VOL 1, ISSUE 1
SPRING 2016
A New
Structure for 2016 A new approach to how we relate to and connect with our churches throughout Virginia... and beyond!
More Than Nets— and More! Spreading the love of Jesus in Ghana 12
Mission Matters Combined training event for “all things mission” 15
Introducing... EMPOWER New coaching initiative launched 23
Come & See One of my favorite biblical stories is in John 1. Jesus tells Nathanael that if he believed based on what little he had seen that he hadn’t seen anything yet. Jesus is constantly JOHN UPTON telling us that there are greater things awaiting. He told is the Executive Nathanael and he is telling us: we aren’t finished, nor have Director of the BGAV. we figured it all out yet. Nothing we have experienced or heard is adequate to capture the truth that awaits us. We have no idea how big the truth is. Jesus invites us to open our hearts, our churches, and our lives because there is more. Come and see, follow, think, listen, love, pray, lean on each other as you go, and you will see greater things. What would you give to live like that, to have that disposition of mind and heart? What difference would it make in your church if you had that disposition? Does anyone truly think it is too late to open our hearts to the greater things? We can still discover a much larger and deeper awareness of the Holy. We can be awakened to a new sense of the possibilities of God. I believe we are going to find more of Christ, and a greater Christ, in the world than we could have imagined. Among the greater things we will see are those we will see in one another. We will see greater things in ourselves, including our neighbors, including even those we have let to love because we haven’t yet truly seen them. We haven’t seen them clearly by the grace of the One who keeps saying, “Come and see.” But Christ has seen them, and he has seen us. He comes to open our hearts, our minds, the soul itself. I think I see him smile every time he says to us, “Come and see.” This magazine is an invitation to “come and see” the many new things God is doing in our midst, in particular, in the life of our family, the BGAV. May we see each other, and the mission we share together, in greater ways.
BGAV Advancing the Kingdom Together
A publication of Baptist General Association of Virginia Volume 1, Number 1 Spring 2016
BGAV Express is published quarterly by the Baptist General Association of Virginia, 2828 Emerywood Parkway, Henrico, VA 23294.
Send address changes to: BGAV Express Baptist General Association of Virginia 2828 Emerywood Parkway Henrico, VA 23294 toll-free 800.255.2428
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: John V. Upton, Jr. CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER & BGAV EXPRESS EDITOR: Nathan White
John Upton
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Meghan Wilson ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Linda Peay ASSISTANT EDITOR: Jennifer Law
A New
Structure for 2016
// pg 4
8 // BGAV News & Notes 10 // FAQs about Tax Filing Season & Health Insurance for Church Staff
20 // The Unseen Hand, a Bluegrass Band, and What is a Fresh Expression of Church? 22 // Meet Kewen Dong, Church Planter
11 // Venturer Settles into Role in Ghana
23 // Introducing Empower
12 // More Than Nets - And More!
23 // For Ministers: What I’m Reading
14 // “We’re in for the Long Haul”
24 // Virginia Baptist Identity
15 // Mission Matters
26 // T.G.I.F.
16 // Meet the 2016 Uptick Classes
27 // Latest Ministry Jobs
18 // Kairos Leadership Initiative Program Receives Grant
All Aboard the BGAV Express! Welcome to the first issue of BGAV Express. We are thrilled to offer this magazine for your knowledge and enjoyment. But first, why a magazine? The Internet has been around for 20 years, so why now? Across BGAV churches and beyond, five generations sit in the pews. Yes, the BGAV has greatly expanded our digital platforms over the last few years, but for a variety of reasons, print is still relevant to a significant portion of our audience. A number of folks prefer the feel of a real piece of paper in their hands. Others, quite frankly, either do not own a computer or even have access to broadband Internet. Thus, for 2016, we’re experimenting with this magazine as we balance our digital and print audiences. Many of the news items and stories contained in this piece are also housed on our website. You will note special highlights that direct you to the website for more information. Why the name BGAV Express? As the BGAV, we are headed on a journey with a common vision: advancing the Kingdom together. Much like an express train, we’re headed toward that common vision in a focused and determined manner. Additionally, this is the “express” version of what is happening across the BGAV. Our website, bgav.org, contains the most information. Ultimately, our digital platforms are the future; this magazine is not. Our prayer is that you will read this issue and then set it out somewhere for others to read. We’re also interested in your thoughts on the magazine. You may give me a call at 800.255.2428 or send me an email at nathan.white@bgav.org. Your feedback is vital as we prepare and plan future issues. Grace and peace,
Nathan White
NATHAN WHITE is the Chief Marketing Officer of the BGAV and editor of BGAV Express.
A New
Structure for 2016 A new approach to how we relate to and connect with our churches throughout Virginia... and beyond! their unique skills and engaging young adults as well. Creative ministries are being formed with students and churches working together in new ways.
2015 brought major changes within the field strategist ministry of the BGAV. Two significant retirements occurred, and one field strategist returned to the pastorate. This generated an opportunity and a need to rethink the strategy.
“The campus ministers are excited to serve in this way,” Welford Orrock, Kairos Initiative/young adult coordinator, said. “I’m so proud of their willingness to play an even greater role in connecting with BGAV churches.
Field strategists had indicated that in a typical week of working 60 hours, nearly 20 of those would be spent traveling from location to location. They were frustrated with the loss of huge chunks of time which could have been better spent with churches and church leaders, and they were often disappointed that they were not able to attend important occasions in church life throughout their regions because of schedule conflicts.
There will also be a number of content field strategists available for churches. Congregational Field Staff Coordinator Susan McBride said, “We are able to provide help to churches with such things as Sunday School, deacon training, ministry placement, young adult ministries, worship ministries, and so much more.”
All these challenges pointed to an obvious shift in how the ministry should be done in the future. It was evident that a team approach, rather than individual, would better serve the needs of an area.
There are other new ministries that have emerged out of the restructure as well. Ken Kessler has launched a Virginia Baptist coaching network called Empower (read more about Empower on page 23). “Throughout the restructure process, the importance of coaching for both staff and BGAV churches was evident,“ Upton explained.
At its September meeting, John Upton, Executive Director of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, presented the restructure plan to the Executive Board for their input and approval. It was unanimously approved by the Executive Board.
Other changes include Caitlin Figura’s joining the mission development staff as community missions coordinator, where Dean Miller serves as staff coordinator. Fresh Expressions and V3 Church Planting works with the new growth and venture team, led by Wayne Faison. A new venture, Mosaic, now coordinates multi-cultural ministries.
Shortly thereafter, the Congregational Field Staff was created. It builds upon and expands the individual model. The new structure places a team of staff in an area to better respond to the demand and requests of churches. The deployed staff is a combination of full-time and part-time staff. We are already seeing benefits from the new model. On any given Sunday in a region, multiple churches have field strategists available—not just one church.
“I firmly believe we are well positioned and poised to follow God’s leading as we advance the Kingdom together,” Upton said.
In addition, the collegiate/young adult ministers are bringing their relational gifts to the larger team by offering themselves as resources to area churches. They do this while continuing to serve full-time as campus ministers. They are contributing
Learn more: bgav.org/fieldstaff
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BGAV Regional Contacts Northern/Tidewater
Valley/Central Jeff Cranford Field Strategist, Retirement/Financial Strategist jeff.cranford@bgav.org 804.921.3945
Jim Ailor Field Strategist 804.921.5177 jim.ailor@bgav.org
Skip Wallace Field Strategist (starting April 11, 2016) 804.915.5000
Brian Williams Field Strategist (starting April 1, 2016) 804.915.5000 Eddie Heath Field Strategist 804.921.3658 eddie.heath@bgav.org
Capital/Southside Tony Brooks Field Strategist, Sunday School Strategist 804.921.5033 tony.brooks@bgav.org
Susan McBride Field Strategist, Congregational Field Staff Coordinator 804.921.3472 susan.mcbride@bgav.org
Tom Ingram Field Strategist, Worship/Music Strategist 800.255.2428, ext. 6220 (office) 804.921.4112 (cell) tom.ingram@bgav.org
Congregational Field Staff Susan McBride Congregational Field Staff Coordinator 800.255.2428, ext. 2242 (office) 804.921.3472 (cell) susan.mcbride@bgav.org
Charity Roberson Field Strategist, Ministry Placement Coach 804.921.2444 charity.roberson@bgav.org
Karen Rackett Congregational Field Staff Administrative Assistant 800.255.2428, ext. 2243 karen.rackett@bgav.org
Southwest Steve Collins Field Strategist 276.479.3222 (office) 276.393.2741 (cell) steve.collins@bgav.org
Angela House GuideStone/Congregational Field Staff Administrative Assistant 800.255.2428, ext. 5293 angela.house@bgav.org
Darrell Fletcher Field Strategist 804.921.5838 darrell.fletcher@bgav.org Bob Moore Field Strategist 540.977.5701 (office) 540.556.2432 (cell) bob.moore@bgav.org
NORTHSTAR CHURCH NETWORK
SHENANDOAH
FREDERICKSBURG AREA NETWORK
SHILOH AUGUSTA
CENTRAL VIRGINIA
NATURAL BRIDGE
GOSHEN
RAPPAHANNOCK
PIEDMONT
DOVER MID-TIDEWATER
JAMES RIVER ROANOKE VALLEY NEW LEBANON EAST RIVER
APPOMATTOX
STAUNTON RIVER
HIGHLANDS FRANKLIN COUNTY MISSIONARY
WISE
MIDDLE DISTRICT
LYNCHBURG STRAWBERRY
HERMON
THE RIVER CITY FAITH NETWORK
PENINSULA THE BRIDGE NETWORK OF CHURCHES
SOUTHSIDE PETERSBURG BLACKWATER
LEBANON POWELL RIVER
CLINCH VALLEY
BLUE RIDGE NEW RIVER
HENRY COUNTY
IA DAN RIVER LVAN
Y PITTS
CONCORD PORTSMOUTH
Who Do I Call for...? The BGAV staff is here to help you. Email us anytime or call us at 800.255.2428 or 804.915.5000, Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm.
Ministries Children’s Ministry Karen Rackett—karen.rackett@bgav.org, ext. 2243 Church Planting Wayne Faison—wayne.faison@bgav.org, ext. 6232 Coaching Ken Kessler—ken.kessler@bgav.org, ext. 5295 Deacon Training Contact regional Field Strategists (see page 5) Evangelism Wayne Faison—wayne.faison@bgav.org, ext. 6232 Kairos: Collegiate/ Young Adult Ministries Music
Welford Orrock—welford.orrock@bgav.org, ext. 2246
Tom Ingram—tom.ingram@bgav.org, ext. 6220
Sunday School/Discipleship
Tony Brooks—tony.brooks@bgav.org, 804.921.5033
Youth Ministry Karen Rackett—karen.rackett@bgav.org, ext. 2243
Missions Community Missions
Caitlin Figura—caitlin.figura@bgav.org, ext. 7274
Disaster Relief Aaron Lee—aaron.lee@bgav.org, ext. 7265 Impact Mission Camps
Glenn Maddox—glenn.maddox@bgav.org, ext. 7269
International Partnership Missions
Craig Waddell—craig.waddell@bgav.org, ext. 7263
Long Term Volunteers (Venturers)
Glenn Maddox—glenn.maddox@bgav.org, ext. 7269
More than Nets
Dean Miller—dean.miller@bgav.org, ext. 7264
Southwest VA Partnership
Craig Waddell—craig.waddell@bgav.org, ext. 7263
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For the full call list, visit bgav.org/contact
Support Ministries ACP Melody Fowler—melody.fowler@bgav.org, ext. 1207 BGAV Annual Meeting
Nathan White—nathan.white@bgav.org, ext. 1206
• Registration Kirk Walker—kirk.walker@bgav.org, ext. 1209 • Schedule Linda Peay—linda.peay@bgav.org, ext. 1204 • Lodging Linda Peay—linda.peay@bgav.org, ext. 1204 BGAV Calendar Becky Joubert—becky.joubert@bgav.org, ext. 1205 BGAV Governance (Executive Office) John Upton/Marilee White—marilee.white@bgav.org, ext. 1201 BGAV Staff in my region
BGAV Receptionist—800.255.2428
Church Strategic Planning
Glenn Akins—glenn.akins@bgav.org, ext. 1203
Contact information for pastors and churches and associations
BGAV Receptionist—800.255.2428
Event Registration Linda Peay—linda.peay@bgav.org, ext. 1204 Eagle Eyrie events
Rod Miller—rod.miller@bgav.org, 434.384.2211
Financial Elliott Williams—elliott.williams@bgav.org, ext. 1297 Hotels near the Virginia Baptist Resource Center
Marilee White—marilee.white@bgav.org, ext. 1201
Legal Matters David Washburn—david.washburn@bgav.org , ext. 1102 Literature Nathan White—nathan.white@bgav.org, ext. 1206 Pastor/Church Staff Search
Charity Roberson—charity.roberson@bgav.org, 804.921.2444
Transitional Interim Ministry
Ken Kessler—ken.kessler@bgav.org, ext. 5295
Retirement Jeff Cranford—jeff.cranford@bgav.org, 804.921.3945 Pulpit Supply Marilee White—marilee.white@bgav.org, ext. 1201
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BGAV Reports December and Year-end 2015 Results
The Cooperative Missions (CM) receipts for December totaled $1,737,133, a nearly 8% increase from December 2014, bringing total 2015 receipts to $11,085,572. David Washburn, treasurer, noted that the receipts allowed Virginia Baptists to reach 96.4% of the 2015 budget. “I am deeply grateful for the commitment of our BGAV churches to our shared mission,” said Washburn. “I am encouraged by the strong finish in 2015 and the way we are positioned to begin 2016. I am looking forward to what we will accomplish together.” The 2016 budget is $10.5 million. View the budget at bgav.org/budget. View the latest Treasurer reports at bgav.org/treasurer-report.
BGAV Executive Board Meets for First Time in 2016
The Executive Board of the BGAV met in January for the first time this year. Carl Johnson, chair, opened the meeting and recognized new members. He invited John Upton, executive director, to give an overview of the board’s responsibilities. “You are a governance body,” Upton reminded board members. Johnson announced that Will Baker resigned from the board after moving out of state. The Board Development Committee reported that they would come to the next meeting with a recommendation for a person to fill the vacancy. Nancy Stanton McDaniel, president, reported that she had met her constitutional requirement to name chairs of standing committees by December 15. David Washburn, treasurer, noted that December receipts were higher than December 2014. Reflecting on the $10.5 million budget for 2016, Washburn shared his hope that we’ll meet and possibly exceed our budget this year. John Upton presented his report, focusing on the vision and values of the BGAV as the organization moves forward. “We always have to look to the future with a hopeful eye,” he said. Upton also reported on the new staff restructure and that, especially with the new congregational field staff, is “working well.” In other business, Kevin Meadows made a motion to ask past presidents to gather together for the purpose of discussing the future of resolutions in BGAV life. Ann Brown made a motion to disband the Salary Scale Committee as it is redundant with the Personnel Committee of the Executive Board. Both motions were seconded and unanimously passed.
Executive Director John Upton addresses the Executive Board during January’s meeting (top); Ben Jamison, vice chair, makes a point during the meeting (bottom). 8
NEWS + NOTES
Complete list of events at bgav.org/events
Event Calendar Virginia Baptist Homes Is Now LifeSpire of Virginia
Established in 1945, Virginia Baptist Homes currently operates four distinct retirement communities across the state of Virginia. “We recently took stock of the fact that while our organization had continued to grow and evolve throughout the 70-plus years of our tenure, our name had remained virtually unchanged,” said President and CEO Jonathan Cook. “We decided that was worth investigating.” Following months of research that included in-depth market analysis, surveys, and focus groups with both current and future residents, and detailed input from board and executive team members, the company chose the name LifeSpire of Virginia. “We chose LifeSpire because it both honors our past and, at the same time, more accurately reflects who are we today and where we are headed in the future,” Cook said, stressing that the name change does not involve a change in ownership, staffing, or corporate structure. Only the name has changed.
April 7-9
“AND” Fresh Expressions National Gathering, Alexandria 11-12 Empower Class 503: Coaching for Change, Transition, and Transformation, Richmond 28 Executive Board meeting, Richmond 29 Mission Council meeting, Richmond 28-29 Mission Matters, Richmond
May 9-10 Senior Adult “Sing and Share” Festival of Praise, Richmond 10-11 Empower Class 510: Coach Approach to Leading and Managing, Richmond 16-17 Empower Class 501: Building Blocks for Powerful Coaching, Abingdon 16-17 Forum (formerly Youth Ministry Forum), Richmond 17 Preparing for Retirement Seminar, Newport News 19 Preparing for Retirement Seminar, Annandale 23 Preparing for Retirement Seminar, Richmond 26 Preparing for Retirement Seminar, Roanoke
Time For BGAV Nominations
The BGAV partners with many different institutions and agencies to advance the Redeemer’s Kingdom. We are dependent on church members to nominate people who embrace and live out our historic Baptist identity to serve on the boards of our partners and on the Standing Committees of the BGAV. Most people know someone who would be a fantastic addition to one of these groups, but many times they do not get around to submitting a nomination. The process of nominating a person to serve does not require lots of time, as it can be done online or through the mail. Please spend some time in prayer and nominate at least one person to serve on a board or committee. The deadline is May 1. Make a nomination now at bgav.org/nominations.
Roots and Wings Young Scholars Essay Contest for 2016
“To See a World” is the theme of the annual Roots and Wings Young Scholars Essay Contest sponsored by the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies. Open to high school juniors and seniors who attend a Baptist church in Virginia, the contest seeks to encourage young people to think and write creatively on an assigned topic. The 2016 topic relates to the overall theme of the Heritage Center for the year: “To See a World.” Essayists should reflect upon the benefits of learning more about people groups at home and abroad, other nationalities, cultures, and faith groups. A donor has provided cash awards and, in addition, the essays may be published, and the winners recognized at a public meeting in the spring. The qualifications, rules, requirements and deadlines are posted on the Heritage Center’s website, www.baptistheritage.org. For more BGAV news, visit The deadline for submission is April 15. bgav.org/news 9
FAQs About Tax Filing Season & Health Insurance for Church Staff Jeff Cranford, our Compensation Planning Specialist and GuideStone State Representative, has prepared answers to common questions he receives from BGAV churches about health insurance and taxes. Do you have more questions beyond these? The BGAV Tax and Compensation Seminars will cover these and other tax issues in greater detail. All church staff and especially all lay leaders who are involved in the area of church staff compensation and taxes are encouraged to attend. How should the church report payments or reimbursements of non-employer sponsored individual health insurance for church staff? As of July 1, 2015 church employers must stop paying for or reimbursing individual health insurance unless they have just one full-time employee. After that date, Affordable Care Act (ACA) penalties will be incurred if health care reimbursement arrangements are continued. What health insurance coverage provided by the church can be paid by the church as a nontaxed benefit? Only employer-sponsored group coverage can be paid by the church as employer as a nontaxed benefit. Qualifying group coverage can be obtained in several ways. The church can use the Small Healthcare Options Program of the federal Marketplace to provide insurance for eligible employees. Payments by the church through the SHOP are nontaxed for employer defined coverage. The church can go to a health insurance company directly to get group coverage. Finally, the church can use a church group health insurance plan like that of GuideStone Financial Resources to provide health insurance as a nontaxed benefit. How does healthcare reform affect the individual’s 2015 tax return filing? The ACA includes the individual shared responsibility provision and coverage exemptions from that provision. The individual shared responsibility provision requires every U.S. taxpayer and their dependent(s) to: • Have qualifying health care coverage, also called minimum essential coverage, or • Qualify for an exemption from the responsibility to have minimum essential coverage, or • Make an individual shared responsibility payment when filing their federal income tax return. Taxpayers will report minimum essential coverage, report exemptions, or make any individual shared responsibility payment when filing their federal income tax return. Visit bgav.org/tax-tips for more information and details.
Venturer Settles into Role
in GHANA by Sabrina Haynes
Sabrina Haynes is a Venturer from Westhunt Church, Richmond, who currently serves in Ghana in support of More Than Nets. She’ll serve there until April 2016, helping Emmanuel “Muss” Mustapha in the Yendi region. She wrote the following article describing her experiences so far. I arrived in Ghana with a Virginia Baptist mission team already scheduled, and I loved getting to know everyone on the team. God used them in amazing ways during the week, and I was blessed to be part of some of their work. All my bags made it to Accra, the capital city, but then two of them got stuck for several days, including all my clothes and shoes. I had one Haynes met the 600 students and teachers at the school led by Emmanuel Mustapha in Ghana. change of clothes, which was all I really needed, but the shoes I had with me were not good for the dry, dusty climate of Yendi! God does make sure we have all we need, though, and my bags arrived a few days later. It is over 95 degrees every day here with only about 20-percent humidity, so I am drinking a lot of water! While I was working with the mission team in Yendi, we got to witness God doing amazing things for his people. We distributed mosquito nets to prevent malaria, planted new churches, and assisted with baptisms of new believers. About 500 people said, “Yes, I will follow Jesus,” 11 new churches were planted, 3,000 mosquito nets were distributed, and over 300 people were baptized in the river. Wow—God is good all the time!
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There’s still time to register for Impact Mission Camps! Visit bgav.org/Impact
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A child in Yendi, Ghana enjoys clean water from a borehole well.
- and More! by Linda Peay The basic needs of life are water, shelter and clothing. Once these necessities are met, people are able to look beyond themselves in order to assist others. Dr. Wayne Guynn, pastor of Olive Branch Baptist Church outside South Hill, worked with the church’s missions coordinator to seek out mission opportunities for the church, leading them to BGAV’s More than Nets. More than Nets is a project agreement with the Ghana Baptist Convention to share the gospel by reducing the spread of malaria and planting churches.
Dr. Wayne Guynn and Emmanuel “Muss” Mustapha
“When we were seeking where we could go, we noted that More Than Nets included planting churches,” Dr. Guynn said. “God led us to this opportunity…no other organizations offered this as part of the experience.”
and laundry. “It was shocking to see people walking seven miles both ways for water,” she recalled. “They found it hard to hold church services because there was a constant, daily need for water – they needed the time to go get the water.”
In March 2014, Dr. Guynn and six church members traveled to the Yendi region of Ghana in support of More than Nets. While there, they worked with Pastor Emmanuel “Muss” Mustapha from the Ghana Baptist Convention. Their trip included interaction with the local people by distributing mosquito nets, planting churches, and assisting with baptisms.
She and her husband, Dan, returned home to Virginia, and while the More Than Nets project carried great meaning and continues to make a difference, they could not shake the need for water. Hammond shared that while they prayed for Yendi and for access to water, the couple felt led to act. Not only would they plan to return, but the Hammonds aimed to raise enough money to provide wells for the Yendi community.
Muss shared his vision to share the gospel with the people, distribute nets to prevent malaria, and to provide access to more water wells, called “boreholes.” From his experience, Muss explained that the people will be more ready to listen to the Good News if their personal needs are met.
The goal was no small feat; each borehole (a type of well) costs $2,500. The Hammonds sought to raise enough money for six boreholes to send to Muss in Yendi. “It was going to take more than a spaghetti supper to garner those funds,” said Dr. Guynn. “But Constance had a different approach she had seen in other places.”
While some areas of Yendi are equipped with ample water wells nearby, other villagers have to walk for miles to get clean water, taking a whole day to complete the journey. The fact that water wasn’t simply available to all of the people weighed heavily on the heart of Constance Hammond, one of the church’s mission volunteers.
In addition to sponsoring a dinner, Hammond wanted to plan a unique event that included church members and was open to the local community. Thus, “The Missions Banquet: Water for Yendi” was born, to take place in the fall.
While in Yendi, Hammond observed that the people had plenty of food to eat, yet they lacked water resources for food, bathing 12
Through January 2016: • • • • •
63,000 nets distributed 250 villages completely netted 43% reduction in malaria cases 235 new churches planted 4,000 people baptized
Local boys carry mosquito nets back to their villages.
helped finance and to continue the work of distributing nets and planting churches through More Than Nets.
She got the ball rolling by talking to Rev. Kevin Rosenfeld, pastor of First Baptist Church of South Hill, where her children attend school. In those conversations, Hammond discovered that Rev. Rosenfeld is also a trained chef. Olive Branch landed affordable advertising through church connections, including free graphic design and interviews and ads on local radio stations.
“Our office was thrilled to be able to make this connection for Olive Branch and walk alongside them offering assistance where we could.” Dean Miller, team coordinator for the BGAV Mission Development staff, said. “It is always great to see people come away from an experience with their eyes opened up to needs and to be able to respond through the lenses of their own gifts and skills.”
Rev. Rosenfeld offered the food for the four-course meal at cost. Girls from a community youth organization volunteered as servers for the 180 guests at the black-tie event. While he was visiting Virginia, Pastor Muss attended and spoke firsthand about the needs of his homeland.
For more information, visit bgav.org/MoreThanNets
Items such as timeshare vacation weeks, framed arts, and even a rifle were put up for auction and raffle. Sunday School classes sponsored themed baskets for the cause. Other guests chose to donate directly to the effort, including one who gave enough for an entire well.
Monday, April 25
is World Malaria Day!
Even though the total receipts fell short of the original goal, Olive Branch Baptist Church was able to raise over $11,000 to purchase four wells for Yendi. The mission group is looking forward to going back to Yendi in March to view the wells they
In recognition of this day, help us reach our goal of donating our last 30,000 nets.
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Virginia Baptist Disaster Response transitions tornado recovery efforts
“We’re in for the long haul”
by Nathan White
“I appreciate the association and what Virginia Baptists are doing to help,” said Nelson Mann, deacon chairman of Central Baptist Church in the small community of Chap in Appomattox County. With much of the cleanup already done, he shared the church’s plan for recovery. “We’re going to bring in a triple-wide for services,” he said. “We’ve received dozens of offers for worship space from the community, but we belong here on this property.” According to Mann, an even greater tragedy was avoided. The church was a designated shelter should school buses need to divert in case of severe weather. “Thank God that the schools held the kids, else things could have been much worse.”
Nelson Mann speaks with Aaron Lee, Virginia Baptist disaster response coordinator, and Scott Curtis, pastor of Providence Baptist Church, in what remains of his church’s fellowship hall.
Besides sustaining severe damage to the sanctuary and fellowship hall, many gravestones in the cemetery were knocked over. A local funeral home plans to come and fix them.
“It’s just tragic to see all of this, but a joy to come help out,” Collins said. The team arrived Saturday morning and had been working from sunrise to sunset each day.
“In a disaster, you really find out who the good people are,” Mann said. He relayed a story how a man in Roanoke was watching the news and felt led to donate a sizable amount of money and food for the church.
Providence Baptist Church and Grace Hills Baptist Church hosted the team and helped transport them around. “I wish we could get more people involved in Disaster Response. We can use all people.”
The man saw the report about how the local high school football team pitched in to help clean up around the church and was inspired to action. “I was surprised by that…everybody has done good. We’re glad for all the help we can get.”
Collins noted that if folks cannot do construction, there are still needs that can be met, including talking and building up relationships with homeowners.
Aaron Lee, Virginia Baptist Disaster Response Coordinator, agreed, relaying story after story about how Disaster Response teams weren’t needed in a number of places both in Tappahannock and Appomattox because community members had taken care of their own.
In addition to serving in Appomattox, Virginia Baptists have taken the lead in recovery efforts in Tappahannock. As the shortterm recovery efforts wind down, long-term efforts are getting underway.
Disaster Response volunteers put the final touches on putting tarp on a house.
Officials from local, state, and federal agencies will host a meeting tomorrow to discuss next step as these communities continue to recover.
Steve Collins, pastor of First Baptist Church, Nickelsville, and his crew of several men were hard at work, helping put tarp on the roof of a house that was adjacent to the path of the tornado.
“We’re in for the long haul,” Lee said. 14
People Matter to God, So They Matter To Us by Caitlin Figura
People matter to God, so they matter to us. In order for the church to connect and serve people both down the street and around the world, “Mission Matters.”
by a common purpose and calling. Imagine the richness of connecting volunteers who have served in Ghana with those who run their church’s weekly food pantry. Consider the challenge of discussing the call to “welcome the stranger” with members of the Latino Network alongside a keynote speaker from Lebanon who has worked closely with Syrian refugees.
Mission Matters gathering is a two-day, bilingual event that will encourage a mission lifestyle, immersing attendees in powerful conversations about mission opportunities in the local and global community.
The Latino Network’s expansion of its annual Encuentro will further deepen the event’s exploration of how and why “Mission Matters.” Through this partnership, the gathering will provide a unique opportunity for Virginia Baptists to integrate mission initiatives that are local and global, Anglo and Latino, and short-term and ongoing.
“We want to celebrate mission,” says Mission Development Staff Coordinator Dean Miller. “We have a history of hosting training sessions around the state for partnership mission teams, Disaster Response, and mission camps, but this is an opportunity to highlight all of those conversations in one event.”
The event will feature a mix of worship, inspiration, and practical training in both Spanish and English. Attendees will have an opportunity to celebrate mission more broadly, as well as learn about specific ways they can expand their individual mission engagement.
Virginia Baptist churches and volunteers are on mission through a wide variety of places and approaches, connected
Volunteers preparing for partnership mission trips or mission camps this summer will attend important orientation sessions. Disaster Response volunteers will receive an introduction and discipline-specific training to prepare for the next response or renew their credentials. Attendees involved in community missions will explore ways to move from relief to development, or reevaluate existing approaches to addressing hunger in their communities. Partnership mission teams can learn about a new global discipleship curriculum that provides helpful resources for developing intentional reflection around calling, worldview, and a theology of mission. Attendees will select a breakout track to focus their learning, but will have exposure throughout the weekend to diverse experiences and perspectives on mission. As the attendees learn, they will also engage in worship and discernment, supported by musical and artistic expression from Uptick Artists and words from the keynote speaker, Dr. Nabil Costa, Executive Director of the Lebanese Society for Educational & Social Development. Register today, select a breakout track, and explore how “Mission Matters” alongside fellow Virginia Baptists on mission.
April 29-30, 2016 Hatcher Memorial Church Richmond, VA
For more information, visit bgav.org/MissionMatters 15
Meet the 2016 Uptick Classes! The term “uptick” means an “asset that appreciates with investment.” In 2008, the Spence Network developed Uptick as a targeted leadership investment for innovative young leaders to engage in an intensive process of mentoring and development over the course of a year. During the year, participants are given access to premium interactions with world-class, pioneering Kingdom leaders to enlarge models of discipleship and leadership, both conceptually and in scale. Uptick also provides intense personal and group interaction, including ongoing access to the lives of the Spence Network leaders, access to a personal leadership coach, and participation in a “discipleship huddle” designed to deepen spiritual leadership, heighten accountability, and construct a discipleship path into the future. At the conclusion, Upticks are embedded into a richer network with each other and Kingdom leaders to whom they are introduced. They have sharpened skills and a trajectory to make a transformative difference in Virginia and beyond. In 2016, three Uptick cohorts are led by Dr.. John Chandler, Rev. Laura McDaniel (Uptick Vintage) and Uptick Alumnae Rev. Katie McKown (Uptick Voice), Matt O’Rear and Rachel Scott (Uptick Artists – Worship Leaders.)
Uptick Vintage
led by Dr. John Chandler and Rev. Laura McDaniel • Stephen Allen—Pastor, South Run Baptist Church, Springfield • Elena Aronson—Director of Training, Arrabon, Richmond • Reed Bernick—Associate Pastor, First Baptist Church, Alexandria • Landon Collins—Associate Pastor, Chestnut Grove Baptist Church, Earlysville • Skyler Daniel—Chaplain, Averett University; Associate Minister, West Main Baptist Church, Danville • Kristen Duncan—Minister of Students, St. John’s Baptist Church, Virginia Beach • Chelsea Geyer—Executive Director, DC127, Washington, DC “I have been • Sara Hubble—Student Minister, Bon Air Baptist Church - The Village Campus, Richmond overwhelmed by • Kristen Koger—Pastoral Resident, Tabernacle Baptist Church, Richmond the generosity • Kourtney Kraus—Director of Brilliant Beginnings Learning Center, Volunteer at Coastal Community Church, Virginia Beach of the Uptick • Wyatt Miles—Pastor, Montevista Baptist Church, Altavista • David Wade—Associate Pastor, East End Baptist Church, Suffolk experience.” “So far, I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the Uptick experience. From the beginning, I felt welcomed and affirmed as the person God has called me to be. The generosity of the Spence Network leaders is shown through their investment and true caring of each participant. The generosity of the participants is shown through their willingness to be vulnerable and open with one another from our very first meeting. I am looking forward to this upcoming year, as we find opportunities to be generous with one another through our relationships, conversations, and shared experiences.” -Kristen Koger 16
Uptick Voice
led by Rev. Katie McKown and Dr. John Chandler, Uptick Strengthens presentation and persuasion skills of women who lead public platforms. • Lily Dobson—NorthStar Church Network, Annandale • Brooke Holloway—Associate Pastor, Memorial Baptist Church, Arlington • Beverly Lwenya—Communications, District Church, Washington, DC • Krystal Speed—Youth and Children, Downtown Baptist Church, Alexandria • Kristen White—Recent Associate Pastor, First Baptist Church, Gretna; relocated to Richmond • Sarah Wilson—Youth, University Baptist Church, Charlottesville
Last year’s class of Uptick Voice
“We’re thrilled to begin the 2016 Uptick Voice cohort! What a gift to invest in the lives of women who lead our churches and nonprofits. We look forward to being shaped by gifted mentors and speakers throughout the year. Thank you BGAV and other generous benefactors!” -Rev. Katie McKown
Uptick Artists
“What a gift to invest in the lives of women who lead our churches and nonprofits.”
led by Matt O’Rear and Rachel Scott, Uptick Artists Worship Leaders Helps artists strategically develop and share creative talents with the communities they lead and equips leaders who strengthen personal and corporate worship practices to revitalize congregations. • Amy Cox—Worship Leader, Restoration Church, Reston • Brian Greene—Worship Leader, Freedom Life Church, Hampton • Paul Myers—Worship Coordinator, Powhatan Community Church - Midlothian Campus, Powhatan • Ross Wright—Music Director/Pastor, Atlee Church, Mechanicsville
“The ability to pour into worship leaders with the intentional focus that Uptick affords is truly a game changer.” “I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with others who are committed to life in ministry and be inspired by them. From my first weekend with Uptick, I returned refreshed and encouraged. I’m looking forward to being a part of this community that has been created through this much needed ministry.” -Rev. Ross Wright “I couldn’t be more excited for the 2016 class of Uptick Artists Worship Leaders. The ability to pour into worship leaders with the intentional focus that Uptick affords is truly a game changer. We focus on assisting them to disciple their teams, live into their calling as pastors and shepherds, and assist them in creating more authentic worship experiences in the contexts of their own churches. Thank you, BGAV and Spence Network!” -Matt O’Rear Want to learn more about Uptick and other Spence Network initiatives? Contact Rachel Scott, Network Developer, at rachel.scott@bgav.org. 17
For more information, visit SpenceNetwork.org
BGAV’s Kairos Leadership Initiative receives $100,000 grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., for young adult leadership development program by Welford Orrock BGAV’s Kairos Leadership Initiative (KLI) has received a $100,000 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. for a young adult leadership development program.
“KLI helped me realize that when I perform my job, it is a sign of faith, a sign of God’s presence in my life, no matter what I did.” - Jacob Mosser, KLI 2013
KLI is one of 53 grant recipients as part of the Endowment’s 2015 Campus Ministry Theological Exploration of Vocation (CMTEV) initiative, which supports vocational discernment programs for college students attending public universities. The CMTEV initiative is designed to encourage campus ministries to create programs and strengthen existing ones that help students make connections between their academic and career pursuits and their faith commitments.
college students who have participated in KLI during its first three years have become catalytic leaders in their collegiate ministries, in their home church ministries, in their classrooms, in their careers and in the mission field. 2016 marks the fourth year of the KLI program. This year’s class includes 13 participants from six Virginia universities as well as a post-graduate serving in a BGAV church. With the help of the CMTEV initiative funds, over three years, we will 1) strengthen the quality of the Kairos Leadership Initiative Program by expanding and enhancing partnerships that align with the three strategy areas of KLI to incorporate a greater diversity and higher quality of teaching and practical experience in our primary areas of formation and 2) create a Resource Toolkit to consist of a curriculum guide for workshops and retreats, best practices for building a leadership development program, recommended resources and ongoing program support in order to enable each of our constituent ministries to replicate their own unique version of the KLI program on the local level.
“I learned that I’m not going to be the same type of leader that someone else is because God created me to be different from everyone else.” - Michaela Leatherwood, KLI 2015 The KLI program is designed to provoke high-potential leaders in our campus ministries to 1) discover their identities in Christ, 2) consider their educational and vocational goals in light of this identity, and 3) live out their lifetime call to love and serve their community and their world as they align their unique God-given strengths and gifts with their vocation. The KLI program guides each participant through individual and corporate learning and reflection to discern important aspects of their unique character, competencies and context in order to align their strengths and values to cultivate a clear sense of calling into their vocational future. An emphasis on Christian leadership emerges as each participant comes to understand how to draw from their strengths in order to actively engage in Christ’s ministry of reconciliation, of making all things new, through their vocational setting. Already the 40
For more information about the Kairos Initiative’s ministries and programs, visit www.kairosinitiative.org. Applications for 2017’s KLI class will open in August 2016. Share your email with us through the ‘Contact Us’ page to receive Kairos updates and announcements. For more information, visit KairosInitiative.org
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Find lots more information, pictures, and watch our camp video at our website:
2016
www.camppiankatank.org
SUMMER CAMPS GREAT REPUTATION SINCE 1961
2 COR 4:18
Camp Piankatank is owned and operated by the Baptist General Association of Virginia.
• • • • •
Christ-centered environment Age-appropriate, interactive Bible and mission studies daily Co-ed camps for ages 6-17 Sailing, ropes course, sports, water sports, climbing wall, and much more! • Well-trained Christian staff • Weekend Family Camp programs for Mothers and Daughters and Fathers and Sons are a fantastic get-away and bonding experience for families
Camp Piankatank consists of approximately 90 natural acres of beauty located on the pristine Piankatank River in Hartfield, Virginia (just a few miles from the Chesapeake Bay).
:19
IANS 2
EPHES
For children and youth who’ve completed grades 4-9, plus a special track (limited enrollment) for those who’ve completed grades 10-12! Camp internship positions available for college students.
SIC U M T S BAPTI S CAMP A I N I ART VIRG P I H S R & WO
July 18-22, 2016 Eagle Eyrie BGAV.org/MWAC
The Unseen Hand,
a Bluegrass Band, and What Is a Fresh Expression of by Travis Collins
It all started with The Unseen Hand. A few years ago Jim Hewitt, pastor of the Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church, in Bassett, VA, joined two other guys playing a bluegrass gospel song in the morning worship service. The title of the song was The Unseen Hand. From that song grew the idea to hold the Bluegrass Gospel and Mountain Music Pickers and Fiddlers Songfest, a bluegrass jam session on the second Saturday of each month held in the fellowship hall of the church. Church leaders blessed the idea, and they were off. Pastor Hewitt wrote, “By the time we played our third session I began to sense that God might be up to something very big… it dawned on me that we were being given the opportunity to build friendships, extend hospitality, build community, demonstrate the love of Christ to our neighbors, and share something with them that we shared in common, the love of
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music…Our pickers and fiddlers song festival has become a sacred space…filled with Christians and Seekers.” Hewitt speaks often of the Holy Spirit as the “driving force” behind this unique gathering. He soon realized that “We were being carried along by the wind of the Spirit into something exciting and fresh and far more than we could ever have imagined.” Believers and non-believers make up this new community of bluegrass lovers. One of the pickers decided to follow Jesus, and pastor Hewitt baptized him! All this has had a positive impact on the home church; they have new energy, their reputation in the community has improved, and the church’s members are now perceived as more open and caring.
Several different ensembles played together during the Bluegrass Gospel and Mountain Music Pickers and Fiddlers Songfest.
Church?
musicians are now playing in a nursing home as a ministry. Some participants might say, “This feels like church,” and thus they would exhibit the “of-ward” element.
So is this bluegrass experience a fresh expression of church? According to more traditional thinking, believers make up a “church” when they have a building and a paid pastor, are “constituted,” and are recognized by their denomination. Fresh expressions of church, however, are not as easily discernible.
Bluegrass Gospel and Mountain Music Pickers and Fiddlers Songfest is a fresh initiative bordering on, or on the way toward, a fresh expression of church. Perhaps when the group becomes more intentionally focused toward ministry to people outside them, and when there is a stronger sense from those participating that it is “church” to them, they might truly be a “fresh expression.”
A fresh expression is actually a new form of church. It is “in, up, out and of.” Relationships extend upward (they worship), inward (they engage in fellowship and discipleship), outward (they invest themselves in ministry, mission and service) and of-ward (they see themselves as part of the global family of churches).
Of course it doesn’t really matter what this is called; God’s Spirit is using these musicians to engage those outside the walls and traditions of the church. They are discipling people and enriching the established church.
So is this bluegrass experience a fresh expression of church? There certainly are upward and inward relationships evident there. There are some outward relationships developing, as people are inviting others to the gathering, and several of the
For more information, visit FreshExpressionsUS.org 21
Meet Kewen Dong, Church Planter Kewen Dong retired 10 years ago from a job in medical research to take on the burden of his people, the Fujianese immigrants of Fujian Province. In 2004 Dong left his career to fully devote himself to reaching his people and raising up church planters to do the same. Through a connection to the Chinese restaurant industry, Dong met many fellow Fujianese immigrants. It was throughout this time he witnessed the overworked, exploited, and underserved immigrant restaurant workers living in small towns along the east coast of the United States.
Global Community Church serves multiple congregations for the multicultural communities of Northern Virginia. The church began its service in a meeting room of the Baptist Association office six months ago with 12 people, including international college students of Burmese, Ethiopian, Nepalese and Korean backgrounds. The church is committed to spreading the gospel through the movement of church multiplication for planting healthy and spirit-empowered churches and disciples in every city in North America and beyond.
“Most of these people live in small towns with very few Fujianese-speaking communities or churches to influence their lives,” said Dong, who is a church planter of the Heavenly Bread Church of Virginia Beach. Dong is committed to reaching out and connecting with the displaced Fujianese workers living across the U.S. in partnership with local Baptist Churches, BGAV, and State Baptist Conventions. To date, Dong has established new works in Virginia Beach, VA; Petersburg, VA; and Elizabeth City, NC. Out of the love of the Lord and souls, Kewen Dong, a visionary church planter of the movement of restaurant workers’ church planting, is making large personal sacrifices, traveling great distances regularly to visit restaurant workers across cities across the country. He keeps expenses low by choosing to board at hotels with little heat in the winter. Dong also has an enormously challenging schedule, as he holds midnight discipleship trainings and Bible study classes to accommodate the busy schedules of restaurant workers. Dong and the church planting team share a bold vision to start 100 new Chinese churches and worship groups in America’s small cities before 2025. “BGAV will cooperate with this ministry partner in evangelizing all people groups in every ethnic and/or cultural context by developing and applying disciple-making ministry models with the Acts 1:8 focus,” said Sang Shin, Asian Church coordinator, Mosaic of Growth Venture Development.
PREPARE TO
SERVE
New churches who joined the BGAV in January Located inside the beltway of the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, Somang Church has been working tirelessly towards their goal of reaching 100,000 Korean-Americans with the gospel in 10 years. As the church seeks to carry out God’s will in fulfilling the passion for Christ among this community, Somang church wants to be a Kingdom partner to many Virginia Baptist churches. They aspire to become part of the body of Christ--a diverse family of believers who partner in unity, purpose, and with a common passion for missions and freedom in Spirit.
divinity.campbell.edu
(800) 760-9827 ext. 1830 Christ-Centered
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Bible-Based
Ministry-Focused
introducing...
The coaches are committed to serving and walking alongside leaders as they listen to God’s voice in their journey.
Many pastors and lay leaders are learning the value of having a life and leadership coach come alongside them in their journey and help them take the steps necessary to move forward in their spiritual journeys.
A coach can help: • Achieve clarity on the next steps • Focus on prioritized action rather than ideas • Leverage gifts and strength • Productively negotiate challenges and obstacles in ministry and personal life • Maximize personal and God-given potential • Create a space safe for risk-taking and transformation
Empower is the Baptist General Association of Virginia’s Coaching Initiative, designed to help leaders find a prepared coach to serve as a “thinking partner” at a reasonable cost. Empower has over 50 trained coaches who are ready and willing to engage in timely and impactful conversations about the “next steps.” Most of these coaches meet with leaders over the phone for no more than one hour. One can choose to invest in one session or multiple sessions — whatever is best.
Try a free 30-minute Coaching Experience!
Contact Ken Kessler at ken.kessler@bgav.org and set up a 30 minute free coaching conversation to learn how coaching can assist you.
Different cost options are available based on personal needs, desires, and expectations of the coaching experience. Male and female coaches are available.
For more information, visit bgav.org/Empower
FOR MINISTERS: WHAT I’M READING by Adam Tyler
minister is a sustaining reminder of Christ, and the minister is a guiding reminder of Christ.
The Living Reminder: Service and Prayer in Memory of Jesus Christ by Henri Nouwen
I found this book to be a source of refreshment in the midst of Advent, a very busy time as a minister. The run-up to Christmas is full of the sorts of ministry details that can prohibit the nurturing of a robust spirituality in the minister’s life. It was a short read; I read it in about 2 hours over the course of a couple of days. But it was profound. I came away with the distinct reminder that in my service, I was representing Jesus Christ to the people in my life and my congregation which is a high honor and a responsibility that matters.
Ministry—whether paid or volunteer, pastoral or serviceoriented—often becomes an unsustainable way of life. Whether the minister in question suffers from overwork, cynicism, or conflict, it is easy for those who serve to find that the ministry life has lost its joy. Many of us in ministry can struggle to maintain a sense of purpose and spirituality over the long haul if we are not careful. This reality is the reason Henri Nouwen’s book, The Living Reminder: Service and Prayer in Memory of Jesus Christ, is so helpful. First printed in 1977, it includes a timeless reminder of the high calling to which all who serve in the name of Christ are called. The minister is a living reminder of Jesus Christ, and ministry is remembrance of Jesus himself to those we serve. Nouwen seeks to explore this theme along three paths of thought: the minister is a healing reminder of Christ, the
Dr. Adam Tyler is pastor of Grace Hills Baptist Church, Appomattox, and currently serves as BGAV 2nd-Vice President.
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Virginia Baptist Identity by Fred Anderson
We are Virginia Baptists. Our focus is upon Jesus as Lord. We acknowledge the supremacy of the Scriptures. We value individuals and have shown this in our church polity and our theology. Our identity was forged in the struggle for soul liberty and the quest to share the gospel. We are from several diverse streams, yet we have moved as one mighty river across the landscape of Virginia. We were settlers of the Colony of Virginia. We were patriots in the struggle for independence and shapers of the documents of the new nation. We won the trophy of religious liberty for all Americans to enjoy, and we have kept the vigil through all generations. We gave of our sons and our daughters to share Christ around the world. We planted churches from the shore to the mountains and have continued to share in church planting across the country. We commissioned gospel bearers to spread good tidings across our garden called Virginia and, more recently, as ambassadors to far-flung places. We baptized converts in a steady revival that has never ceased. We were the people of camp meetings, brush arbors, barns, dwelling houses and simple meetinghouses. We have built magnificent temples and have chosen to remain in clapboard houses of worship. Every Sabbath, in places large and small, we preach the gospel in places that bear the Baptist name. We were despised, beaten and imprisoned, but we never were defeated. We drew our strength from the Almighty and our muscle from the common man. We feared no man; we feared only Almighty God. We appealed early to the Africans who were brought to America in bondage, and they joined the roaring stream of Baptists. We acknowledged the organized efforts of women to support missions, and they flourished in a free environment. We embraced each ethnic group that came to live among us and assisted in the development of churches for language groups. We were known at first by party names: the Generals, the Separates, and the Regulars. We celebrated small differences among us yet longed for unity of purpose, and in forging a
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union we made clear that everyone was not expected to believe everything alike. We respected our diversity and found variety of expression to be a virtue. We produced legions of heroes and heroines in the faith. The names are many and include Leland, Waller, Webber, Barrow, Baker, the Craigs, the Broadduses, Ireland, Weatherford, Moore, the Taylors, Semple, Jeter, Witt, Hatcher, Baldwin, Poindexter, the Halls, the Shucks, the Montagues, the Rylands, Pitt, the Bagbys, the Pollards, and a thousand regional heroes of valleys and mountains and hollows. We populated our pews and pulpits with a million more pure souls remembered only by God. We gave the world a woman named Lottie Moon and aided her work while sending a thousand more in her pathways. We caught and shared a great vision of Virginia for Christ. We constituted Baptist churches until the countryside and cityscapes were dotted with their signposts and steeples. We dared to dream bold dreams of linking congregations through the emerging information highway. We fabricated a wondrous way for autonomous churches to cooperate. We employed the time-honored concept of association and formed a General Association to focus the purpose of so many congregations. We developed, little by little, that General Association until it best served the needs of Virginia and the churches. We carefully maintained a way for any and all to participate in the General Association with integrity, as joint heirs of a priceless legacy. We early embraced the Sunday school movement and church training. We established schools, colleges, seminaries and a religious newspaper. We ached for social causes and attempted to help through benevolence, children’s homes and homes for the aged, and as many channels as there were needs. Since 1823 the Baptist General Association of Virginia has sought “to advance the Redeemer’s Kingdom,” good words from our first Constitution. It is not the only Christian effort, and it gladly works alongside others. It is not even the only Baptist witness, and it willingly links arms with brothers and
Fred Anderson serves as the Baptist historian for the BGAV. He is executive director of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society and the founding director of the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies, both ministry partners of the BGAV. Since November 1982 he has been clerk of the BGAV. The Virginia Baptist Identity was first written for the BGAV’s 175th anniversary in 1998 and reprinted in God’s Stories: An Illustrated History of Baptists in Virginia published in 2007. For 30 years Fred wrote a regular Baptist heritage column for the Religious Herald.
sisters in the faith. It is composed of people of character and commitment, people of nobility and integrity--people who are children of God. We are Virginia Baptists. We are a people with an identity, a history, and a presence in this garden we call Virginia and even far beyond. We rejoice in the ways Christ has led us, claim our goodly heritage, and march forth into the unwritten future secure in whom and whose we are. We are Virginia Baptists – a people called the General Association.
Virginia Baptists have been moving forward for 300 years. Pictured is the scene of the Traveling Church, a Baptist congregation which moved from Spotsylvania County, VA to Kentucky in 1781. The artist’s depiction is from the Virginia Baptist History Mural by Sidney E. King at the Virginia Baptist Historical Society’s headquarters on the campus of the University of Richmond.
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T.G.I.F.
by Ed Jordan
Everybody’s heard the abbreviation T.G.I.F, which stands for “Thank God It’s Friday!” The end of the work week has arrived! It means it’s time for a break, or that the worst is over, we’re over the hump, and better things are coming. The Easter season provides us time to consider the amazing life and death of Jesus. He went through about 33 years of life on Earth, knowing that a gruesome death awaited him. I sometimes wonder if Jesus, as he was nailed to the cross, was not inwardly thinking something like “Thank God it’s Friday!” On that Good Friday, his work was almost complete, and he knew better things were coming. Soon the pain of His human suffering would be over, and the day of His resurrection would be close at hand.
Furthermore, he had to be ready for betrayal, unjust tribunals, abuse, mocking, lack of food and sleep, beatings, whippings, loneliness, and pain. He would experience dehydration, suffocation, and the humiliation of being hung naked before a jeering crowd as spikes were driven through his body. He would be crushed as the weight of the world’s sin was transferred onto His shoulders. In his last hours, he would tell John to take care of his mother, Mary.
But on the way to that Good Friday, Jesus led a very special and amazing life. I often marvel at how much Jesus went through in his short lifetime and how little we appreciate his fortitude and commitment to go through it all, motivated by his love for us.
Then when everything was provided for, and all things were fulfilled, we read in John 19:30 (ESV): “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” In Matthew 27:51-54 we read that upon Jesus’ death, the veil in the temple, which symbolized the barrier that kept sinful man separated from Holy God, was torn from the top to the bottom. Sin’s dominion over people had finally come to an end.
He began his public ministry by calling twelve disciples to spend time with him, learn from him, and eventually change the world. Jesus invited people to become citizens of God’s kingdom and to experience a changed life. Jesus taught as no one else taught. He backed up his teaching with God’s miraculous activity among the lives of those who would believe in him and turn to God. Some of the religious leaders became jealous and sought ways to kill Jesus. From that time on, His ministry met opposition, and it became more and more difficult.
Jesus finished his work on Good Friday, and it’s a Friday we can certainly thank God for. But more importantly, because of his resurrection, our “Thank God It’s Friday” has been changed into an eternal “Thank God It’s Finished!” Sin’s hold over us is finished, death’s domination is finished, and our alienation from God is finished. Our powerlessness to do God’s will is finished, as are any grounds for our condemnation! Doubts about the reality of God are also finished, as are doubts about the power of God, and doubts regarding the reality of life beyond the grave.
The last three months of Jesus’ life should be considered carefully. He experienced almost daily conflict caused by the religious leaders. His disciples were involved in power struggles in a desire to become his top lieutenants. His life was like a lit fuse burning its way to the powder keg. He still had so much to do before he would die on the cross and leave it to the disciples to carry on the work. Time was running out as Good Friday approached.
We who place our faith in God experience the completed salvation of God, given to all who believe in Jesus. There remains only one more thing for each person to do. We must individually believe and trust fully in Jesus and what God has accomplished in him, so that we may experience the finished work of Christ in our lives. Can you declare “Thank God It’s Finished!” in your own life?
Just imagine the pressure upon Jesus. He had to prepare his followers for his departure. He had to help them understand what they would need to do and how to do it. He needed to keep them focused on what was really important while helping them avoid competition and divisiveness.
Award-winning columnist Dr. Ed Jordan is pastor of Gwynn’s Island Baptist Church, Gwynn, VA. He can be reached at
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szent.edward@gmail.com.
LATEST MINISTRY JOBS • Minister of Students @ Bethlehem Baptist Church, Richmond, VA
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• Kairos Collegiate/Young Adult Minister @ UVA-Wise • Kairos Collegiate/Young Adult Minister @ Christopher Newport University • Minister to Students and Youth @ New Highland Baptist Church, Mechanicsville, VA • Director of Missions @ Yates Baptist Association, Durham, NC • Full-Time Interim Pastor @ Goochland Baptist Church, Manakin-Sabot, VA • Summer Outreach Ministry Intern @ Urbanna Baptist Church, Urbanna, VA
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• P/T Minister of Youth @ Troutville Baptist Church, Troutville, VA
• Minister of Music @ New Bethesda Baptist Church, Mechanicsville, VA
• Music Ministry Coordinator @ Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church, Fredericksburg, VA
• Senior Pastor @ Gayton Baptist Church, Henrico, VA
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BGAV.today Advance Notice Weekly email newsletter featuring #KingdomStories A daily news aggregator of stories and pictures from the BGAV and beyond. Sign up at BGAV.today. of the missions and ministries of the BGAV. Sign up at BGAV.org. Third Thursday Every third Thursday, we email downloadable bulletin inserts for use in your church. Sign up at BGAV.org. Like us on Facebook! Facebook.com/VirginiaBaptists Follow us on Twitter! Twitter.com/VaBaptists Follow us on Instagram! Instagram.com/VirginiaBaptists
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We’d love to hear from you and tell your church’s #KingdomStories! Give us a call at 800.255.2428 or email Nathan White, Chief Marketing Officer, at nathan.white@bgav.org.
Advancing the Kingdom Together
BGAV
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Richmond, Virginia Permit No. 636
Advancing the Kingdom Together
Virginia Baptist Mission Board, Inc. Baptist General Association of Virginia 2828 Emerywood Parkway Richmond, VA 23294
Missions
Youth and adults minister through a variety of service projects in the greater Lynchburg area ranging from VBS to construction to visitation opportunities.
Discipleship
Age-appropriate learning opportunities are provided for preschoolers through senior adults.
Worship
Daily services for children, youth and adults are highlighted by dynamic preaching, music and missions.
Fellowship
Participants join together for an opening night picnic, a mid-week ice cream social, and packaging meals for the Source of Light orphanage in Haiti.
Fun
There will be lots of pool time, plus a talent show, volleyball tournament, Frisbee golf, scavenger hunt, night hike, and Capture the Flag!
MC2 Connection Celebration
July 25-29, 2016 Eagle Eyrie Keynote Speaker: Darrell Cook Baptist Collegiate Minister Virginia Tech
MORE INFO/register AT: EagleEyrie.org/MC2
SALT LIGHT -N-
Matthew 5:13-16