By Marilee White

‍

When a person finally climbs into a real bed of their own, something special happens. Their face lights up. They sigh with relief. Volunteers at Bon Air Baptist Church (BABC) get to help children and teenagers experience that moment—again and again. Through a ministry called Build a Bed, members of all ages come together in a hands-on ministry to provide comfort and dignity to young people in need throughout Richmond and North Chesterfield, Virginia.

The ministry began with a simple but powerful idea: no one should have to sleep on the floor.

Back in 2017, Brian Varble—then serving at Calvary Baptist Church in Lexington, KY—was approached by a tearful teacher. Three of her students were sleeping in sleeping bags because their family couldn’t afford beds. Brian’s response was immediate: “Let’s fix this.”

After researching simple, sturdy designs, he led volunteers at that church to build 12 beds. Word spread, and the need kept growing. Between 2017 and 2022, 335 volunteer-built beds found homes in Kentucky.

When Brian accepted the call to serve as BABC’s missions pastor and moved to Richmond in 2022, that congregation embraced the Build a Bed ministry wholeheartedly. Over time, they’ve built dozens of beds for local children and teens who didn’t have one of their own—35 in the first project, and 45 more in the spring of 2025.

This isn’t just a ministry for a few skilled builders; it’s a church-wide effort. Volunteers cut and sand wood, stain and assemble bed frames, and organize delivery teams. Others donate items or pack the extras that make each bed even more special. BABC partners with a mattress company that offers a generous discount, helping stretch resources to serve even more families.

What makes this ministry so personal is the way each bed is delivered—not just as a frame and mattress, but as a complete gift. Every bed recipient also receives a comforter, pillow, sheets, a night light, a Bible, books, a stuffed animal, and a hygiene kit. These thoughtful touches turn a bed into something more: a space of safety, comfort, and joy.

The church works closely with social workers and Family Resource Counselors in local schools to identify those who need a bed. Thanks to these partnerships, BABC can respond quickly and with care, knowing that each delivery is going exactly where it’s needed most.

Seeing the joy and surprise on each person’s face is what fuels this ministry. For many volunteers, it’s a moving reminder that what they’re doing matters. Building a bed is hard work—it takes time, energy, and commitment. But in the end, what’s being built is more than furniture. It’s a foundation of love. It’s a message to each child and teenager that they are seen, cared for, and worthy of something good.

Bon Air Baptist Church continues to build not just beds, but community—one person, one family, and one act of love at a time.