Alma Hunt Offering
Mission: Willing
September 2024
RRCB Offering Collection Goal: $10,000
“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me!’
—Isaiah 6:8
This annual offering for Virginia missions was named for Alma Hunt (1909–2008), a native Virginian who was known worldwide for her mission service and her unswerving dedication to the cause of Christ. The offering provides funding for all Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia (WMUV) missions and makes possible other Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) special ministries not funded through regular streams of giving.
Designated Alma Hunt Offering envelopes are available in the pew racks—please write “Alma Hunt Offering” in the memo/note of your check. You can also make a gift online—select “Alma Hunt State Missions” for the fund.
Check back weekly to learn more about the ministries supported by the Alma Hunt Offering: Mom & Me; Disaster Response: Pray, Give, Go; Brazilian Missions Exchange; Hope for Mental Health; Support for Partners in the Middle East
Support for Partners in the Middle East
As we continue to pray for peace in the Middle East, let us remember our brothers and sisters there who are a steady witness of Christ’s presence in the face of uncertainty and danger. When the war in Syria began 13 years ago, many fled to neighboring Lebanon. Churches there faced a decision: Turn away the Syrians who earlier had brutally occupied their country, or serve the refugees who were in dire need of help. Alia Abboud writes, “In the end, those churches that decided to do something about it took steps of faith that brought them out of their comfort zone and onto a journey of transformation that continues to give glory to God …”
In the midst of a turbulent political environment and decimated economy, our friends in Lebanon continue demonstrating cutting-edge discipleship, imitating Christ as they minister to former enemies who have been made vulnerable by war and trauma.
Pray diligently for our partners, support their work, and take inspiration from them for your own discipleship pathway.
Hope for Mental Health
“What is the difference between mental health and mental illness?” Lucianne Warren, WMUV president and licensed clinical social worker, asked 75 people gathered at Dan River Baptist Church. Team Leader Anteal Gargiulo offered a challenge to the church on how to be on mission in meeting human needs as Christ did. Such involvement is critical because mental illness affects about one in five individuals. This is a part of WMUV’s HOPE: Mental Health ministry. Team members make themselves available to listen to the struggles of individual church members, sharing specific resources.
Pray that church leaders will be sensitive to human suffering.
Brazilian Missions Exchange
In the early 2000s, Virginia Baptists were in partnership with the Paraná Baptist Convention in Brazil. Years before the partnership, the first Baptist missionaries to Brazil, arriving in Rio de Janeiro in 1881, were William “Buck” and Anne Bagby. They laid much of the groundwork for millions of Brazilians coming to know the Lord. Now, Brazilians are coming to Virginia to serve. Steve Dalton, WMUV Missions Strategists for Men/Boys, coordinated with a Brazilian soccer team to share the gospel by hosting soccer camps. More than 15,000 refugees live in the Roanoke metro area. Churches in the Valley are welcoming the immigrants among them by meeting basic physical needs and by providing housing, worship space for language congregations, conversational English classes, and more.
Pray that unique cultural opportunities will continue to spread the gospel.
Disaster Response: Pray, Give, Go
Impact Disaster Response, over the past two years, has been part of two long-term rebuild operations after storms in Buchanan County in Virginia and Fort Myers in Florida. These responses were possible because volunteers from all over Virginia were able to support local volunteers who were the backbone of each response. Those partnerships, which include training, equipment, and volunteer deployment, are made possible because people pray constantly for the work to be done, give to support it, and go when called.
Pray for all who serve and those who are served in Disaster Response ministry.
Mom & Me
An overnight conference for moms and daughters (grades one through six) that emphasizes a personal walk with Christ, Bible study, and missions is sponsored every April by WMUV. It is a time to develop a stronger bond in relationships, opening conversations conducive to spiritual development and a mission-minded lifestyle. Girls and moms have the opportunity to meet a missionary, participate in a mission project, make a craft, play games, and learn a praise dance. Exciting worship times cap off a fun weekend made possible by the Alma Hunt Missions Offering and WMUV.
Pray for family relationships that nurture spiritual development of people of all ages.