Ministry on the Margins at Woodlawn C.O.G.

Woodlawn Church of God was established over a century ago and is still driven by a passion to reap the harvest.

Since assuming the pastorate in July 2014, we have successfully implemented numerous outreach ministries, two of which include six other churches in the local community. Woodlawn Church of God joins with sister churches, Shorts Creek and Hillsville, along with Coulson Church of the Brethren, Woodlawn Pentecostal Holiness, and Pleasant View Church illustrating our faith in tangible ways affecting Kingdom growth. For starters, in 2017 my wife, Henrietta, and I, along with the support of Dawn Poe from Mercy Crossing, launched Back2School, to offer assistance to the families and students of Carroll and Grayson counties. As part of Franklin Graham Samaritan’s Feet Ministry, we are able to bless school children ranging from Pre-K to Senior High.

This year’s students will register in July and the event will be held on August 3rdat Woodlawn COG with volunteers and donations from the joint effort of all the churches. Students will be brought into the sanctuary in small groups to hear a short story about a missionary giving shoes to a young boy in Nigeria. Afterward, each is given a pocket-size New Testament donated by the Gideon’s, then led to the fellowship hall where they are greeted by a smiling face. Volunteers talk with each child individually, washes their feet, puts lotion, new socks, and a pair of new shoes on their feet. Free haircuts are also made available. Following parental permission, volunteers pray over every child. Students are then provided a backpack filled with school supplies and a book of their choice donated by First United Methodist Church of Hillsville. For every pair of shoes given a pair is also given to a child overseas; a local outreach with global results!

In 2017, we served 194 students at a cost of $3,880 and are looking to serve 200+ this school year at a cost of $4,000 plus. Money is raised through donations, offerings at the community church services, and various fund-raising projects held throughout the year. God has proven Himself abundantly faithful thus far and we believe He will continue to do so!

Finally, all of the churches gather on the first Sunday night of every month for a special joint service for spiritual enrichment, fellowship, and to show unified solidarity. A six-night community revival is also held once a year in which pastors share each other’s pulpits. Opportunities are given to testify about how God is working in each congregation, and any updates concerning the Back2School ministry are announced.

We are excited about the past and future success of these efforts in touching our community, crossing denominational lines, and bringing people from all walks of life together. We praise God for His continued blessings on our labors while we do our part to help build the Kingdom in Virginia!

Woodlawn Church of God is located just south of Wytheville of interstate 77 in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

Pastor Rudy Robinson