From cutting firewood to handing out quarters at a local laundromat, and from visiting the sick to giving away free gas cards, the James River Baptist Association’s (JRBA) annual Operation InAsMuch is in full swing.

The event, which began Saturday and will continue through this weekend, seeks to serve others through over 35 small mission projects. All 18 JRBA-member churches from Buckingham, Cumberland, Fluvanna and Nelson counties are participating in the project, which is based on Matthew 25:40, which reads, “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Despite the rain on Saturday, member churches — a majority of which are in Buckingham — worked across the area in homes performing renovation projects and outside pushing shopping carts through the rain.

First Baptist Church Pastor Emeritus Jimmy Dunn, who serves as the moderator for JRBA, said the event is a way to serve the community.

The 18 churches are striving to do as much for people as they can in the name of Jesus, he said. “And show them the love of Jesus … Just serve others in Jesus’ name.”

“We want to let them know that we love them and Jesus loves them and let it move from there,” Dunn added.

Planned or completed projects include free car washes, home repairs, food giveaways, clothes distributions, delivering flowers to shut-ins, building ramps, providing gas money for a needy family, yard work, volunteering at an assisted living facility and helping shoppers unload groceries into their vehicles.

“I think it’s really great. It really helps out a lot,” said Buckingham resident Nicole Bender who received several quarters to wash her clothes at a laundromat in Dillwyn from First Baptist members.

“It’s sweet and definitely nice,” Bender’s daughter added who also was washing clothes with quarters given to her.

“It’s like the scripture says, you need to be helping people that don’t have as much as you or less than us,” said Barbara Grigg, a member of First Baptist who was giving our quarters at the laundromat.

Down the road at the Dillwyn Pharmacy, members of Cedar Baptist Church were giving out free gift cards.

“Knowing the simple things mean a great deal to people … It can have a big impact on them,” church member Lee Davis said. He said that one man, after taking a gift card, hugged him tightly and teared up after Davis told him of Jesus’ love for others.

“This is the second year that the JRBA has been involved with OperationInAsMuch,” said event organizer Valeria Breault. “The theme for the association is ‘accomplishing together what we cannot do alone.’”

She said that it has been a blessing to be able to help and minister to those in the community who are in need. “We have seen a real sense of appreciation as we carry out the projects — whether they are large or small,” Breault said.

Participating churches include Arvon Baptist, Antioch Union, Antioch Scottsville, Buckingham Baptist, Cedar, Chestnut Grove, Dillwyn First Baptist, Enon, Fitzgerald, Fork of Willis, Goshen, Gladstone Memorial, Jones Chapel, Mulberry Grove, Mt. Tabor, Mt. Zion, Sharon and Tar Wallet. Spreading God’s Gifts also participated this year.