Community and Urban Missions

     Below are listed some of the Community and Urban Missions Projects that Cool Spring Church is involved in.  Where indicated, click on a Missions Ministry for more information:

• Hanover Juvenile Correction Center -Cool Spring members provide Bible study every Thursday night for teenage boys in a correctional setting.  Volunteers must be trained and approved by the center.  This ministry began over 35 years ago at Barrett JCC.  This is a seed planting ministry; however, we see lives changed and boys won to the Lord.
   
• C.A.R.I.T.A.S - Congregations Around Richmond Involved To Assure Shelter was organized to care for the homeless year round.  Each Spring, shelter is offered to homeless families for two weeks at Cool Spring.  This ministry began in 2002 and has offered refuge for infants to adults.  Volunteers are needed for Prayer, Meals, Overnight, Cleaning, Laundry, Nurturing, and Setup teams.  This ministry involves the entire church family.
   
• Disaster Relief Ministry - The Disaster Relief Ministry has been developed at Cool Spring to provide assistance to individuals and families in times of natural disasters, such as floods, fire, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.  There are periodic seminars locally in Disaster Relief Training.  Whether assisting in community disaster, supporting Virginia Baptist relief efforts, or supporting the North American Mission Board, we utilize all of the volunteers, resources, and equipment that we have available to assist those in distress.  Volunteers will receive training through the church, Red Cross and State Baptist Disaster Ministry.
   
• Church Hill Wellness Center - The Church Hill Christian Wellness Center is located in Mount Tabor Baptist Church and is a ministry of the Richmond Baptist Association.  The Wellness Center offers after school tutoring, adult Bible study, computer classes, fitness equipment, food, clothing, and health classes.  Individuals or groups can use their passions and fits for this urban ministry. If this is an area where you feel led to serve, please contact Wayne Smith.
   
• Essex Village - Essex Village is a local community project for underprivileged families, often consisting of single mothers with children. In partnership with the pastor of Essex Village Community Church, Cool Spring provides assistance to the residents of this Richmond Housing center.  This ministry supports a 24 hour child care as well as other ministries.  An annual Turkey Distribution for Thanksgiving provides hundreds of turkeys and groceries along with scriptures to those in need.  Sunday school classes from Cool Spring frequently "adopt" a family in Essex Village to help provide for their daily needs, as well as for special events, such as Christmas presents for children.
   
• Food Pantry - Cool Spring maintains a Food Pantry to assist those in need in our community.  Recipients come to the church to pick up the food which is collected through the Adult Bible Study classes and missions organizations.  The food is sorted and stored at the church and is distributed by the church staff on an as-needed basis.  Recipients complete a request form and may receive assistance once a month.
   
• Habitat for Humanity -  Cool Spring has been involved in Habitat for Humanity home construction on an ongoing basis. Habitat for Humanity International seeks to end poverty housing worldwide. Different churches come together in partnership with people in need to build simple, decent, healthy homes. They are then sold to partner families at no profit, through zero-interest loans. Cool Spring has helped Habitat for Humanity projects locally in different ways:
  • Providing volunteers to serve at the construction site and on committees.
  • Providing meals for construction workers.
  • Making financial contributions.
  • Providing part of the funding and labor to build the home.
  • Prayer for the Habitat ministry.
  • Volunteering for international projects.
     
• Gospel Jail Ministry - The Gospel Jail Ministry is a non-denominational, evangelical organization that provides pastoral care for inmates and staff regardless of race, religion, sex, handicap, criminal charge or sentence.  The ministry works to bring the good news of the Gospel to the inmates through personal contact, worship services, Bible study, family contact, follow-up and liaison help.
   
• Mechanicsville Churches Emergency Functions - M.C.E.F. -  Mechanicsville Churches Emergency Fund is a nonprofit organization developed by area churches to provide emergency assistance to families. Various churches house clothing, food, furniture, and other items when disaster strikes. Funds are also made available for temporary housing and other short term needs.
   
• Mission to Hanover - This ministry is involved in the winterization of homes Hanover County for underprivileged individuals or families.  A Cool Spring Sunday School class adopts one or more homes, evaluates the winterization or repair needs of the homes, and then proceeds to make repairs as a group effort.
   
• Needle's Eye - The Needle's Eye Ministry serves as a spiritual connection between marketplace people and matters of faith. As such, it is not a church or a membership organization.  Needle's Eye's mission is simple. “Connecting business and professional men and women to life-changing faith in Jesus – encouraging them to impact our community with His values, ethics and love”.
   
• Refugee Ministry - Each year hundreds of people come to Richmond from other countries a refugees.  In 2001, six Sudanese young men came to Richmond to find a new home.  These young men were "adopted" by our church and assisted with their adjustment to life in America.  Two of them joined Cool Spring.  Some received training in Pennsylvania and Iowa, while others remained in Richmond.  We assist with seasonal clothing, food, and training in the American way of life.

     For more information about missions at Cool Spring, or for opportunities of service in missions, contact Wayne Smith, who is the Minister of Discipleship and Missions.

Updated 11/18/06