Church and Community Ministries

Through the Church and Community Ministries arena of the Tar River Baptist Association, there are numerous ministries that individuals and churches can become involved with throughout the year. Gail Nelms serves as our CCM Director and coordinates these ministry efforts. Gail will be happy to share information about the various ministries if you call her at the associational center (919-496-7172) or if you contact her via e mail at ccmtarriver@hotmail.com . She is also available to share this information with church and civic groups or to speak in your services at the church. Among the various ministries offered at present through our Church and Community Ministries are:

SURVIVAL SPANISH CLASSES: As a general rule, the Tar River Baptist Association offers Survival Spanish classes to those wishing to better communicate with our neighbors of the Hispanic community each "semester." Classes are held on Monday nights. Students will learn a great deal about the Hispanic culture and how to communicate more effectively. There is a charge for the class.

FESTIVAL MINISTRY: Each year the churches of the Tar River Baptist Association have a ministry booth and conduct various activities at both the Tar River Festival in Louisburg during and the Spring Hope Pumpkin Festival. Church choirs, youth groups, other groups, and individuals can assist in this "Diaper Changing/Water station Ministry" and share the love of Christ with people in our community. Through this ministry, many lives are touched.

CHRISTMAS FAMILY MINISTRIES (FORMERLY TOY STORE MINISTRY): TRBA has a unique ministry during the Christmas Holiday Season. Beginning in mid November, volunteers set up for this ministry. In early December, we "open for business," allowing clients that have been referred by local agencies, churches, pastors, ministries, etc. to shop for their children. Time is also reserved for the children to come and shop for their parents.

Every person that shops is also counseled with the plan of salvation; given a Bible as their own; and referred to a local church when decisions for Christ are made and/or additional follow-up is needed. Numerous people have made professions of faith during this ministry.

There are countless ways YOU can be of assistance. Listed below are some of the ways that you can assist TRBA in this worthwhile ministry:

(1) PRAY that God will use this ministry to accomplish His purpose. Pray that people will come to know Christ as their personal Savior and the source of their greatest need.

(2) GIVE both financially and give toys to the ministry. This is a non-budgeted ministry and we rely on your generous contributions to support this ministry. You can lead your church, Sunday School class, civic organization, family, business, PTA group, etc. to collect toys and money for this worthwhile ministry. This year, we also were given food and determined to try to meet this need in the lives of some of our clients as well.

(3)VOLUNTEER in our set up and operations of the Toy Store. We depend on volunteers to set up and restock the "store" throughout the ministry. We need counselors to both share the Gospel and otherwise counsel our clients. We can use youth groups (and others) to shop with and wrap gifts for the children. If you have an hour to spare, you will be blessed if you share in this ministry!

(4) PRAY---GIVE---AND VOLUNTEER AGAIN AND AGAIN!!!! Your involvement in this ministry will be a blessing to the lives of others. It will also be a blessing to you as you have the opportunity to meet needs in the name of Christ and plant seeds of faith that will one day reap a harvest!

PLEASE NOTE: Check out the CURRENTS OF THE TAR page for current information regarding the Christmas Family Ministry needs and/or contact Gail at ccmtarriver@hotmail.com to volunteer or make donations. Click here to go directly to the Currents of the Tar Page of this web site.

TUTORIAL MINISTRY: This is a "developing ministry" of the TRBA. Currently, volunteers are working for the second year with students at Louisburg High School. As more people volunteer, we hope to assist others in this area of ministry.

As with all areas of ministry, we are still "under construction"