Missions
Helping Feed Those in Need
Due mainly to space and a fear of spoiling goods, we choose not to have a food pantry. We do, however, offer a ministry coordinated and ran by our Brotherhood members of purchasing groceries for those in need. We purchase grocery store gift cards of varying amounts for families in need. The amount given is heavily dependent upon family size and specific circumstances surrounding the need. We do realize that there are many people that are hungry and we believe that this should not be ignored. Therefore, we strive to ensure that we use every possible resource to help people find and receive much needed food.
We also realize that we can impact a larger area for good. Therefore, we have held a non-perishable food drive in the recent past to help support the Union Mission in Roanoke Rapids, NC. For more information concerning that ministry, please click the link: http://unionmissionrorap.org/.
Reaching into our Immediate Community
We held our Darlington Fire Department Appreciation Day in 2019 to honor our local fire department next door. The missional aspect of this event highlighted a member of our church and member of the fire department giving his testimony to a pack house. He was nearly fatally injured and he spoke to how God had healed him and helped him recover. His message was simply that God will use various situations to get our attention. When He speaks, we better listen.
Reaching into our Immediate Community
Adoption of Elementary School Class
Our Brotherhood has coordinated with a kindergarten class at Pittman Elementary School to help get them school supplies and Christmas gifts this school year. It is our plan to continue our partnership with them and extend this adoption to other classes/grades in the school.
Supporting Local Charities
In addition to multiple members shopping at the Angel's Closet, we also give monthly financial support to their ministry. It is also supported through our cooperative giving at the North Roanoke Baptist Association: https://www.nrbaptistnc.org/angels-closet-of-roanoke-rapids#!
Supporting Local Charities
The Bible teaches that all life is sacred. Our church thoroughly believes this and desires to support those trying to stop abortion. Therefore, through the coordination of our WMU, our church sponsors two tables for the Pregnancy Support Center Banquet in Roanoke Rapids every year. We are fortunate and blessed to be a part of this ministry, where lives can be changed through the love and support of Christ. The website is below if you choose to navigate without leaving our page. If you would like to open their page in another tab, please click here: https://mypregnancyoptions.org/.
Appalachian Backpacks
Every year in the late summer, the North Carolina State Convention is involved in helping the people of Appalachia get much needed supplies. These supplies vary from year to year and range from school supplies to regular household items. As a participating church in the cooperative program, we collect items for backpacks, purchase backpacks and pack them. Our church then takes these backpacks to our association office for dissemination and delivery. Below are some pictures from recent years of our backpack ministry.
Loading the truck
Collection of backpacks
Operation Christmas Child
Each year, we collect various items to put into the shoeboxes that touch lives through the Operation Christmas Child Samaritan's Purse Charity. We seek to put personal notes in each box to let the children that open them know they are loved.
End Result 2019
Every year we collect throughout the year and pack boxes as a church. This past year, we sent over 450 boxes to Samaritan's Purse for OCC.
Distribution Center
Every year we have a group that takes time off work/school to go to the Distribution Center in Charlotte to help prepare boxes for shipping.