Financial Assistance

Policy and Procedures

If you’re in a difficult season and wondering if we can help, we’re glad you reached out.

At Christiansburg Baptist Church, our goal is love—love for God and love for our neighbors. Part of living that out means being available when people face genuine hardship. This page explains how our benevolence process works so you know what to expect.

Our Guiding Principles

We want to help in ways that truly help—not in ways that create dependency or enable situations that keep people stuck. Two passages shape how we approach this:

1 John 3:17 reminds us that if we have resources and see someone in genuine need, closing our hearts to them calls into question whether God’s love is really at work in us.

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? (1 John 3:17)

. . . and 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 reminds us that help is most meaningful when it supports people who are doing what they can to work through their situation—not as a substitute for personal responsibility.

For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. We hold these in tension: generous compassion and wise stewardship. (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

What We Can Help With

Our benevolence fund is designed for temporary, emergency assistance with basic necessities—specifically:

• Utilities: We may be able to assist with the final portion of a past-due utility bill (up to $40) when disconnection is imminent.
• Rent: We may be able to assist with the final portion of a past-due rent payment (up to $100) when the account has been two weeks late.
• Fuel: We may be able to assist with fueling your vehicle (up to $40).
• Funeral Expenses: We may be able to assist with the final portion of funeral arrangements (up to $100).

Assistance is meant to be a last resort after you’ve explored help from family, friends, savings, or other community resources.

What We Cannot Help With

To be upfront, there are certain needs our fund isn’t designed to address:

• Cable bills
• Credit card debt, gambling debts, or penalties from late payments
• Legal fees
• Childcare costs
• School tuition or business investments
• Hotel or motel stays, except when coordinated through local emergency services or shelter referrals

Thanks for your understanding as we attempt to direct our limited resources where they’ll make the greatest difference.

How the Process Works

1. Complete the request form (link above). Be as honest and thorough as you can.
2. Include documentation—a copy of the bill you need help with, in your name.
3. We’ll review your request confidentially. Only pastoral staff and designated leaders will see your information.
4. If approved, payment goes directly to the vendor—never to the individual.

Assistance is generally one-time only. If you’ve received help before, additional requests will require leadership review and are rarely approved within 12 months.

This is a gift, not a loan. Please don’t try to repay it. If you want to give back later, we’d encourage you to contribute to the church’s general fund so others can be helped.

Other Resources in the New River Valley

We’re a small church with limited funds. For needs beyond what we can provide, these local organizations may be able to help:

• New River Community Action – Emergency assistance programs for rent, utilities, and more
• Agape Center – Food assistance and support services

We’re glad to point you in the right direction, even if we can’t meet the need ourselves.

A Word About Confidentiality

Your situation will be handled with care and discretion. Information is shared only with those directly involved in the decision—typically the pastor and a small group of church leaders. We take your privacy seriously.