materials, answering phones, entering data, proofreading and helping staff with the many logistical details of events and retreats, such as the annual 21C Evangelism Conference and Family Missions Week. Many volunteers helped staff the phones after Hurricane Katrina and played a key role in finding other volunteers to serve with the feeding units and help with clean up.
Penny Jenkins of Southhampton Baptist Church in Richmond and a frequent volunteer had high praise for her fellow Virginia Baptists.
“One of the blessings of being able to man a telephone at the VBMB is speaking with the wonderful Virginia Baptists partners on the other end of the line,” she said. “Whether you are just covering a desk during someone's vacation time or frantically making calls to recruit willing hands and feet to man feeding stations or work on other disaster relief teams, you are always greeted with a pleasant voice. I was amazed at the number of people who said “yes” to dropping their lives and leaving within just a few days to work with the feeding teams last fall after the hurricanes. Many went more than once. Often if a person had to say “no”, they quickly asked when the next crew was going or when they would have another opportunity to serve.”
Volunteers are needed to help collate, stuff envelopes and mail the three special offerings each year, (Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Alma Hunt Offering for State Missions). Two groups of four work most of a week to label envelopes, match church orders with correct amounts of materials (which in some cases could be up to 2,000 pieces), then assemble the packets for mailing. Although the work can be tedious and the threat of paper cuts high, the volunteers actually look forward to coming and have a good time of fellowship while they work.
Other volunteers offer their time on a regular basis. Dot Dunston of Hatcher Memorial Baptist Church in Richmond, volunteers once a week in the WMUV office. She does anything and everything asked of her. She sees this as a ministry opportunity and enjoys helping in any way she can. “It's fun!” Dot adds.
Helen Simms of Derbyshire Baptist Church in Richmond likes to volunteer because it helps her keep up with what Virginia Baptists are doing and she likes to stay connected. Other volunteers commented how they like to feel helpful and useful and want to give back.
The VBMB and WMUV are indebted to the willing spirit of all the volunteers and enjoy having partners in the work to advance the Redeemer's Kingdom.
If you would be interested in volunteering, contact Ruth Guill at (804) 745-1655.