Missions
Missions are a vital part of a Christian living out their faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus spoke plainly in Acts 1:8 about His desire for the church to fulfill His plan for missions. We seek to follow His missions plan by doing missions in our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. We do so by serving in Local, State, National, and International missions. Check out our missions pages and see what we are doing here at Oak Ridge. If you are interested in finding out more about the Senior Adult Ministry at Oak Ridge, contact the church office.
Local Missions
Oak Ridge is involved in many different mission projects in our local community. Below are just a few ways we share the Gospel and the love of Christ to those in our community.
SHEKINAH FOOD MINISTRY
The Shekinah Food Ministry is a ministry of Oak Ridge Baptist Church to share the Lord Jesus Christ by providing food to those in need in our community. It is our mission to apply the biblical lesson of Matthew 25:34-40 to bring honor to Christ, our Lord, thus the Hebrew word Shekinah, meaning “to God be the glory.” However, all of the hard work and good intentions in the world cannot replace the blessings of God. Every time we have a need, God provides it. When we need food, He sends it. When we need workers, He provides them, and we praise Him for all He does. If you need more information, please call the church office.
Our Beginning…
The food ministry idea started years ago by Lucille Beach from a pantry in the old church. Then we started collecting food in a box in a Sunday School room. The Shekinah Food Ministry, meaning “To God Be the Glory”, began in 2001 under the direction of Mel Campos as a meager attempt to distribute canned goods to struggling families in the Eastern Burke County area. The first distribution was on May 17, 2001 and we served 47 families.
The food ministry has grown tremendously over the last 17 years. We now serve between 550 & 600 families each month and also help numerous other ministries in the area. We have 2 distribution days monthly. This effort is sustained completely by a group of dedicated volunteer believers. The ministry has grown beyond a single church organization. We now have volunteers from over 16 area churches. The Second Harvest Food Bank in Charlotte, NC along with donations from local grocery stores provide 100% of our products.
When is the distribution?
Every 3rd Thursday of each month and the Monday before the 3rd Thursday of each month beginning at 1:30 PM until 4:00 PM. The food is distributed at the Smith Hall Fellowship Building located at 7262 Rhodhiss Rd.,
Connelly Springs, NC.
Distribution Dates for 2020
| Jan 13 | Jan 16 |
| Feb 17 | Feb 20 |
| Mar 16 | Mar 19 |
| Apr 13 | Apr 16 |
| May 18 | May 21 |
| Jun 15 | Jun 28 |
| Jul 13 | Jul 16 |
| Aug 17 | Aug 20 |
| Sep 14 | Sep 17 |
| Oct 12 | Oct 15 |
| Nov 16 | Nov 19 |
| Dec 14 | Dec 17 |
COMPASSIONATE HEARTS CLINIC
Clinic now open
Compassionate Hearts Clinic is an interdenominational faith-based corporation whose mission is to provide charitable and affordable primary care to people living in Burke County who have limited financial resources.
The Clinic is committed to honoring the God-given dignity and value of people by promoting their health and well-being. The Compassionate Hearts Clinic is a supported ministry of Oak Ridge Baptist Church. ORBC provided necessary resources and manpower to renovate an un-used sanctuary and transformed it into the welcoming facility used today.
What Compassionate Hearts Clinic Can Offer:
- Provide you with a true medical home
- A facility that can accommodate your basic healthcare needs
- On site lab testing
- Diabetic education
- Referral to specialists as recommended by your provider
- Referral to obtain an X-ray, MRI, CT Scan, or other testing deemed necessary
- On site EKG with immediate reading
Do You Qualify?
1. Must be 18 years of age or older
2. Have a photo ID
3. Be able to provide proof of address showing a Burke County address (anything that comes through the mail)
4. If you are currently working, provide pay stubs for last 30 days
5. Income must be less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
6. Provide Federal Tax Return 1040 for previous year (if taxes were filed – if you didn't file, that's okay)
7. If you have no income, provide a “Letter of Support” from whomever helps you with food, lodging, transportation, etc
8. Must not be covered under Medicare, Medicaid, VA benefits, or private health insurance
Our Schedule
Clinic Re-Opens Tuesday November 5th 2019
2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
4th Thursday of each month 9:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Contact & Location
Phone: 828-522-1112 or 828-522-1067
Fax: 828-522-1003
7449 Oak Ridge Church Road, Connelly Springs, NC 28612
Directions
From Hickory – I-40 East:
Take Exit 116. Turn right off ramp. At stop light, go straight across bridge on Icard School Rd. At stop sign turn right onto Rhodhiss Rd. Take first left onto Oak Ridge Church Rd. Compassionate Hearts Clinic is in the 3rd church building on the right.
From Morganton – I-40 West:
Take Exit 113. At stop light at end of ramp, turn left onto Malcolm Blvd. Next light, turn right onto Hwy 70. You will pass Lindy's Furniture on right. When you see Dollar General sign, turn left onto Shady Grove Rd. Go approximately 1 mile and turn right at outdoor basketball court onto Oak Ride Church Rd. Compassionate Hearts Clinic will be 1st church building on your left on a hill at the GSC sign.
CARE MINISTRY
Christians Actively Reaching Everyone is a ministry in which the members of our church are striving to reach the community for Christ. Members write their concerns on a "CARE" card with the contact information of a person who has a physical, spiritual or emotional need. The ministry teams meet each Tuesday night to pray, write encouraging words, and to visit those in need. "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2
CATAWBA RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
As a part of the Catawba River Baptist Association, Oak Ridge has many opportunities to minister to the people of Burke County. ORBC partners with other Burke County Baptist Churches to perform mission projects here at home and in other parts of the country. Find out more about the Catawba River Baptist Association here.
State Missions
Oak Ridge is involved in different mission projects in our state. Some of our state mission projects are independent projects while others are done through our participation in the Baptist State Convention of NC. Below are just a few ways we share the Gospel and the love of Christ to those in our state.
NC MISSIONS OFFERING
The ministries of NC Baptist Men, church planting, mission camps, associational projects, and mobilization ministry projects are available because of contributions to the North Carolina Missions Offering. Oak Ridge sets an annual goal and gives church members an opportunity to support this offering. You can learn more about the NC Missions Offering here.
click for NC Missions Offering
CASWELL WORK WEEKS
Members from Oak Ridge work with members from other area churches to help do repairs and maintenance at the NC Baptist Assembly at Fort Caswell. Members spend a week doing various types of projects around the campus to help prepare the camp for thousands of guests each year.
National Missions
Oak Ridge is involved in different mission projects across our country. Some of our national mission projects are organized through the NC Baptist Men and other organizations. Others are done through our participation in the Southern Baptist Convention. Below are just a few ways we share the Gospel and the love of Christ with people across our country.
ANNIE ARMSTRONG EASTER OFFERING
Oak Ridge, along with other Southern Baptist churches, seeks to support church planters and missionaries across North America through the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering (AAEO). Each Easter Southern Baptist churches collect the AAEO to help keep missionaries on the field in the U.S. and Canada. The offering also goes to support church plants all across North America. Each year Oak Ridge sets a goal and encourages the congregation to help meet the goal. To learn more about the AAEO click here.
click for Annie Armstrong Easter Offering
APPALACHIAN CHRISTMAS OUTREACH
NC Baptist Men in partnership with Appalachian Regional Ministries offer a Christmas Backpack Outreach to children in the Appalachian Region. Oak Ridge participates annually in the Appalachian Christmas Outreach. We collect supplies to fill backpacks to be distributed in the Appalachian Region during the month of December. In December, when backpacks are distributed, each child learns that Jesus loves them and wants to be their friend. To learn more about the Appalachian Christmas Outreach click here.
click for Appalachian Christmas Outreach
COATS FOR THE CITY
Oak Ridge, along with other NC Baptist Churches, participate each year in a ministry that provides coats for people in New York City. Through a partnership with the Metropolitan New York Baptist Association, NC Baptist Churches, like Oak Ridge, are able to donate coats to be distributed during the month of December. When coats are distributed, volunteers have the opportunity to share with people about Jesus. Coats are generally collected in the early fall at Oak Ridge and then sent to the Catawba River Baptist Association in Morganton before being processed and sent to New York.
International Missions
Oak Ridge is involved in mission projects on an international level as well. Some of our international mission projects are organized through the NC Baptist Men and other organizations. Others are done through our participation in the Southern Baptist Convention. Below are just a few ways we share the Gospel and the love of Christ with people across the globe.
LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING
Oak Ridge, along with other Southern Baptist churches, seeks to support church planters and international missionaries across the world through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (LMCO). Each Christmas Southern Baptist churches collect the LMCO to help keep more than 4,800 missionaries on the field in countries all over the world. Each year Oak Ridge sets a goal and encourages the congregation to help meet the goal. To learn more about the LMCO click here.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOXES
Each year Samaritan's Purse collects shoeboxes filled with gifts, hygiene items, and toys for children all around the world through their ministry Operation Christmas Child (OCC). When those shoeboxes are distributed each child receives a magazine sharing the Gospel in their native language, as well as a presentation from the local pastor. Oak Ridge collects shoeboxes for OCC, prays over them, and delivers them to the OCC Collection Center in Boone, NC. Each year Oak Ridge sets a goal and encourages the congregation to help meet the goal. To learn more about Operation Christmas Child click here.
ORBC Mission Team
One way that Oak Ridge is able to accomplish some of its mission efforts is through the service of church members on the ORBC Mission Team. The ORBC Mission Team is a team of church members who come together to accomplish certain mission projects here at home, around NC, the U.S. and even internationally.
The team is driven by the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:5 where he says, "For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake." Everything we do as a team is done to help proclaim the Gospel and the name of Jesus to those who have not heard them.
