Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the needs of others? Mostly, the needs far outweigh our ability to help. We can feel overwhelmed and end up not doing anything because we cannot do it all. It’s especially challenging for Christians because we want to do something. After all, James writes, “What God the Father considers to be pure and genuine religion is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their suffering” and “faith without actions is dead.” (James 1:27; 2:26, GNT) As followers of Jesus, we are compelled to compassion and service. We cannot ignore the needs around us. 

Let’s face it, we’re unable to meet every need. Even in our own family, circle of friends, workplace, or Sunday School class. But what if we aren’t supposed to meet every need? What if we are simply to do for one? Can you imagine what might happen if each of us were to do for the ‘one ’? Multiply that across our congregation and multiple congregations. The impact could multiply far beyond what any one of us could accomplish alone.  

Years ago, I heard Pastor Andy Stanley teach on this principle. Andy serves a large congregation in Atlanta. He spoke of times when he would like to do something for every staff member. Maybe it was to write a personal note or get a gift. He could easily become discouraged because of his limitations and do nothing. Instead, he chose to write the ‘one’ note and get the ‘one’ gift. He made a difference with the one. This mindset has helped me not to become discouraged in ministry. I can do for one, which, over time is doing for many. 

What might it look like to ‘do for one’ in our own community? Consider the needs of our unhoused neighbors in the Richmond region. Homeward is the Richmond region’s coordinated system to address homelessness. Homeward provides PIT (Point In Time) data on the region’s unhoused population. In July 2026, there were 613 people counted and 125 of them were over age 60. Between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, 4,702 persons called the Homeless Connection phone line. 

Someone might say, “613 people isn’t that many.” If 613 people stood in a single-file line, it would stretch over a third of a mile. 613 would be about 25 classrooms in a school (with 25 students each). Our sanctuary will hold approximately 750 people, so think about it . . . over 80% of our sanctuary capacity is homeless on a given day.  

You get the point. So, what to do? Do something and do for one. That’s what members of our Women’s Missionary Union (WMU), Missions Group, and ministry staff did last week. Each Thursday, the Oregon Hill Baptist Center (OHBC), led by Rev. Jennifer Turner, serves a hot breakfast to the unhoused community. Our church provides the meal and serves each October. Other churches in the River City Faith Network help throughout the year. Last week, our volunteers provided a hot breakfast, snack bags, and a warm HRBC smile to 86 of our unhoused neighbors. We also help in other ways during the year, so please keep a lookout for how you can get involved.   

As you pray about how you can help and for the needs of those who are unhoused and facing housing insecurity, please be familiar with the Richmond Street Sheet. It is an aggregated resource to provide for those in need. Our church keeps copies of the RVA Street Sheet in our office. We share it when we receive calls or visits from those seeking help or assistance. 

Finally, thank you for your generosity. Because of your gifts to our Fifth Sunday Benevolence offerings, annual missions offerings, and First Sunday food offerings, to name just a few, we are able to make a difference. We may not be able to help everyone, but we have done for the one, and that one, and another one . . .   

For Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40, NIV) 

With gratitude,