Baptist Men - Ministries
"Iron shapeneth iron; so a man sharpened the countenance of his friend."
Proverbs 27:17
The Baptist Men's group at Ridgeway exists for the following reasons:
- To help our men stand strong in their faith and to be godly men at home, work, and everywhere they go.
- To help all church members grow in the Lord and to be actively involved in missions.
We hold two meetings monthly, on the first and third Wednesday nights. The meeting on the first Wednesday night is typically held from 6:00 - 7:00 pm while the meeting on the third Wednesday night is usually held from 6:30 - 7:45 pm. Any changes to these times will be listed in the church bulletin.
We encourage all men to join us for these meetings. In our meetings we have prayer time, singing, devotionals, and discussion of our upcoming ministry efforts. Detailed information about our various activities are listed on the Baptist Men Ministries page. As with our regular meetings, we encourage all to be involved in these activities.
Ministries
"For this is the message that ye have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another."
1 John 3:11.
Handicap Ramp / Home Handyman Ministry
Several years ago, a few men in our church took part in the Mountain Housing Opportunities' Handicap Ramp Festival. That event is a one-day blitz to build handicap ramps at the home of people who need assistance getting in and out of their home.
From that involvement, a ministry developed in our church to build such ramps for those within our church family6 who have similar difficulty. As of June 2006, our men have built or improved 17 ramps. This is a ministry effort in which many men our church enjoy being involved. Our goal in building these ramps is summed up in the words of Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." These ramp building projects always lend to great fellowship and bonding time for our men as we work together to share God's love in a very special way.
As appropriate needs present themselves and God directs, we also try to provide other home maintenance assistance to those in need. This includes various tasks, such as painting, gutter cleaning, drainage ditch digging, leaf raking, bush trimming, mowing, plumbing repair, etc.
Winter Wood Ministry
Each fall and winter our men cut wood and provide it for the home heating needs of those within our church and community who would gain benefit from it. This ministry is designed to warm people's homes as God warms their hearts. In the winter of 2005-2006, we provided 62 loads of wood and helped 26 families.
I-26 Rest Stop Ministry
Each Memorial day weekend, our church takes a team of men and women to the rest stop in I-26 to provide coffee, maps, Bibles, and traveling directions to those on the go. This effort is conducted in conjunction with the Buncombe Baptist Association.
Those who have taken part in this ministry have enjoyed meeting many interesting people and being able to share God's love with them in a very practical way.
NC Mountain State Fair Ministry
Each September the Mountain State Fair is held in our area. Throughout this two-week long event, the Buncombe Baptist Association and other nearby associations conduct a ministry at this event designed to be a blessing both to spectators and to traveling carnival workers.
Some of the components of the ministry to carnival workers include:
- Free meals
- Free medical and dental check-ups
- Free clothing and hygiene kits
- Free haircuts
- Friendly conversation and the Good News of Jesus
- Worship and Bible study opportunities
Some of the ministry components geared toward spectators include:
- Free blood pressure checks
- Free cups of cold water on a hot day
- Free balloons, teddy bears, and salvation bracelets
- Free Bibles, Jesus videos, and life changing information about Jesus.
Our church enjoys being active in this ministry effort by taking a group of approximately 20 volunteers to help with the various tasks on a given day.
Disaster Relief Ministry
Through the years our Men's group has seen disasters strike both locally and abroad. when these tragedies happen, we respond in the way God leads us — financially or physically, or both. In January 2006 a group of ten men from our church went to Gulf Port, Mississippi, to work in Disaster Relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina. In 2004 we worked in our own backyards after severe flooding from the remnants of Hurricanes Ivan and Francis hit our area. Some also went to Florida to work in clean up from Hurricane Ivan. In previous years, our church has sent teams to eastern North Carolina to work in relief efforts for Hurricane Floyd.
When we respond to disaster, our goal is to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need.
Home Visitation Ministry
At various times throughout the year we try to encourage men in our community who are battling sickness or other issues by making a group visit to their homes.
Miscellaneous Activities
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"
Psalm 133:1
Region 9 Baptist Men's Rally
Each spring and fall we take part in the Men's Rally for our region. At these rallies, we enjoy a delicious meal with men from other local Baptist Men's groups and learn about mission opportunities across our state, nation, and world. These rallies are conducted by the North Carolina Baptist Men's Organization.
Ridgeway Family Fishing Tournament
Each spring (typically April) we host the annual fishing tournament. This even is designed to have a friend fishing competition with trophies awarded in Adult and Children Divisions. More important than the fishing awards is the fun, fellowship and family oriented good times. Perhaps the neatest thing to see at these tournaments is the special smile that comes across a child's face when he catches a fish.
Ridgeway Car Show
Each fall we host a car show at our church. This is an opportunity for those of different persuasions (Ford, Chevy, Dodge, etc.) to have fun ribbing each other and for all to enjoy the beauty that comes in the classic cars and trucks.
Baptist Men's Day Breakfast and Festivities
Each January our church celebrates Baptist Men's Day, typically held the last Sunday of the month. This event begins with a breakfast for our men and boys. At the breakfast we feed our physical bodies with eggs, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, and all of the other mon ring treats, while we feed our spiritual body with the good news of Jesus. At the breakfast we hear testimonies from men in our church about how God is working in their lives, and we praise God through singing.
On Baptist Men's Day we also have special activities in the morning workshop service. These include special music by a men's quartet, an all men and boys choir, and special messages and testimonies from the men of our church. |
