Local North Carolina Baptist churches are again preparing to roll up their sleeves and serve their neighbors during this year’s ServeNC Week, a week-long community service emphasis taking place Aug. 2-9 across the state.
Churches have already committed to participate by serving their communities through different service projects during that week or another day they choose to set aside this summer.
ServeNC Week is an initiative that encourages churches to identify needs in their own communities and take action as the hands and feet of Jesus.
Last year, more than 1,150 churches in 92 counties participated in ServeNC Week, creatively serving where God had planted them. Many churches reported gospel conversations, the start of relationships with people in their community and ongoing connections with local organizations as a result.
When unexpected needs arose, like Tropical Storm Debby, churches pivoted to address those challenges with compassion and urgency. After a tornado touched down in Wilson County on Aug. 8, leaders at Redemption Church at New Hope took part in storm damage cleanup. Baptists on Mission mobilized volunteers for relief efforts in Bladen County. Rich Fork Church in Thomasville partnered with a nearby restaurant to provide breakfast to children and families who were forced to evacuate to Thomasville due to Tropical Storm Debby.
ServeNC Week is about every local church serving every community, so church leaders are encouraged to decide how they do that, whether through a ministry or outreach they are already regularly involved in or through a new opportunity.
For many participating churches in 2024, schools, senior adults, first responders, local ministries and different neighborhoods were the recipients of their care. Many provided assistance to individuals with disabilities, while others connected through sports. Volunteers delivered meals and school supplies to faculty and staff; completed landscaping and yard cleanup at schools; renovated a teacher’s lounge; stocked shelves at a university’s student pantry; and distributed free backpacks and supplies.
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Ronda hosted a basketball camp, and in Charlotte, Hickory Grove Baptist Church partnered with a local soccer club to run their weekly soccer camp. Numerous churches delivered meals and thank-you notes to fire stations, police departments and military personnel.
Volunteers served at pregnancy centers, food pantries, women’s shelters, laundromats and farmers markets. Churches cleaned up trash and debris around their neighborhoods and washed cars. Several hosted “giveaway” days and “freesale” events.
Fairview Baptist Church in Apex offered a free dental clinic through Baptists on Mission’s mobile dental unit.
In some regions, associations are also organizing ServeNC Week efforts. Last year, the Raleigh Baptist Association distributed backpacks to refugee children living in the Triangle. ServeNC Week also facilitates partnerships between churches that choose to join efforts to reach their neighbors. Last summer, five churches in Rockingham County completed projects together.
Volunteers of all ages are welcome to participate in service projects. Wake Cross Roads Baptist Church in Raleigh saw volunteers from 2 to 78 years old praying, packing and delivering gift baskets to first responders.
Churches can sign up today to be part of ServeNC Week, and start praying and planning for how they will join this August.
Sign up today and find resources, project ideas and more information at servenc.com.
