The Missions Ministry exists to inform church members of worldwide mission opportunities and to provide encouragement and resources for those who choose to participate in these opportunities. There is a variety of ways that Christians demonstrate God’s love and bring others to faith in Jesus. Three broad categories stand out: praying, giving and going. The Riverland Hills family prays for the world as they focus on Christian missionaries and the people of specific world regions.

Upcoming Mission Trips for 2013

Please contact the mission leader for trip details.

Alaska:
August 4-11
Contact Jimmy Pitts at 803.772.3227

Greenville, SC - Paint the Town:
August 2-4
Contact Missy Carnaggio at 749.5497.

Peru:
May 22-29
Contact Jim Griffin at 803.414.7271

August 21-29
Contact Gary Williams at 803.960.6704

October 9-17
Contact Denny Gibbons at 803.260.0340

Nova Scotia:
June 27-July3
Contact Tim Brown at 803.772.1405

If you have any other questions, please contact Rev. Tim Hawkins at 803.772.3227.

Mission Friends
This group, for ages 2-5, meets Wednesday evenings for the purpose of teaching boys and girls about the importance of missions, and the work of our missionaries.

GA's
Girls in grades 1-6 will benefit from participation in this program which teaches the importance of missions and the work of our missionaries, interest activities, and personal development. - Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m.

RA's
Boys in grades 1-6 will benefit from participation in this program which teaches the importance of missions and the work of our missionaries, interest activities, and personal development. - Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m.

Women on Mission : Women's Groups
There are five women's groups that meet for prayer, missions education, practical service and fellowship:

• The Irene Wright Group meets the first Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in various homes. Contact: Mrs. Betty Jane Starnes
  
• The Day Group meets the second Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Contact: Mrs. Anne Snipes.
  
• Women of His Heart meets 2nd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. at the home of Missy Carnaggio. As a primary mission project locally.
  
• HIS International
  
• The lunch around the world women's mission group works with this group on an on-going ministry to international students.

Senior Advocacy
Designed to reach out to our homebound senior adults and nursing home residents, the members of this group make contact through telephone calls, visits, flowers, food, birthday observances, and perform other duties as needed.

Baptist Men
The men of the church take an active role in looking after the needs of those unable to perform minor home repairs, yard work etc., through the Helping Hands ministry. There are also several men's groups that meet for prayer on a weekly basis;. Bible studies for adults and youth are conducted at several Department of Corrections facilities.

Prison Ministry
Each Sunday, groups of men go out to several Department of Corrections facilities to teach Bible studies to the residents. At Christmas, the church participates in the preparation of "prison packets", a gift packet to each of the prison residents throughout the state. Once a year, the ladies participate in the preparation of food for the Annual Picnic at the women's facility.

Nursing Home Ministry
A Sunday School class is taught each Sunday to the residents at the Brian Center, a local nursing home. Visits are made on a regular basis, and gifts distributed when appropriate. It is interesting to note that some of the residents have become involved in a ministry themselves, as they have participated in knitting and crocheting caps for the Seafarers Ministries.

Homebound Ministry
This ministry is conducted through our Senior Advocacy group, and is designed to reach out to our homebound senior adults and nursing home residents through telephone calls, visits, flowers, food, birthday observances, and to perform other duties as needed.

Helping Hands Ministry
The men of the church take an active role in looking after the needs of those unable to perform minor home repairs, yard work etc., through the Helping Hands ministry.

Salvation Army Assistance (December)
During the month of December, it is our privilege to assist with "tending the kettles" for the Salvation Army, as contributions are received to be distributed to those less fortunate. Many in our congregation have taken part in this worthwhile project, which has proven to be a time of blessing for those assisting, as well as those receiving the assistance.

Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ministry
Each Sunday, several men from the church go out to this facility to teach Bible studies to the residents. Our youth also, assist in this ministry, as the Challengers (boys in grades 7-12) go out to participate in group activities with the residents. Birthday parties are given each month, and the boys take an active part in sharing Christ with the residents.

Mission Development Council
This council is comprised of interested church members who have a concern for missions (including the WMU and Brotherhood chairpersons), and is designed to oversee the funding of volunteer international and home missionaries.

Volunteer Mission Trips
One of the outstanding characteristics of our church, is the keen interest in missions. Over the years, many of our adults and youth have participated in volunteer mission trips both in the United Stated, and in several foreign countries such as Brazil, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Romania, and Israel. Several mission trips have been made to West Virginia to assist with various projects, as well as presenting meaningful Bible studies.

Youth Choir Mission Trips
We are blessed with a very active program for our youth, which includes a fantastic Youth Choir, and Inner Peace, a smaller ensemble of youth. One of the highlights of our music program with youth, is the Youth Choir Mission Trip. Over the years, they have taken trips to St. Louis, Missouri; Baltimore, Maryland; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Smoky Mountain Resort Area in North Carolina; Ocean City, Maryland; Buffalo, New York/Canada; Panama City, Florida and New Orleans, Louisiana. These trips include conducting "Backyard Bible Clubs" or Vacation Bible School, as well as presenting choral concerts.