Women on Mission - October Update
Published October 20, 2025
October Update
Women on Mission learned much about Camp Bethel in Wise, VA, when camp directors Brian and Angela Sackett were guest speakers at the Oct. 13 monthly meeting.
Brian and Angela began their ministry at Camp Bethel 4 1/2 years ago, and camp participation has since grown from 200 children to more than 2,000 this past summer. "God continues to amaze us," Brian said. Started in 1939 by founder John Henry who wanted to share Jesus with local coal miners and their families, Camp Bethel now encompasses 26 buildings on 160 acres, including a lake. Every child who memorized 100 Bible verses could attend camp free of charge.
The Sacketts focus on using the camp to impact the Wise, VA, community and beyond, saying they are very passionate that the Lord ordains families and ordains churches, which changed the model for how they operate Camp Bethel. Today the camp focuses on bringing in whole church groups who bring their own leaders. Staff serve in the kitchen, do housekeeping, work at the lake and the coffee shop. Presently, the Sacketts are praying for God to provide a couple to serve as staff parents and mentor the staff.
The newly expanded camp coffee shop, a converted cabin, is a place where staff and campers can interact with the community on a daily basis, including students from the local University of Virginia campus. The camp is now holding year-round Bible studies and participating in local festivals. The coffee shop has become a regular hangout for local college athletes. "We love college students because they don't have to be there; they choose to be there," Brian said.
The camp offers opportunities to "rest well, play well, eat well, grow together — to connect generations in Christ." Brian and Angela said they are always looking for ways to do more in the community, and to accomplish this they invite the community to participate in strategic planning sessions. A developing camp program would serve pastors and their families who may be burnt out, or whose marriage or family relationships are struggling. Another effort will provide outdoor activities including snow tubing, zip lines, a rock-climbing wall, and a handicap-accessible playground. A home-school cooperative serves 25 families and more than 60 students.
WOM also learned about how volunteers, such as First Baptist's Beacon Mission Team, have made a difference as they help with repairs, groundskeeping, and renovations. Churches are invited to Adopt a Cabin by raising money for repairs and interior design. Some 14 church families have invested to date.
Brian and Angela began their ministry at Camp Bethel 4 1/2 years ago, and camp participation has since grown from 200 children to more than 2,000 this past summer. "God continues to amaze us," Brian said. Started in 1939 by founder John Henry who wanted to share Jesus with local coal miners and their families, Camp Bethel now encompasses 26 buildings on 160 acres, including a lake. Every child who memorized 100 Bible verses could attend camp free of charge.
The Sacketts focus on using the camp to impact the Wise, VA, community and beyond, saying they are very passionate that the Lord ordains families and ordains churches, which changed the model for how they operate Camp Bethel. Today the camp focuses on bringing in whole church groups who bring their own leaders. Staff serve in the kitchen, do housekeeping, work at the lake and the coffee shop. Presently, the Sacketts are praying for God to provide a couple to serve as staff parents and mentor the staff.
The newly expanded camp coffee shop, a converted cabin, is a place where staff and campers can interact with the community on a daily basis, including students from the local University of Virginia campus. The camp is now holding year-round Bible studies and participating in local festivals. The coffee shop has become a regular hangout for local college athletes. "We love college students because they don't have to be there; they choose to be there," Brian said.
The camp offers opportunities to "rest well, play well, eat well, grow together — to connect generations in Christ." Brian and Angela said they are always looking for ways to do more in the community, and to accomplish this they invite the community to participate in strategic planning sessions. A developing camp program would serve pastors and their families who may be burnt out, or whose marriage or family relationships are struggling. Another effort will provide outdoor activities including snow tubing, zip lines, a rock-climbing wall, and a handicap-accessible playground. A home-school cooperative serves 25 families and more than 60 students.
WOM also learned about how volunteers, such as First Baptist's Beacon Mission Team, have made a difference as they help with repairs, groundskeeping, and renovations. Churches are invited to Adopt a Cabin by raising money for repairs and interior design. Some 14 church families have invested to date.
Service Project
Women on Mission will be collecting items that are needed at Hope House, a vital ministry for our local community. Among the items needed are:
- Child/Infant: soap, shampoo, wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste.
- Hygiene: bar soap, men's or women's body wash, combs, hairbrushes, men's or women's deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, razors, shaving cream, toothbrushes, toothpaste.
- Household: all-purpose cleaner, dish soap, laundry detergent, paper towels (individual rolls), toilet paper, Kleenex.
Collected items should be brought to the Nov. 10 WOM meeting.
Coming in November
Women on Mission will meet next on Monday, Nov. 10, where they will hear from guest speaker Oliver Hawkins. Oliver served with the International Mission Board (IMB) in China for a number of years before beginning his work as an inner-city church planter in Cincinnati, Ohio.
A Kentucky native and graduate of Oneida Baptist Institute, the University of the Cumberlands, Eastern Kentucky University, and Southern Seminary, Oliver taught for six years at Oneida Baptist Institute, where he met his wife, Valerie. He taught public school for seven years in Cincinnati before being called into fulltime ministry.
He and Valerie served with the IMB in East Asia before returning to Cincinnati in 2005. In 2006 he joined the staff of the Baptist Association of Greater Cincinnati as a strategist for the Ministry of Evangelism. Since 2015 Oliver has served as the North American Mission Board church planting catalyst for SEND Cincinnati. Their hope is to see hundreds of churches planted to reach the 1.5 million people living in greater Cincinnati who do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior.
The November WOM meeting will begin with a covered-dish luncheon in the Buchanan Hall at First Baptist at 11:30 a.m. The speaker's presentation will follow at noon.
A Kentucky native and graduate of Oneida Baptist Institute, the University of the Cumberlands, Eastern Kentucky University, and Southern Seminary, Oliver taught for six years at Oneida Baptist Institute, where he met his wife, Valerie. He taught public school for seven years in Cincinnati before being called into fulltime ministry.
He and Valerie served with the IMB in East Asia before returning to Cincinnati in 2005. In 2006 he joined the staff of the Baptist Association of Greater Cincinnati as a strategist for the Ministry of Evangelism. Since 2015 Oliver has served as the North American Mission Board church planting catalyst for SEND Cincinnati. Their hope is to see hundreds of churches planted to reach the 1.5 million people living in greater Cincinnati who do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior.
The November WOM meeting will begin with a covered-dish luncheon in the Buchanan Hall at First Baptist at 11:30 a.m. The speaker's presentation will follow at noon.
Ongoing Activities
WOM also supports Hope House of Union County by collecting personal hygiene items such as shampoo, body wash, deodorant, etc., which are distributed free of charge to Hope House clients. Through offerings collected monthly and budget funding from First Baptist, WOM are supporting the following ministries:
- Cowboy Church of Jerusalem to purchase food and new boots.
- Pure Love Pure Water for more filters to be sent to missionaries.
- The Clarkston After-School Ministry, which provides a meal for the children and to purchase supplies for the children.