Opportunities to Serve

Circle of Welcome Refugee Ministry Team
We have partnered with Lutheran Services and established a Circle of Welcome Refugee Ministry Team to provide hospitality, transportation, education, local support, and friendship to newly relocated refugees in Asheville. 

FirstShine Summer Camp
FirstShine is a traditional summer day camp for young adults in our greater community with special needs. The camp is held at First Baptist Church of Asheville and day activities are geared to the age and interests of each individual, including outings such as horseback riding, bowling, swimming, and more!  This camp is staffed entirely by church volunteers.  Adult and youth volunteers counselors are needed.  (Camp date: July 21-24, 2025).

Free Market
We are working to gather and utilize essential resources including food pantry items, fresh produce, clothes, and essentials. All of these resources will be free and open to our congregation and the community. Available items will be accessible every Thursday from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. from the Charlotte Street entrance. All are welcome to come and get what they need. As we prepare to welcome our neighbors, we also welcome new volunteers of all ages to serve at the Free Market both in assisting guests, unpacking food items, sorting clothing, and picking up food items on Saturday from Trader Joes.

Lunch at the Crossroads
Join us every Thursdays beginning at 12:00 p.m., for a free, hot meal that is served around common tables. As we prepare to welcome our neighbors to our Lunch at the Crossroads meal, we also welcome new volunteers of all ages to serve the meal, volunteer with the clothes closet or food pantry, or come and eat with our guests around common tables. The meal is served at noon and will be followed by an optional Communion Service in the Chapel at 1:00 p.m. Post-Helene many of our hot meals are donated from Mercy Chefs (mercychefs.com). We are so grateful for their care for our community in WNC.

Puerto Rico Mission Trip
Kristen has led several adult mission trips to Puerto Rico focused on hurricane rebuilding projects.  Each trip is focused on supporting those recovering from damage under Hurricane Ian.  No expertise construction knowledge is required – simple open hearts and willing hands.  First Baptist Church Rio Piedras has hosted teams since 2017, all while managing their own facility recovery. After 7 years, FBRP has finally received Fema funding and materials to complete their work, which includes the areas where teams are accommodated. Our next trip will be October 5-11, 2025. Please contact Kristen Kirby, listed in the church directory for more information.

The Peacemakers Team
The Peacemakers Team is a new opportunity for FBCA members to engage in peacemaking. As we build a community of Beautiful Belonging, we will seek to be attentive to challenges that may include, but not be limited to, homelessness, voting rights, refugee settlement, economic and racial inequalities, gender issues, hunger, and the environment. As issues are identified, we will encourage creative involvement in finding solutions through connections with other peacemakers. Contact Mindy Allen in the church directory to get involved in ongoing meetings. We also have an upcoming book club meeting on March 26. Read Jon Tyson’s “Beautiful Resistance” and then make plans to attend a one-hour discussion about this book (see post below for more details).