MISSIONS
		There are many hurting and needy persons in our own community who need to feel God's love. At FBC, we take seriously the task of being local missionaries and sharing with these persons the love of God that we have experienced in our own lives. We show this love by attending to the physical, mental, and emotional needs that often burden people. Although we live in an affluent area, homelessness and poverty are everyday struggles for many. We try to make a difference in our community by providing volunteer and financial support to efforts that address these issues. We support Habitat for Humanity we work with Micah Ecumenical Ministries, a coalition of downtown churches, to provide emergency shelter on sub-freezing nights for those who have no shelter. We provide funding for the benevolent work of the Salvation Army and through our own benevolent fund we assist individuals who cannot afford medical services, housing expenses, and transportation. We collect food, clothing, shoes, and other essential items and distribute them to persons needing this assistance. Our Thursday Night Community Meal offers an opportunity for any person to enjoy a free meal in a socially friendly and safe setting. For some of the participants this may be the only hot meal they enjoy all week. We also make our facility available, at no cost, to a number of local governmental and non-profit agencies that provide social and family support services to local individuals. Fredericksburg Baptist Church responds to God’s call to spread the good news of Jesus Christ in our world. Globally, we support organizations such as the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in their work among the world’s most neglected population and people groups. In addition, we support mission trips in which members themselves serve as “international missionaries” among peoples and in cultures in need of God’s love and salvation. In 2006, our church entered a three-year partnership with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Baptist General Association of Virginia to sponsor Greg and Sue Smith in their ministry among Latinos in the Fredericksburg area and beyond. Through LUCHA Ministries Sue and Greg—along with United Methodist colleagues Victor and Heather Gómez—meet social, spiritual and community needs of Latinos in our own community. They also work through the Virginia Baptist Mission Board and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in statewide and international mission among Latinos. Click the Smith’s blog to learn more about their ministry. For more information on LUCHA Ministries, click www.luchaministries.org.
Greg and Sue Smith
Missions Related Programs and Activities
For Children	On Wednesday evenings following the church family supper time preschoolers and children participate in age appropriate activities where they begin to learn about missions, missionaries, and developing a personal missions lifestyle
For Youth	On Wednesday evenings following the church family supper time youth experience activities that emphasize mission education and discipleship training that involve hands-on and interactive approaches to Christian development. The youth explore ways to demonstrate their faith in their daily lives and offer themselves to others in the congregation, community, and world.
For Adults	On the first Wednesday of each month following the church family supper and prayer time adults are offered a missions experience. In addition there are missions groups (circles) that meet regularly to focus on missions education and the adoption of a missions-oriented lifestyle. These circles operate within the umbrella of the Woman’s Missionary Union, an organization dedicated to missions education and action.
For information about our missions education, activities, and events, please contact Jeanne Anderson, minister of adults and missions.
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