N.C. Baptist leaders are calling on churches across North Carolina to commit a week next August to serving others in their local communities through a special initiative called ServeNC.

ServeNC, scheduled for Aug. 3-10, 2024, encourages local churches to spend all or some of that week completing service projects to meet the needs of their local communities in Jesus’ name.

The initiative was formally announced Tuesday, Sept. 26, at a regularly scheduled meeting of the N.C. Baptist board of directors at Caraway Conference Center near Asheboro, N.C.

“ServeNC is an opportunity for every N.C. Baptist church to serve every community in our state,” said Todd Unzicker, executive director-treasurer for N.C. Baptists. “What if every single church in this state was doing something to serve every single community? We could lead out, and people would take notice of what God is doing here by telling others about Jesus and showing His love.”

Churches can commit to participate by visiting servenc.com. The website also includes resources, promotional materials and a frequently asked questions page to assist churches preparing for the week. 

In addition, starting in early 2024 N.C. Baptists will have the opportunity to attend ServeNC training days, giving churches further possibilities to learn how to identify community needs and implement effective service strategies.

“ServeNC is an opportunity to share Jesus’ love in tangible ways,” said Paul Langston, missions mobilization consultant with Baptists on Mission. “Our goal is to enable churches to love and serve their communities in ways that open the door to the radical love of Jesus transforming communities and lives.”  

As the ServeNC liaison for Baptists on Mission, Langston will be responsible for coordinating trainings and providing other resources for churches planning to serve. Langston will also oversee several county advocates who will help churches plan and implement service projects in their local communities. 

“These county advocates will be great resources for churches who have never done a community blitz as well as those who have a long history of community involvement,” Langston said.  

As of Sept. 26, 170 churches have already committed to participate. Unzicker and other N.C. Baptist staff have been promoting the ServeNC initiative in meetings with pastors and ministry leaders in advance of Tuesday’s formal announcement.

N.C. Baptist churches can expect to receive a ServeNC resource kit in the mail later this fall. The kit will include promotional materials, a prayer guide, service project recommendations and other resources to assist churches address the needs of their communities. 

ServeNC will also be in the spotlight at this year’s annual meeting on Nov. 6-7 in Greensboro. During the meeting, messengers and guests will have the opportunity to visit a ServeNC booth to receive a free resource kit, as well as commit to participate in ServeNC or bring information back to their church. Messengers and guests will also be able to attend several breakout sessions related to the initiative. 

“We value the emphasis that our state is putting on getting into our communities and serving others in Jesus’ name,” said N.C. Baptist board of directors President Zeb Cook, who serves as lead pastor of Apex Baptist Church. “I encourage every N.C. Baptist church to consider participating in ServeNC as a tangible way to share the gospel in word and deed.”