Missions @ New Bethesda...

       Missions is a large part of what happens at New Bethesda. Throughout the year we have many special events and opportunities for service, some of which take place at specific times of the year, while others are on-going.

      In the past few years, individuals and groups from New Bethesda have travelled to Punta Gorda, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Lake Placid, the Bahamas, Honduras, Slovakia, Ecuador, Kenya, and throughout Virginia.

      In 2006, New Bethesda coordinated its first-ever churchwide mission project. Two-thirds of active members, ranging in age from 8 to nearly 80, participated in roofing, cooking, leading devotions and encouraging. The story of the project was featured on the frontpage of the Religious Herald, the Virginia Baptist newsjournal.

      One of the largest projects that New Bethesda undertakes each year is Operation Christmas Child. We also participate in Prayer Weeks for the following state, national and international emphases:

      Each summer, a team from New Bethesda travels to Lake Placid to support the triathlon athletes. Individuals and groups also participate as needed with Virginia Baptist Disaster Relief, a part of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. That organization is the third-largest in the nation in disaster relief efforts [behind the American Red Cross and Salvation Army]. And twice each year, the church hosts a blood drive with Virginia Blood Services.