Ministries
Bible Study
Who says that studying the Bible has to be dull and boring? At Raritan Valley Baptist Church, we believe that studying “the greatest story ever told” should be fun, engaging, and, most importantly, applicable to our lives today. At our intimate and interactive Wednesday night Bible studies, you’ll hear no lectures or sermons. With the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we engage God’s Word together, sharing our insights, experiences, and applications, while never shying away from the tough questions. We learn from each other, as we grow closer to the Lord together. God is still speaking to us through His Word. In the words of Jesus, “Let those who have ears hear.”
FISH
RVBC is currently involved in an inter-denominational mission/food distribution program (FISH) in the New Brunswick area. Food is packed and delivered to residents of two senior citizen apartment complexes each month. Our members pack and deliver food for Easter and Thanksgiving, and purchase toys for an additional hundred or more families for Christmas.
Knitting Outreach
Interested in joining a group that gives to the community, shares their knowledge, and is always eager to learn? Does knitting that new poncho, sweater, or hat excite you? Have you always wanted to knit, but didn’t know how? Then come join the “Sojourner’s Purls” Knitting Guild. The group meets every first and third Thursday of the month from 7-9 p.m. at church. Please see or contact Charlene Jackson (732) 662-7463 for more information.
Music
Our choir is a dedicated group who truly love spiritual music. We glorify the Lord by singing a combination of hymns, praise songs and special music. Do you share that same passion for music? All are welcome to join our choir. Our Worship Team meets for practice on Wednesday evenings at 8:30 p.m.
Nursery
Raritan Valley takes time to care for children less than five years of age while their parents are in worship. We feel responsible for every child that comes to us, teaching him/her the crucial first steps of their walk with God. Various church members minister on a rotating basis to our little ones during the nursery hour by singing with them, reading them Bible stories, and guiding them to interact as Christians during their play time. We sense that God has a special passion for these little ones He has created, and that He is at work during this time, laying in them the strong foundation that only Jesus can provide.
Sunday School
Adult Bible Study
Adults begin their Sunday mornings at Raritan Valley immersed in the Word of God. Our church school class studies topical series such as Freedom in Christ, Challenges of the Christian Life, The Church on Mission, and Repairing Relationships. God has given us members from Asia, Africa and various states from the U.S. Across this group, we have students, homemakers, professionals, and retirees. The varied origins and current stations of our members testify to the diversity of souls that God calls into His Kingdom. Each of us benefits richly by sharing with one another the message that God has written into His Holy Word for us, both as individuals and as a group.
Youth Sunday School
Our Sunday School class begins at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday morning. It ends at 10:30 a.m. This is a multi-aged class for children in grades one through six. We have seventh through ninth grade helpers. This is a fun, interactive life application Bible class.
WMU
The RVBC WMU group meets the second Tuesday of each month – September through June. Each month we have a program regarding a mission project. The members take turns conducting the program. One of the projects the group works on is making up toiletry kits for the abused women’s shelter. Another project is collecting funds from our members each month in order to purchase a water purifier for people in various countries who do not have pure water to drink. The WMU group is open to all women of the church.
Youth
Raritan Valley Baptist Youth Outreach began as a means to reach out to the youth in and around Edison, bringing them into a Christian community in which they can come to know Jesus Christ. The ministry is our response to Christ’s call to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel to all, in word and in deed. RVBC Youth Outreach works to focus its outreach on youth who have not connected to area churches, while maintaining a consistent spiritual development program for members of our church. As their faith is developed, the youth of RVBC will be discipled so that these young Christians may themselves begin to reach out to their friends.
This youth ministry is designed to connect with young people on three separate levels: personal, interpersonal, and communal. The presentation of the Gospel to those who have never heard it is the primary goal. RVBC outreach will bring youth into the Christian faith, as they are personally transformed by God’s grace through faith. By creating a nurturing environment, we hope to impact young people’s relationships with their families and peers. Finally, RVBC Youth Outreach will equip young people to be agents for change in their world, as they have a chance to serve Christ.