Christmas Backpack season is here! Churches, families and small groups are invited to prepare ministry backpacks this fall in preparation for statewide outreaches to needy communities this Christmas. The culminating event is at the SBCV Annual Homecoming as backpacks are collected in mass, prayed over, and sent out with ministry partners for gospel work!
Why Choose Christmas Backpacks?
There are many ministry options at Christmas – why choose SBCV Christmas Backpacks?
- The ministries receiving the resources are local churches. The backpacks are used in a ministry plan, with gospel proclamation, in connection to a local church.
- The local churches are SBCV partners that are in impoverished areas, revitalizing communities, and serving underreached populations.
- The backpacks are a great example of cooperative missions – churches working together for kingdom impact.
Praise the Lord for these testimonies of the impact of the work:
“Two families came to faith in Jesus as a result of the generosity and gospel opportunity of our backpack outreach.” – Ayman L. – SBCV International Leader, Northern Virginia
“Every school aged child in our town was able to receive a backpack and hear that Jesus loves them. Thank you.” – Billy G. -SBCV Church Planter, Saltville
“Not only did we get to help underprivileged kids (I’m sure that the backpack is all some will get for Christmas) but more importantly we got to share Jesus with others who may not have ever heard about his love.” – Gary O. – SBCV Pastor, Haysi
How to Pack a Backpack
1. Get Ready
All items need to be new • Backpacks should be full-sized with zippers • Choose items appropriate for a boy or girl • Shop with an age range in mind. Elementary (K-5th grades) | Middle (6th-8th grades) | High (9th-12th)
2. Fill the Backpack
To ensure that children receive backpacks similar in content and cost, please adhere to these guidelines.
- 1 school supply pouch filled with sharpened #2 pencils, pack of colored pencils, pack of ink pens, 2 glue sticks
- 1 pack of age appropriate school paper
- 1 personal journal, coloring book, or composition book
- 1 athletic ball
- 1 age appropriate Bible
- 1 set of winter gloves and hat
- 1 refillable water bottle
- 1 gallon Ziplock bag with personal items—toothbrush and toothpaste, hairbrush, soap and shampoo
- 1 gallon Ziplock bag with food supplies—cheese crackers, beef jerky, cereal/fruit bars, applesauce
- 1 quart size Ziplock bag with candy treats—skittles, suckers, anything non-chocolate
3. Identify the Backpack Age
Tie a piece of yarn to the backpack to identify the age category.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GREEN | MIDDLE SCHOOL RED | HIGH SCHOOL YELLOW
Drop-off Locations
Regional Collection Sites
Please drop off backpacks by Wednesday, November 4th. Please contact your nearest location for office hours and any other drop-off information.
2020 Annual Homecoming
The Heights Baptist Church
November 8-9
Find a collection site near you.
NORTH
Open Door Baptist Church
754 Germanna Hwy.
Culpeper, VA 22701
Contact: (540) 825-1549
Ramoth Baptist Church
478 Ramoth Church Rd.
Stafford, VA 22554
Contact: (540) 659-4588
Pillar Church of Woodlawn
9001 Richmond Hwy
Alexandria, VA 22309
Contact: (703) 780-3440
CENTRAL WEST & SOUTHSIDE
North Main Baptist Church
2818 N. Main St.
Danville, VA 24520
Contact: (434) 836-4892
Hyland Heights Baptist Church
11452 Wards Rd.
Rustburg, VA 24588
Contact: (434) 821-6906
VALLEY
Christiansburg Baptist Church
2895 Roanoke St.
Christiansburg, VA 24073
Contact: (540) 394-3200
Wayne Hills Baptist
877 Ladd Rd.
Waynesboro, VA 22980
Contact: (540) 943-2237
SOUTHWEST
Rosedale Baptist Church
26396 Lee Hwy.
Abingdon, VA 24211
Contact: (276) 628-7004
North Bristol Baptist Church
46 Church St.
Bristol, VA 24201
Contact: (276) 466-2811
CENTRAL
Mount Pleasant Baptist Church
3110 Greenwood Ave.
Colonial Heights, VA 23834
Contact: (804) 526-0816
SBC of Virginia
Dominion Place Office Park
4956 Dominion Blvd.
Glen Allen, VA 23060
Contact: (804) 270-1848
First Baptist Church
735 Park St.
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Contact: (434) 296-6195
Note: Please drop off backpacks bundled in large black contractor trash bags.
SOUTHEAST
Pinecrest Baptist Church
209 Felton Rd.
Portsmouth, VA 23701
Contact: (757) 488-2191
Seaford Baptist Church
1311 Seaford Rd.
Seaford, VA 23696
Contact: (757) 898-5384
Frequently Asked Questions
The backpack project began through a North American Mission Board outreach called Appalachian Mountain Ministries (AMM). AMM ceased operations in January 2020. The project is now organized solely through the SBC of Virginia. This change created a need to update terms and specifications to better serve our communities.
Yes, there are ministry related reasons that led to updating these items.
The contents are more streamlined to limit disparity between backpacks. Often, the backpacks are given to families with more than one child. Having the backpacks less apt to wide variation increases equity during ministry outreach.
Similarly, broader age ranges and purchasing items suitable for a boy or girl create greater efficiency in distribution. With this model, the backpacks are more flexible and adaptable for ministry distribution.
Yes, SBCV field leadership offers opportunity for pastors serving Virginia Appalachia to apply for backpacks to reach their community. Members of the SBCV revitalization cohort can also apply to receive the backpacks. In each case, SBCV churches are working together in cooperative missions to support ministry advancement.
As backpacks are dropped off at collection sites, please follow the norms of the hosting church. Wearing a facial covering and social distancing are recommended.
Free Promotional Resources:
Please report your church’s participation in this project below.
If you have additional questions, please call the SBC of Virginia office at (804) 270-1848.
