Community Partner Spotlight: Gayton Baptist Church – Faith in Action for Better2gether Families

What happens when a church's mission to serve intersects with the unique needs of families raising children with rare and chronic illnesses? You get a partnership like the one between Better2gether RVA and Gayton Baptist Church—one built on shared compassion, care, and a deep-rooted commitment to supporting the local community.

This summer, Gayton Baptist launched a new initiative to prepare and deliver home-cooked meals to Better2gether families. The project is part of the church’s newly reimagined “Mission Weekend”—a time set aside for members of all ages to serve their neighbors through hands-on projects close to home.

“We used to call it a Family Mission Trip, and we’d travel out of town to serve,” said Stacey Blizzard, a long-time Gayton member and volunteer. “But in recent years, we’ve shifted our focus to local needs—keeping our service rooted in the Richmond community and making it easier for families with young children to participate.”

This year, the church wanted to find a project that was meaningful, manageable, and inclusive of all ages—including the youngest volunteers. As planning for this year’s Mission Weekend began, Rev. Bryon LePere, Gayton’s pastor, asked a simple but powerful question: “If we could do one BIG thing for Better2gether families, what would it be?” Stephanie Becker, Better2gether’s Executive Director, immediately suggested: deliver a meal to every family. It was a perfect fit. After brainstorming ideas with church members, Rev. Bryon LePere, Gayton’s pastor, suggested partnering with Better2gether to provide meals for the families they serve.

Stacey, who had prior experience organizing freezer meal efforts through the church’s Mothers of Preschoolers group, was tapped to help make it happen. The team selected a simple, allergy-friendly recipe that could be prepped efficiently by volunteers in shifts. Better2gether also stepped in to help coordinate deliveries, recognizing that transportation is often a challenge for families caring for children with medically complex illnesses.

“This is our pilot run,” Stacey shared. “We want to see what works and what needs tweaking, but our hope is to continue this quarterly. It’s all about what’s realistic given our volunteers and resources.”

Another huge way the church supports Better2gether families is through their Food Pantry. Each month, Gayton volunteers offer groceries for delivery or pick up to six Better2gether families. For many, having a reliable source of food not only eases the burden of day-to-day life but also creates much-needed room in already tight household budgets. It’s a practical gift that makes a lasting impact.

Meal delivery and grocery support are just a few ways Gayton Baptist Church supports Better2gether families. Each holiday season, the congregation adopts children for gift giving through Better2gether’s annual holiday program. And for many years, church members have helped make the Family Holiday Party special by providing gifts, volunteering, and spreading joy alongside Santa and his helpers.

For Better2gether families, these acts of kindness go far beyond the gift or the meal—they offer relief, recognition, and a reminder that they are not alone.

“We’re so grateful for partners like Gayton Baptist,” said Stephanie Becker, Better2gether Executive Director. “They consistently show up for our families—in big and small ways—and help us meet real needs with real compassion.”

As the meal prep pilot launches and holiday planning ramps up again this fall, the partnership between Gayton Baptist and Better2gether continues to grow—guided by faith, fueled by service, and anchored in community.