Ministries at Richmond Assembly of God
There are many opportunities to get involved and to be ministered to here at Richmond Assembly of God...
Sunday School
We have Sunday School classes at 9:45a.m. for all ages including teens and adults. Sunday School begins in the sanctuary with our "Opening". Here we sing a couple of choruses and recognize Birthdays, giving a small gift to each person in celebration. After our time together, we break up into respective classes until 10:50 a.m. and begin morning worship service at 11:00 am.
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." II Tim. 2:15
Sunday Evening Prayer
Sunday Evening Prayer takes place as announced and is held either in the church or in someone’s home. The home prayer groups are well-liked and attended since they offer a more "homey" and "comfy" atmosphere. Usually beverages and a simple dessert are served. The Presence of God is there as well as in the church since "...where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Mat. 18:20
Men's & Women's Prayer Breakfasts
Our monthly Men's Prayer Breakfast and Women's Prayer Breakfast are wonderful ways to experience great Christian fellowship and friendship with our brothers and sisters in the church. It draws us together into a closer bond as we take one another's prayer needs to God, share answers to prayer, and enjoy one another's company as we work together to strengthen the ministry. At times, a short devotional may be shared by one of our men or women. After our time of intercessory prayer, we come together for breakfast and fellowship at one of the local restaurants.
"...but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." Acts 6:4
Wednesday Family Night
At Richmond Assembly of God we are family oriented. Our Wednesday Family Nights feature various activities that keep the whole family together instead of splitting them up into groups, departments, or separate classes. Each Wednesday we begin at 7p.m.. Some of the activities we have enjoyed are: Video/DVD Night, Missionary Guest Service, Craft Night, Praise & Worship, Visiting Seniors at the Assisted Living Center, Cookie Exchange, Teaching Night, Soup Social, Game Night, and more. Each Wednesday includes a time of prayer and sometimes a short devotional. Anyone interested in helping with ideas for Wednesday Family Nights is welcomed to attend our Planning Sessions.
Fellowship Dinners
We have Fellowship Dinners at least every other month immediately following the Sunday AM Worship Service. Everyone is invited to bring a dish or two to pass and the church provides chicken and beverages. Enjoying all the tasty dishes is a popular event with everyone! People continue to fellowship after eating as they work together to clean up the kitchen.
"...that you may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ." I John 1:3
Church Storehouse Ministry
One of the really unique things about Richmond Assembly of God is the Storehouse Ministry. It's different from a lot of churches because the money flows both ways. When our members have an urgent financial crisis, they can receive help through the Storehouse. When they are back on their feet, they can contribute money back to the Storehouse so that the needs of others can be met. It's been a huge blessing to the members and quite an asset to the church.
Children's Church
At Richmond Assembly of God, we offer Children’s Church for kids in grades K-6 on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month. Children's Church begins after our Praise & Worship Time and runs during the Sunday AM Worship Service. There’s one class for grades K-3 and another for grades 4-6. Alternating our Children's Church classes allows our children to spiritually benefit from staying in the main service with their families several times a month.
"But Jesus said, Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Mat. 19:14
Prayer Chain
We have a church prayer chain ministry with intercessors that are ready to take serious prayer requests to the throne of God 24/7. We have seen the hand of God move as He heals, delivers, and sets free those that have had desperate needs.
"...praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints..." Eph. 6:18
Missions
We are a missions-oriented Church and our missions program is extensive. We support 18 foreign missionaries or home missions on a monthly basis and others on occasion. The first Sunday of the month is Missions Sunday in which we focus on BGMC (Boys & Girls Missionary Crusade) and other missionaries. Even our boys and girls get very involved as they save their pennies and dimes in their little yellow "Buddy Barrels". We also have a special guest on that day — the REAL Buddy Barrel comes to visit and promote missions. BGMC funds are used for printed teaching and evangelistic material for our missionaries.
Some of the countries that are represented in our missions outreach are: Argentina, Asia, Singapore, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Lithuania, Poland, Philippines, Spain and Mexico. We also support various home missions and Muslim ministries, including: Chi Alpha (reaching students on secular universities), a Polish speaking church for the Polish people of Metro Detroit, the Convoy of Hope (reaching out to the needy nationally), and Life Challenge (formerly Teen Challenge).
Every month or two, we have one of our missionaries (that are home on leave) come to our church to share their ministry and what God has been doing through them to reach the multitudes in foreign countries.
These missions are through Assemblies of God World Missions where the ministry goals are:
- REACHING: We are proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ to the spiritually lost in all the world through every available means.
- PLANTING: We are establishing chuches in more than 200 nations and territories, following the New Testament pattern.
- TRAINING: We are training leaders throughout the world to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ to their own people and to other nations.
- TOUCHING: We are touching poor and suffering people with the compassion of Jesus Christ and inviting them to become His followers.