Responder

re·spond·er (noun): 1. a person or 
thing that answers or responds.  
2. a person who responds or answers 
in actions.  3. a person who 
exhibits some action or answers 
a need.

Responders are individuals with specialized skills, knowledge, and/or experience who stand on call for service whenever Virginia Baptists’ mission ministries need their expertise.

Every Virginia Baptist—young, middle-aged, or maturing—has particular gifts, interests, and skills that can be used to respond to the needs we encounter everyday. When these things are combined with a Christlike heart of service and a desire to make a positive difference in the world, the possibilities are limitless!

Responding to needs can be as simple, and as profound, as becoming aware of a situation or concern and seeking God’s solution through prayer. Responding can mean sharing your meager funds to assist someone less fortunate than you or taking a personal inventory of how God has gifted you and making those gifts available to those in need. Responding to a particular interest could lead you to seek specific training or skill building that would allow you to be more effective in meeting the needs of the world.

Consider the ways that God may be calling you to minister to the needs of the world around you by becoming a responder. Let your Glocal Missions and Evangelism Team know of your desire to make a difference, and we will assist you in responding.

How do I become a Responder?

Virginia Baptists’ Disaster Response ministries

Disaster Response ministries include immediate responses of emergency relief as well as more extended efforts toward recovery. Virginia Baptists’ disaster relief units include two mobile feeding kitchens (each capable of preparing up to 15,000 meals per day), chain saw and mud out units, temporary shower trailers, water purification units, a laundry unit, and a temporary child care trailer. In addition, Virginia Baptists have a network of well-trained and credentialed Crisis Care Chaplains. When disaster strikes, these units, staffed by volunteers, go into service as early responders.

The Virginia Baptist Mission Board’s ministries in Disaster Recovery can continue for months or even years after the emergency relief phase has concluded. These ministries have included cleaning out, repairing, and rebuilding homes, as well as replacement of church facilities, crisis care ministries, summer programs for children and youth, and the distribution of food, water, and cleaning supplies.

Advanced training is necessary for early response service with the feeding, crisis care, water purification, and child care relief units. Training sessions are offered regionally around the state during late winter and early spring of each year. All who have interest in Disaster Relief and believe they may have availability for early response are invited and encouraged to participate in one of these training sessions.
For more information on Virginia Baptists’ Disaster Response ministries, including disaster relief training dates and locations, contact Terry Raines or Nichole Bulls at 800.ALL.BGAV (255.2428).

Precious Children’s Home: For over 25 years we have had ties to the seminary of the India Baptist Convention of Kerala, as well as to the Precious Children’s Home located there. Dr. Kunjumon Chacko has been in Virginia many times, especially after the tsunami ravaged South Asia in 2004. Now, Virginia Baptists are being more intentional by assisting the Children’s Home in direct sponsorship of children in need. Click here for information on how you might become a sponsor.

Offering your professional expertise or specialized skills to be used on an on call basis

Some examples of the skills needed include drivers with CDL licenses, medical professionals to staff emergency clinics, and CPAs and information technology professionals to help mission ministries in the development of administrative practices, and many others. To register your willingness to respond with your expertise and skills, contact Jeannette Hildebrand at 800.ALL.BGAV (255.2428), ext. 7260 or jeannette.hildebrand@vbmb.org.

Outreach and evangelism opportunities, such as

More to Life (DVD) - Commit to placing a More to Life DVD in the hands—and therefore in the life—of a friend, neighbor, or work colleague. Following God’s guiding, stay in close contact with this individual and be ready to engage him or her in conversation regarding your own faith story. To request a More to Life DVD, contact Alice Rusher at 800.ALL.BGAV (255.2428), ext. 7327 or alice.rusher@vbmb.org.

People of the Book Ministry - Kingdom Advance Ambassador Faysal Sharif partners with People of the Book Ministry to minister to the spiritual and physical needs of Muslims and to lead Muslims to come to know the truth of Jesus Christ. To support this ministry with your financial gifts or to request assistance with outreach and program planning related to Muslims, contact Faysal Y. Sharif at 703.636.9270 (office), 703.577.6538 (cell), or faysal.sharif@vbmb.org.

Provide financial support to Virginia Baptist Disaster Response ministries

For information on Virginia Baptists’ general Disaster Relief Fund or to donate online with your credit card, visit www.vbmb.org/disaster.
Alternatively, select “Virginia Baptist Disaster Response” as recipient of your United Way contribution.

Provide sponsorship

Click here for sponsorship information.