Rev. Joy Heaton

Joy Heaton,
Pastor

God created us to love and be loved. First, to love God and second, to love each other. We encourage these loving relationships with God and others at Westhampton Baptist Church. It has been said that friends are the family we choose. This web site is an electronic glimpse of the friends we call family and the ways in which we are learning to love God and each other better. We would love for you to join us as we celebrate our journey of faith together.

Notes of Joy

Each Sunday for the past three months deacons and trustees have shared brief testimonies in our weekly bulletin of how they came to Westhampton and why they love our church so much today. Many of them came as newlyweds or when they were small children and their parents were young. Our church has a rich history of offering meaningful ministry to families. How can we minister to more young families with children and youth today?

Some say that our church is graying. Does that mean that we can no longer try to develop a vibrant ministry to young families? Everyone wants to see babies in the nursery and a vibrant youth program. The question is how can we do it? There are so many churches that offer programs for youth in Richmond. Perhaps we can learn from them.

“Jesus said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." (Luke 18:27) Even if we think we can't do it, God can! With God's guidance and strength, let's celebrate our past and plan for an even more vibrant future! God wants us to grow!" ”

Understanding who you are and how much you are loved is the way the stone in front of the tomb of your guilt is rolled away. It is about accepting that you are a beloved child of God. God breathed into you a spirit that can never die. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will have life even if they die. And everyone who lives and believes in me will never die." (John 11:25-26) How could Jesus say that? If our bodies are only containers for our spirits, then the body can die, but the essence of who we really are will still live.

Our close proximity to the University of Richmond is a wonderful window of opportunity for us to reach out to students as prospects. These young people may choose to stay in Richmond after graduation, marry and raise their children here. How wonderful it would be if we focused on welcoming the new freshman class this Fall? Perhaps they would like a home-cooked meal on Wednesday nights or a youth-friendly Sunday evening program similar to the old BTU. Can we reach out to today's youth? Yes! The gospel of love has been meaningful for more than 2,000 years. It is still what young people need today.

Would you be willing to help plan and welcome our new neighbors at U of R this Fall? Do you have ideas about how Westhampton can offer meaningful, creative worship on Sunday nights for these students? Are you willing to pray and ask God to guide our church in reaching the next generation of young people? If so, contact the church office and volunteer. Our Student Committee needs all the help it can get. We can make plans this summer so that we will be ready to welcome the students in late August and early September. Now is the time to pray and plan.

Jesus said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." (Luke 18:27) Even if we think we can't do it, God can! With God's guidance and strength, let's celebrate our past and plan for an even more vibrant future! God wants us to grow!