KOH2RVA:
Bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to Richmond, Virginia
A Year-long, Every-Member Mission Trip

The members of Richmond’s First Baptist Church have launched a year-long, every-member mission trip to our own hometown: Richmond, Virginia.

Senior Pastor Dr. Jim Somerville has explained the background and rationale in a “white paper.” He said, “We are called to labor alongside the Lord Jesus in the joyful work of bringing heaven to earth… What if—for the year that begins with One Sunday in 2012 (September 9) and concludes with One Sunday in 2013—we focus our efforts on the Greater Richmond Metropolitan Region, as if we really had climbed on board a bus for a mission trip and the bus had stopped here, at the corner of Monument and the Boulevard, with the mission field spreading outward in every direction? And what if we tried to get every member of the church on that bus, so that it’s not just the 20 percent who usually do most of the work, but 100 percent of us working together? How would we step off the bus onto the mission field? What kind of work would we do to make a difference?”

Dr. Somerville and Senior Associate Pastor Lynn Turner talked about what we're trying to do.

To assist the members in finding a way to get “get on and off the bus,” the staff has assembled an initial list of mission projects which provide opportunities for people with different gifts and interests to find an avenue of service that fits them. The list of projects is not exhaustive, nor is it complete. More projects will emerge as we move through the year. And so will the stories of those who are carrying out the mission. Those stories, and the constantly-updated list of projects, will be posted on this website.

Every team in the church has been involved in a process of discerning God’s leadership in their ministry area for the coming year. This process of discernment will lead to the development of the church’s Ministry Action Plan, or budget. As the teams listen for God’s guidance and follow faithfully where He leads, they will add other projects and avenues of ministry to the list.

On Saturday, September 22, the team leaders gathered in the Dining Hall with the staff, and the members of the Budget, Finance and Personnel Teams to share the results of their discernment process. Here's what they shared...

It is possible to do more harm than good, even though our intentions are good. How can we practice compassion in a Christ-like way? Our Associate Pastor for Christian Compassion gives us some pointers...

Reaching out in ministry to others can help us grow and mature as Christians. Steve Booth, Associate Pastor for Christian Formation, talks about how to reflect on mission experiences.

 

Read Jim Somerville's “white paper” which provides the rationale for KOH2RVA.

Follow the Pastor's blog for daily updates.

See the stories of those who are participating.

Begin your own discernment process to find your place of service.

Check out the project list.

Read our Ministry Teams' visions for the next year.