Missions
We are a people on mission, a sent people.
The mission is God’s and we join in this mission of salvation and reconciliation. A life of Mission has no boundaries. It is lived at all times, in all places, and with all people. As the body of Christ and as individuals we seek to embody God’s mission for God’s kingdom. One of the ways we do this is by involvement in the mission engagements described below.
Mission Offerings
International Mission Experience
Our Youth International Mission Experience (IME) occurs every three years. Recent IMEs have taken our students to Puerto Rico, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary to join missionaries on the field.
Global Missions
Our Global Missions offering emphasis occurs each fall. Your gifts support missionaries around the world and here in the U.S. through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Global Fund, Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong offerings.
Primary Mission Partners
Local/regional
Bethany Home
Bethany Home offers loving support in a residential setting for women so that their lives can be transformed. Utilizing funds from our Missions’ Budget, we connect with this ministry through monthly meals at the Bethany Home and provide Christmas gifts to each of the Bethany Home residents.
Firehouse Shelter
The Firehouse Shelter has long been a place of ministry for VHBC. Our RAs led this ministry for many years and now the whole church has joined in. Assigned groups prepare, serve, and deliver a meal on the second Wednesday night of every month. Firehouse is also in our Missions’ Budget.
Greater Birmingham Ministries
Greater Birmingham Ministries is a multi-faith organization that provides emergency services and works to pursue a more just society for all people. We support the work of GBM through hands on service days and in our Missions’ Budget.
Lovelady Center
The Lovelady Center helps to restore hope and rebuild lives by introducing women and children to Christ and offering a range of needed services: medical care, counselling, life-skills training, parenting classes, job training & placement, childcare, nutrition, housing, and post-secondary education. Volunteers from our church provide devotionals, Bible study programs, and crafts.
Community Food Bank of Central Alabama
Community Food Bank of Central Alabama feeds those in need today while seeking solutions to end ongoing hunger. Groups from our church volunteer at the Food Bank, packing and sorting food supplies. We also support the food bank through our Missions’ Budget.
Sowing Seeds of Hope
Sowing Seeds of Hope serves the people of Perry County, Alabama. We have joined SSOH in a variety of initiatives in recent years, including work with the local schools and summer camp programming. We fund this program and provide additional support to SSOH through our Missions’ Budget.
international
Africa Exchange
Africa Exchange is one of our newer partners. We initially provided support to AE through the VHBC Mission Endowment Fund, and they are now included in our Missions’ Budget. Africa Exchange creates partnership with marginalized rural communities, supporting community development. Some of their work has included establishing early childhood education centers, providing access to water and sanitation technologies, and creating cross-cultural engagement opportunities for Kenyans and Americans.
Leimaroi Christian School
Leimaroi Christian School is a ministry of Kasom Khullen Baptist Church located in a small village in Manipur, India. We are connected to this ministry through former VHBC member and Manipur resident, Awon Shanglai.
Slovakian Partnership
CBF Field Personnel Dianne and Shane McNary serve among the Roma people, a minority group experiencing discrimination and segregation in Slovakia and around the world. The McNarys encourage Romany Christians and support indigenous Romany churches through faith sharing, relational ministry and economic, education, and healthcare development. We partner with the McNarys through prayer, financial, and volunteer support.