Hephzibah Baptist Association
West Virginia Missions
WV/VA Mission Trip 2025
We traveled to WV with 140+ missionaries from our area. These missionaries represented 11 churches from Kilpatrick and Hephzibah associations and the student leadership team from Edmund Burke Academy in Waynesboro. The team consisted of people between the ages of 3 and 78 years old. The teams ministered in 5 VBS locations, an evening Sports Camp at one VBS location, ministry at Amy’s House (Kitchen feeding low-income and homeless), landscape work at a crisis pregnancy center, and ministered to residents in a nursing home.
Construction Team
The construction team completed multiple projects. The team was divided into 2 work crews most of the week. One team completed installation of trim work in a church which had suffered from flooding previously. Another team worked on various projects on the campus of Bluefield University, a VA Baptist University. The team was comprised of servants from both associations. Then, the two teams joined together to build a handicap ramp for an elderly lady in Tazewell.
Submitted by: David Harbeson
Edgemont Baptist (Botsford Baptist)Botsford Baptist church was able to serve at Edgemont Baptist Church again this year! We had a little over 60 people register for VBS from nursery to adults! The church had 5 volunteers for VBS this year which is a major increase! We were able to baptize one lady and we had one elementary school girl come talk to us about baptism and salvation! We were able to put her in contact with the local pastor to help her in this walk and decision! The team was also able to serve at Amy’s house of Hope, a nursing home, and the Able Center!
Submitted by: Katelynn Kent
First Baptist of Bluewell (First Baptist of Louisville)
A team of servants from Louisville FBC and Marshall Baptist joined together to teach a VBS in Bluewell, WV.
The team that ministered at First Baptist Church of Bluewell, West Virginia, consisted of 13 members from Louisville First and Marshall Baptist churches. We partnered with FBC Bluewell to lead a VBS at the church. Our goal was to have members of Bluewell teaching, leading, and serving alongside us. The kitchen crew and recreation leaders were all from Bluewell. We enrolled a total of 36 children, with four being regular attendees of Bluewell. The majority of the children did not regularly attend any church.
There was a Gospel Presentation on Wednesday. I asked the children in grades one through six to fill out a response card. The following day, three team members had the opportunity to engage in Gospel conversations with those who wanted to learn more about becoming a Christian and about Baptism. The children I spoke with initially understood salvation as “faith plus works.” Although there were no professions of faith during this year’s VBS, we were able to “[explain] the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26) to ten children.
The second day of VBS presented a unique challenge. During the Opening Rally of VBS, the power went out. We learned that a tree-cutting helicopter accidentally severed some power lines, leading to outages in the Bluewell area. The power did not come back on until later that evening. So, we continued VBS without electricity. Our talented team members managed to pull it off without missing a beat.
Submitted by: John Russell
Voice of Calvary (Raysville Baptist)
We served at Voice of Calvary Baptist in Princeton, WV. Our team was comprised of six members of Raysville BC, three from Sweetwater BC, one from Faith BC, and one from West Acres BC (who serves as pianist for Sweetwater BC).
On Sunday, our team had the privilege of leading worship and presenting the Gospel message at Voice of Calvary during the morning service and at Covel Baptist for the evening service. These pre-VBS services continue to strengthen the relationship between our team members and the members of both churches, (both of which are shepherded by Rev. Michael Williams), and to build trust between the respective communities, KBA, and our missionary teams.
Throughout the week we ministered to 12-15 school-aged children and slightly more adults. While no confessions of salvation were made during our VBS this year, the Lord accomplished much work in the teens who attended, several of who were with us for the third straight year. We also served several younger children for the first time and enjoyed watching them quickly respond to Christ’s love poured out on them through our group leaders. Additionally, two men who had NEVER prayed in public (according to their pastor) overcame their fear of doing so and prayed out loud in front of 15 or 16 of their peers during the week.
Submitted by: Daniel Adkins
Pocahontas Community (Sharon Baptist)
Sharon Baptist Church was blessed to serve in Pocahontas community. For 13 years the Lord has allowed us to join Him there in His work. Our team of 50 members worked diligently throughout the week. To God’s glory we registered 93 participates averaging 63 per day and had 1 salvation. The community supported both our morning and evening activities. Each evening the clinics were a great success. The students participated in crafts, jiujitsu, softball, and cheerleading. Personally, I am very thankful for our team members that helped advance the improvements of our mission house. Together they laid flooring, installed a window, hung Sheetrock, and painted the front porch railings among with other projects. The Gospel work shared among the believers in Pocahontas was a great success.
Submitted by: Andy Collins
The Bridge Baptist (Wadley Baptist Church & Edmund Burke Academy)
Wadley Baptist Church along with some Edmund Burke Academy Faculty & Students served at The Bridge Baptist Church in Matoaka, WV the week of July 5-11. They had a great week These are the thoughts of Pastor Tom Carpenter, The Bridge Baptist Church.
“The Bridge Baptist church in Matoaka just finished the best VBS ever. We had a high of 72 and 96 registered, 25 workers making a high night of 97 present. The youth and young adults group worked on the church and taught as well, the kitchen team had snacks and meals for everyone and topped each night off by sending out 150 hot dinners into the community, the gospel of our Lord was taught, friendships were generated and all this was capped off by the excitement and laughter of all the children present. Our brothers and sisters that gave their time to make this week possible are the examples of a true obedience call from our Lord.”
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We started our week with devotion on Monday morning. Corey Mullins, VP of Student Development and Athletics, spoke to the team. He welcomed us to Bluefield University and thanked us for all we were doing for the communities around Bluefield. John Russell, FBC Louisville, Associate Pastor, led us in song as we began to worship. Tim Batchelor, Association Missionary, sent us out for the day with a devotion. It was a great start to our ministry week.
Overall, the WV/VA teams ministered to more than 250 participants each day. The Lord used this ministry to connect many unchurched individuals and families to the local churches. We received reports of several participants professing faith in Christ.
