We are a congregation built on mission. In other words, "missions" is not a department in our church, it is central to what our church is and does. We believe that every believer is a missionary (Matt. 5:13-16; II Cor. 5:20). Following the example of Jesus who left the comfort of heaven and clothed Himself in our flesh in order to reach us, we should be willing to go to whatever extents it takes to reach those in our community He died for.
We don't believe the church should be a cultural ghetto, isolated culturally from the rest of the world. We want to take the kingdom of God into the arts, business, education – and every other dimension of our community. We believe that real "ministry" happens outside the church Mon-Sat, it's not limited to our auditorium for an hour on Sunday. In fact, we believe there is not one square inch of our community over which Jesus does not declare Mine!
In other words, we're not here to condemn our culture or simply survive it. We're here to transform it for God's glory. Along with our commitment to encourage and equip the members of our church to have a missional heart and lifestyle, we give away at least 10% of our budget each year to the following specific missions:
Grace Network The Grace Network of Martinsville & Henry County is a first stop center of resources for residents of Martinsville and Henry County where essential life needs and referrals are provided by caring volunteers building a stronger community.
Good News Jail and Prison Ministry We support our local chapter of the Good New Jail & Prison Ministry. Chaplain Joseph Carter is actively involved in witnessing in the jails to inmates and their families; aiding in a physical and spiritual rehabilitation of men and women upon their release from jail; and overseeing an educational program within the jails to encourage continuance of formal education among the inmates. The Good News Jail & Prison Ministry has more than 45 years of service to Sheriffs, Directors of Corrections, institution staff, and inmates in correctional facilities across the United States and abroad.
Tom & Vicki Anthony (World Impact) World Impact is a Christian missions organization dedicated to ministering God's love in the inner cities of America. Their purpose is to honor, glorify and delight in God in the inner cities by knowing God and making Him known. World Impact ministers cross-culturally to people unreached by the Gospel of Jesus Christ through evangelism, follow-up, discipleship and indigenous church-planting. They seek to empower urban disciples; training leadership for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
Christ's Church supports the Chester Ministry of World Impact, an inner city mission just south of Philadelphia. Along with providing monthly prayer and financial support, we have sent summer mission teams to serve in the Frederick Douglass Christian School in Chester.
Our teams have served in the summer day camp ministry, participated in community outreach, helped with various work projects in the school, as well as been a source of encouragement to the World Impact missionaries who are serving in Chester. It has been a life changing experience to all those who have participated.
But the highlight of this outreach has been the Lord enabling us to send Tom Anthony to Chester to serve full time as one of the missionaries. Tom came to know the Lord here at Christ's Church, and as "one of our own," what a blessing it has been to have a part in helping him grow, become equipped and sent out!
While ministering in Chester, Tom met Vicki, one of the missionaries serving in the Frederick Douglass Christian School. A strong friendship developed. Eventually they began dating and were married in Chester in March 2009.
God has used Tom's gifts of servanthood, working with his hands and his enthusiasm for sharing the gospel. He and Vicki minister to the church plant families, mentor teens, host a Homework Club in their home, as well as numerous other ministry opportunities in Chester. They make an outstanding team! Want to keep up with their ministry? Check out their BLOG.
Jerry & Pam Headen (Philokalia Ministries) Philokalia Ifi-lo-ka-lee-a): "love of that which is beautiful or excellent," from The Philokalia, a collection of ancient Greek devotional texts written to enable one to find that which is truly beautiful and excellent in a relationship with God.
Missionaries Jerry & Pam Headen serve with a team in the Sansai district of Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Along with a desire to share the gospel with the Thai people, they lead a ministry which serves people with HIV/AIDS, those affected by HIV/AIDS and other disadvantaged people in Thai society.
Their ministry is implemented by spiritual formation and evangelism through a growing Christian community.
Pregnancy Care Center We have been actively involved in partnering with other churches and individuals to begin a Pregnancy Care Center in our community. The center exists to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ by offering practical, emotional, and spiritual support to women, men, and children who are facing pregnancy and abortion related concerns.
The center is a strong voice for life. It provides free pregnancy services, peer counseling, information about the procedures and risks associated with abortion, as well as information about alternatives to abortion, abstinence education, post-abortion support, and other related programs and services.
The Table We have partnered with several other churches in our community to help launch and supportThe Table.
It is a missional extension of the local church specially targeting un-churched and de-churched young adults with the mission of helping them connect to each other, their city and their faith.
Most of the gatherings are held at Common Ground, a chapel at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church. God has provided in amazing ways for us to partner with them to use this wonderful space.
For more information, please contact Mike Waddell 276-403-0822.
Clothes Closet Our clothing closet is a free ministry to our community. It is open the first Saturday of each month from 8:30-11:30 am. It is housed downstairs under the auditorium. The entrance and parking is located on the Tan Bark Lane side of our building.
Volunteers may serve in clothing collection, laundering, sorting, or helping staff the ministry on the Saturdays it is open. We are currently accepting new and gently used clothes. Cash donations are also always welcome. If you would like to volunteer or make a donation, please contact the director of this ministry, Debbie Beaumier.
Community Ministry Team Our community ministry team has partnered with the Southern Area Agency on Aging to built wheel chair accessible decks and ramps, as well as a number of other projects designed to serve the underserved in our community.
Boys & Girls Club of the Blue Ridge We're excited to partner with our local Boys and Girls Clubs to serve the children and teens in our community. The BGC Teen Center uses our youth center and gym in the afternoons Mon-Fri during the school year, and all day during their summer camp.
The Teen Center is also home to a fully functioning computer lab. Comcast in conjunction with One Economy, a global non-profit organization that connects underserved communities around the world, has chosen to partner with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Blue Ridge to provide information technology services to club members.
"Anyone who gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones beause He is My disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." (Matthew 10:42)
Operation Christmas Child Samaritan's Pursebrings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God's love. This ministry of Samaritan's Purse provides an opportunity for people to all ages to be involved in a simple, hands-on missions project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas – Jesus Christ.
ationship with God. 
