Disaster Relief: Serving with Hope

Even as the pandemic made serving outside and within our communities more difficult, disasters continued to strike. 2020 was the year of the pandemic, but it was also a record-setting year for Atlantic hurricanes. 2021 also saw significant storms, including one that devastated a town in Virginia—one that is still rebuilding. As we move out of the isolation we’ve experienced, churches are beginning to think about how they can serve, and many are turning to disaster response. We have seen a huge response among churches that want to be equipped to respond to disasters, whether they strike in their own communities or elsewhere. They want to be ready to serve with the tools and partners they need to serve well when needed. And what they’re learning won’t just prepare them to respond if a storm strikes, it can enhance every area of ministry their churches embrace. When a storm strikes, those who have prepared will be able to respond. Those who have practiced will be able to respond well. And those with strong community relationships will be able to make the greatest difference with those whom God has called to Be Light.

ALMA HUNT OFFERING FOR VIRGINIA MISSIONS
The annual offering for Virginia missions was named for Alma Hunt (1909–2008), a native Virginian who was known worldwide for her missions service and her unswerving dedication to the cause of Christ. Churches and individuals may contribute at any time. The offering provides funding for all Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia (WMUV) missions and ministries and makes possible other Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) special ministries, outreach projects, and initiatives not funded through regular streams of giving. Since 1976, this offering has been a joint venture of WMUV and the BGAV. The annual goal and allocation of funds are determined by the Executive Director/ Treasurer of WMUV and the Executive Director of the BGAV and approved by their respective boards. The stories you will read in this prayer guide are of real people and real ministries, and all are recipients of some financial support from this offering. Every dollar you give goes directly to support these and many other ministries. We invite you to give to the Alma Hunt Offering—joining your gifts with those of many other Virginia Baptists as we seek to Be Light—and to share the love of Christ across the Commonwealth and with the whole world.