On any given Sunday morning on our campus, it can be EXTREMELY difficult to find a parking space.  That is a good problem to have because it means that there are a lot of people hearing the Gospel being presented.  It is a bad problem because…well, there is no space to park your car!!

There are over 300 spaces at the Lahaye Ice Center that are not being used effectively on a Sunday.

Starting last Sunday, TRBC Guest Services has started running shuttles from that lot to the front of the church.  There is also free coffee and donuts available to anyone that uses this service.

We need people to help drive these shuttles.

If you have a valid Virginia CDL drivers license and are wanting to team-up to serve in our church, we have a place for you.  We start running the shuttle at 8:15am and conclude at 1pm.  We are needing approximately 10-12 drivers that can rotate in serving on a monthly basis.

If you can assist for only an hour on a Sunday, that would help as well.  All that you need to do is to send an email to Jay Rebsamen by clicking here.

Thanks in advance for your help!

At Thomas Road, we believe that God has designed each of us with a unique S.H.A.P.E.  Our S.H.A.P.E. is the combination of traits that defines who we are.  Our S.H.A.P.E. also determines where our best ministry “fit” will be.

We will be most effective and fulfilled in ministry when we use our Spiritual Gifts and Abilities in the area of our Heart’s desire in a way that best expresses our Personality and Experiences.  Therefore, gaining an understanding of our individual, God-given S.H.A.P.E. is vital for experiencing success and fulfillment in ministry.

Completing your profile will help you in finding a good ministry fit here at Thomas Road Baptist Church.

How do you get started?

1. Open up the file by clicking here on the Shape/Servant profile.  You can fill in the form on your computer.  You don’t have to print it off and fill it out.
   
2. When profile is complete, email servant profile to teamup@trbc.org for mobilization director to help assist you with your next step of getting plugged into TRBC.
3. Feel free to browse this blog for opportunities to serve @ TRBC.

Yesterday morning’s weather was a surprise to alot of people, I think even including the weatherman!!!  The day started of with rain and LOTS of it, the temperature had dropped 20 degrees overnight, and the rain was not going to let up till the afternoon.  Not the greatest time to be outside for any extended amount of time for ANY reason!!!  This was also the first Sunday that TRBC parking team had faced this type of weather head on!

Putting on the parkas and opening up the umbrellas, the parking lot team faced the inclement weather with such enthusiasm and zeal that I am humbled just to be lead such a great group of people.

People were coming inside the front doors making comments of how impressed they were of the dedication of the people greeting them IN THE RAIN BEFORE they walked inside the doors of TRBC.

I just wanted to brag on for a little bit some of the people that help lead the guest service team – Jim, Calvin, Dennis, Danny, Aaron – as well as all the other team members that sacrificially give of their time and talents every Sunday morning to make SOOOO MANY PEOPLE, maybe even you, welcome!!  To all  the men and women that help out in parking lot, shuttle bus, greeters, as well as being an usher – YOU ARE APPRECIATED!!

We are always needing people to team-up with guest services.  You can get plugged in by clicking here to send me, Jay Rebsamen, an email to begin the process of teaming-up on this great team.

On October 30, 2009  at 7pm, Michael W. Smith will bring his “A New Hallelujah” tour to Thomas Road Baptist Church for an unforgettable night of worship through music.  Matt Maher, Phil Stacey, and Liberty University grad Meredith Andrews will be joining MWS on this tour.

50 volunteers are needed to help make this night go as smooth as possible from being an usher, to selling product at product tables, stagehands, etc.

Each volunteer will receive a free ticket to this concert. You will also need to be at Thomas Road Baptist Church by 5:30pm for a volunteer meeting.  There will be no volunteer meetings prior to this one to attend.

Thank you in advance for teaming up to serve at this event!!

Many months of planning finally came to a head at 10am this past Sunday on the campus of GW Highschool in Danville, VA.  Dan River Church, a campus of Thomas Road Baptist Church, launched it’s first service.  What a morning it was!  Over 364 people were in attendance.

65 volunteers from both Danville and Lynchburg teamed up to help with the first impressions, children’s, and worship/tech team’s. Asking some of the volunteers their experience on Sunday was absolutely amazing, “God showed up in a powerful way”, “I have been involved in several church plants, this tops them all”, “Was blown away by all the people that showed up; they kept coming in the doors!”

You can team up to serve on one of the several Dan River teams by clicking here.  God is up to something amazing in Danville, VA!!

Thank you to all the volunteers that are helping Dan River Church.  It doesn’t go unnoticed!!

More than 40 people from TRBC and LU piled in one bus and two vans last Saturday to setup a block party and show the love of Christ to the residents of Danville.  People of all ages poured onto the future site of  Dan River Church where there was plenty of free food and games. More than 300 people from the community came through and participated in the festivities.  A good time was had by all.

A very special thanks to all volunteers that teamed up to make that day such a special event in the history of Dan River Church.

An informational meeting will be held Sunday, Oct. 4 at 4:30 p.m. in Pate Chapel about the Women’s ministry trip to Guatemala on Feb. 22-27. Volunteers will be feeding hungry children, caring for infants, delivering food and supplies to villages, sharing Christ’s love with orphans and attend the dedication of a new clean water well.

More information can be found here.

TRBC members will leave Tuesday Oct. 6 for Atlanta, Georgia to team up with Samaritan’s Purse and help those affected by the recent flooding. Transportation will be provided and volunteers will be housed at the West Ridge Church where Brian Bloye is lead pastor. Meals will also be provided, except during travel. Volunteers will return to Lynchburg on Sunday Oct. 11.

E-mail Tim Grandstaff or call him at 434-592-4669 for more information.

A group consisting of both Jr. High and Sr. High students from here at Thomas Road went to Danville, Va this past Saturday with one purpose in mind: get the word out to people in Danville about Dan River Church.  The way this was going to be accomplished was putting door hangers on doors all through out various neighborhoods.  It sounds like a pretty easy task…when doing it in dry weather!!!  On Saturday, it rained pretty much all day – NOT FUN!!

The majority of the students that went had no idea the huge impact they were making on the Kingdom of God by simply putting a door hanger on a door.

I asked Micah Hasty, asst. middle school pastor,  to write about the experience on Saturday.  Click here to read from what happened from his eyes.

Thanks Micah for the blog and one student ministry for teaming up and making a difference!

The staff at Gleaning For The World have been preparing supplies in case of a natural disaster and now they need your help!  Gleaning will be at Sam’s Club this Friday night (4:30-8:30) and Saturday (9-6) to collect items to send down to the flood victims in Georgia.  Gleaning is in need of volunteers to help pass out flyers and load their truck of the supplies being purchased at Sam’s Club for this project.  If you are able to help Friday night or on Saturday, please let Mandy Wood know by sending her an email – mandy@gftw.org . They will be working shifts of 3 hours on Saturday: 9-12, 12-3, and 3-6.  If you are available during any or all of them, please let Mandy know!

GFTW is accepting the following supplies as well for this huge need in Georgia:

• Water in 16oz bottles
• Shaving Cream
• Gatorade
• Razors
• Green Tea
• Feminine Care Products
• Diapers
• Shampoo
• Baby Wipes
• Soap
• Formula for babies
• Flash Lights and batteries
• Paper plates
• Deodorant
• Plastic Utensils
• Coke and Pepsi Products
• Paper towels
• Napkins
• Tooth brush and tooth paste
• Non-perishable food in individual containers

Used clothing and used shoes will not be accepted.

GFTW welcomes any financial contributions to assist with the cost of shipping necessities such as bottled water, blankets, and shoes to communities destroyed by flood.  Please go to Disaster Network to partner with Gleaning for the World.  You can also contact GFTW @ 434.993.3600.

Every fall TRBC Children’s Ministry hosts a Kid’s Karnival.  Toy Hine, TRBC Children’s Ministry Director, needs at least 100 adult volunteers to Team Up and make this event a success on October 31, 2009.

• 20 adult volunteers are needed on Friday night, October 30 from 6-9:30pm to set-up.
  
• 60 adult volunteers are needed on Saturday, October 31 from 9am-3pm to set-up.
  
• 10 adult volunteers are needed on Saturday, October 31 from 5:30-8pm to supervise the carnival.
  
• 5 adult volunteers are needed on Saturday, October 31 from 8-10pm to tear down.

Contact Toy Hine by clicking here to send her an email or by calling her at 434.592.4289. Which time will YOU team up to serve at?

Thomas Road’s first satellite church will launch on Sunday, October 4 and we need your help to get the word out.

On Saturday, October 3 a Coach bus will be leaving the main TRBC parking lot at 7:30 a.m. to take volunteers to Danville to spread the word about Dan River Church. Volunteers will canvass local neighborhoods with door hangers and help with an outreach block party and sports ministry.

Lunch will be provided, but it is recommended volunteers bring snack money. Dress should be comfortable and modest. The bus should return to TRBC by 5 p.m.

For more information contact Tim Grandstaff.

Approximately 80 Pre-school ministry leaders met for a dinner and training session Monday night. Pastor Matt Willmington encouraged them to be diligent with their own spiritual lives so their lessons would be real and not just curriculum.

The Pre-school ministry reaches children from two years old to Kindergarten, and they still need teaches and leaders to work on Sunday from 9:15-10:50 and 10:50-12:30 with the twos, threes, Pre-K and Kindergarten groups. AWANA leaders are needed to help with Puggles (2) and Cubbies (2 ½ to 4) from 5:15-7:30.

Wednesday evening help is also needed from 5:45-7:30 for the Shining Star Club and Little Acorn Choir from 5:45-7:30.

Team Up right now in the Pre-school ministry by clicking here to contact Jani DeSaegher or by calling her directly at 434.592.4281.

This past weekend 150 women who are leading this year’s Bible study came together at the Master’s Inn for ministry training.

Coffee Break began last night with 350 ladies from all over the community. Awaken, a girls worship band from Liberty University lead the worship time and the room came alive with excitement as ladies made new friends and learned how to incorporate their faith into their personal and professional lives.

There is still  room available. Any women interested in joining the study of “Discerning the Voice of God” by Priscilla Shirer can come on Tuesday nights from 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. in Pate Chapel or click here if you have further questions.

The Virginia Christmas Spectacular is only only a few months away and preparation has already begun. Last Saturday more than 250 volunteers attended the kick off party in Pate Chapel.

After a time of fellowship Charles Billingsley introduced volunteers to this year’s leadership. Director, Lorie Marsh, then took time to share the vision behind this year’s script.

Every volunteer is like a link in a chain, according to Marsh.  If one is missing, things won’t go as they should.

After the meeting volunteers broke into groups based on the area they will be serving in. The choir rehearsed the music, the cast read through the script, stage hands discussed the set and seamstresses began cutting out fabric for costumes.

Offstage positions with costumes, props, decoration, stage hands and hospitality are still available for those who would like to serve in this unique ministry. Men are also needed to help prepare and tear down the stage. For more information about teaming up with VCS e-mail Kathy Jordan by clicking here or call the music office at 434-832-2003.

The past 7 weeks, Pastor Jonathan Falwell encouraged the entire TRBC church body during the SENT series to go from the seat to the street and serve.

Couples for Christ, a small group that meets Sunday mornings, decided to do something a little bit different today.  Instead of meeting in their room for Bible study, they decided to team-up and serve on the guest services team the whole entire morning!!  Over 30 people from Couples for Christ did an amazing job welcoming people onto our church campus.

A HUGE thank you to Rick and Tamera Raspberry and the entire Couples for Christ group for stepping up to the plate this morning!!!  You guys were AWESOME!!

Who will be the next TRBC small group to step up and serve?

Youth from grades six to 12 have the opportunity to be a part of Thomas Road’s first satellite church.

On September 26, the Jr. and Sr. High school departments will be piling in buses and heading to Danville, VA to canvass neighborhoods with information about Dan River Church.

They will leave from TRBC Main Street at 9 a.m. and return around 2 p.m.

To reserve a spot on the bus contact Tammy Sahadak.  Click here to send her an email or feel free to call 434.592.4670.

Teenagers teaming up to serve…making a difference in a local community.

The summer is drawing to an end, students are returning to school and the chill of fall is starting to creep its way over the mountains.  While the temperature is cooling down, things here at Thomas Road Baptist Church are just beginning to heat up.

On September 23, TRBC will offer another exciting session of Community Groups.  Community Groups are hobby and interest based groups that connect the interests, and needs of the community to the church.  We need your help to make it the best season TRBC has ever seen.  September 9, there will be a dinner and brief meeting for anyone that is wanting to lead a group.  If you have a hobby that you would love to share with others click here to contact Anthony Randall or call him at 434.592.4888 to learn how you can lead a group this fall.

Tim Grandstaff, TRBC outreach pastor, along with 18 other individuals from TRBC went to Charlottesville, VA for the day on August 29.  The purpose for the trip was to help a new church plant, The Point, with their Block Party.  Nate Rockey, director of outreach at The Point, had the following to say to Tim Grandstaff in an email today regarding TRBC volunteer involvement:

“Wow, what a weekend!  I can’t begin to once again express our deepest gratitude for you and your ministry team’s help!  We had five different families decide to join us for our first preview service the next day as a direct result of the outreach.

Please convey to your team what a blessing they were and that you should be proud of their obvious desire to do whatever it takes to serve and evangelize the community!!!  That was our first outreach event, so I hope that despite not knowing what to expect, it was still a very profitable time for you and your team.  We are already in the works of planning a second block party event for the day before our launch on October 11.  I want to firm up some details before we announce it to people, but I wanted to put that thought in your head.  I can keep you posted as we move closer to that date.  

Once again, it was an absolute pleasure to do ministry with you, your wife, and your team this past weekend.  Thank you for your help financially and otherwise!”

Click here for more information about The Point.

Over 100 Children’s Ministry volunteer workers came together last night to be honored at the Children’s Ministry Volunteer Appreciation dinner.  Toy Hine, director of TRBC children’s ministry, and her team did a great job.  The praise team for this ministry is comprised of the children that attend, who are in 4th and 5th grade.  They led the singing for the evening.  The pictures above show them doing just that.  At each of the place settings, children wrote thank you notes to all of the teachers – very inspiring.

At the end of the evening Matt Willmington, pastor of ministry development, thanked all the volunteers for their sacrificial giving each and every week to the work of the Lord.  He also challenged the team of volunteers to keep putting the Lord first in every aspect of their lives along with making sure that their walk with the Lord is right before serving others.  When it is, life is easier.

We are blessed to have such a great team of volunteers in the children’s ministry, yet more can be done if more people were mobilized to be apart of this great ministry.  Children’s ministry is presently in need of a 5th grade teacher.  Click here to get in touch with Toy if that interests you or you would like more information of teaming up to be apart of the childrens ministry.