From our church’s beginning, VBS was an important and valued ministry. The bank of annual VBS photos dating back to the 1920s testifies to the large crowds that came back in the day when families were large and children had fewer entertainment options. We continue to believe in the value of this ministry both to children in our church and children in our community. Our faithful VBS director, Ethel Dowling, uses VBS as an opportunity for spiritual growth, not just for young children, but also for middle and high schoolers who receive training in how to be VBS leaders and mentors to the younger children.

Carol’s Coats is a ministry of Lauderdale church that works under the direction of Generation 4 Hope, and annually provides coats, hats, gloves, shoes, and socks, along with a small gift to schoolchildren in impoverished areas. We work in coordination with teachers who provide specific information about sizes and colors. The gift boxes are delivered and distributed by members of our church working alongside members of the parent organization. This ministry of compassion and mercy was dear to the heart of Carol and David Tyree, and it is for this reason that the local branch was granted permission to rename their ministry “Carol’s Coats” in memory of Carol.

Lauderdale, like other churches in the area, has an active outreach to the incoming students, known as “rats,” at Virginia Military Institute. This ministry is greatly aided by the hospitality of Pastor Ben and his wife, Ethel. Any VMI student desiring transportation to church, along with a meal after the service is encouraged to reach out to Pastor Ben through the church email. He will be delighted to welcome you to church and his home.

Being in close proximity to this college campus, Lauderdale has enjoyed ministry to both W&L undergraduate and law students. Pastor Ben and his wife Ethel have enjoyed making life long connections with a number of these students and their families, offering hospitality, spiritual mentoring, and when requested, counseling.

Our church supports with volunteers and dollars the local project known as “Christmas Baskets,” which provides food and toys every December to needy families throughout the County.

Once a year, we invite a local representative of Gideons International to offer a report of the Gideon’s ministry to purchase and distribute Bibles to people in need of access to God’s Word. The Gideon ministry is seen by Lauderdale ARP as a ministry of providential evangelistic appointments for God’s lost to be handed His Word. We are also encourage financial support of the local women’s health facility, Comfort Care, through participation in their annual “Baby Bottle Campaign.” And on a weekly basis we offer an opportunity for financial support of RARA, the local food pantry.

In addition to the afore-mentioned local ministries, we financially support the ministries of our denomination as designated by the ARP General Synod. For more information on these specific ministries please see the ARP website at arpchurch.org