BGAV 2022 Annual Meeting Program Guide

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

PLATINUM SPONSORS

Virginia Baptist Foundation/EverBless National Ministry Team Impact Missions

GOLD SPONSORS

Bluefield University

International Mission Board

SILVER SPONSORS

Baptist World Alliance

Freedom School of Ministry

Virginia Baptist Historical Society

BRONZE SPONSORS

Camp Piankatank

Campbell University Divinity School

HopeTree

Kairos Initiative

John Leland Center for Theological Studies

Ministering to Ministers Foundation/ Center for Lifelong Learning North American Mission Board/ Send Relief Vanco

Virginia Baptist Women in Ministry WOVEN Circle, Inc.

OTHER SPONSORS

Averett University

Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty

Bland Ministry Center

Chaplaincy Relations

Eagle Eyrie Conference Center

Gardner-Webb University

GC2 Press GraceInside

GuideStone

HuffMorris Architects

McAfee School of Theology

North American Mission Board

Northern Seminary Peptalk Ministries

Virginia Baptists Committed Virginia Church Library Association

Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia

Camp Piankatank is owned and operated by the Baptist General Association of Virginia. “Developing dynamic disciples for Christ, through relationships and adventure”

RETREATS FOR CHURCHES, COMPANIES, AND ORGANIZATIONS

• Christ-centered environment • Age-appropriate, interactive Bible studies daily • Co-ed camps for ages 6-17

• Sailing, ropes course, sports, water sports, climbing wall, and much more!

• Well-trained Christian staff

• Year-round retreat facilities available

• A place of retreat to build relationships

• Cabin-style accommodations

• Customized pricing for groups up to 180 people overnight

• Activities includes swimming pool, canoes, kayaks, low ropes teambuilding activities, high ropes course, and climbing wall

Hosted by the BGAV Executive Director Search Committee,

For the last century, VBF has faithfully served the Christian community — empowering donors, strengthening ministries and supporting the next generation of leaders. Today, that meaningful work continues as EverBless. Our name has changed, but our mission remains the same. Leveraging sophisticated financial tools and decades of experience, EverBless works to maximize the impact of your finances, so you can maximize the impact of your mission — today and tomorrow. Discover how we can move your mission forward.

2828 Emerywood Parkway, Henrico, VA 23294 (804) 672-8862

For the last century, VBF has faithfully served the Christian community — empowering donors, strengthening ministries and supporting the next generation of leaders. Today, that meaningful work continues as EverBless. Our name has changed, but our mission remains the same. Leveraging sophisticated financial tools and decades of experience, EverBless works to maximize the impact of your finances, so you can maximize the impact of your mission — today and tomorrow. Discover how we can move your mission forward.

2828 Emerywood Parkway, Henrico, VA 23294 (804) 672-8862

After serving Christians for 100 years, Virginia Baptist Foundation is now EverBless.

After serving Christians for 100 years, Virginia Baptist Foundation is now EverBless.

CONNECT

S EVRE THRIVE

GUEST SPEAKERS

Keynote Speaker CAREY NIEUWHOF

Carey Nieuwhof is a best-selling leadership author, speaker, podcaster, former attorney, and church planter.

Carey speaks to leaders around the world about leadership, change and personal growth. His podcast, The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast, has 18 million downloads and features interviews with many of today’s top leaders.

In addition, Carey writes one of today’s most influential leadership blogs at CareyNieuwhof.com. His online content is accessed by leaders over 1.5 million times a month. He holds degrees in law, theology, and history.

Carey’s mission is to help people thrive in life and leadership. He has extensive experience helping organizations lead through change, develop high-capacity teams, deepen their personal growth along with their health.

His best-selling book, At Your Best: How to Get Time, Energy, and Priorities Working in Your Favor, is designed to help every leader escape stress and begin living at a sustainable pace and has been profiled by Forbes, Fast Company, and Business Insider.

Carey and his wife Toni live north of Toronto, Ontario and have two grown sons. In his spare time, you’ll catch him barbecuing on his Big Green Egg, cycling, or boating.

Speaker

FREDDY VILLARREAL

Freddy Villarreal and his wife, Jen, live in Yorktown, VA, with four of their five children: Parker, Eli, Kaelin, and Ty. Their oldest son and daughter-in-law, Kyle and Jenny, live in Richmond, VA.

In October of 2004, Freddy joined alongside 26 other people to start Freedom Life Church. He enjoys focusing on the vision of the church, coordinating the preaching team, and supporting the church’s Kingdom initiatives.

In addition to serving at FLC, Freddy also serves as a Teaching Pastor at his mentor pastor’s church, The Chapel, a multi-campus church located in the northern suburbs of Chicago, IL.

When he is not at the church or the office, Freddy can be found hanging with his family, at the gym, watching TV, or playing some kind of sport. He especially loves playing/watching/talking about football!

Worship Leader KATE CAMPBELL

Kate Campbell is a southern singersongwriter who writes and sings memorable folk songs infused with undercurrents of delta blues, folk, pop, and country that originate from a musical landscape spanning the less-traveled back roads from Nashville to Muscle Shoals to Memphis.

Kate has graciously served as BGAV’s worship leader for the 2020 and 2021 Annual Meetings, which were both held virtually because of the global pandemic. We are excited to have her to lead us in worship in person this year!

It’s hard enough to cling to faith when times are good. But what happens when life stops you in your tracks? This free video-driven Bible study shares how ordinary people respond to extraordinary challenges. Their inspirational stories show how, with God's help, we can do more than just move forward. We can become unstoppable.

MEETING SCHEDULE

“Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again. Those who sow their tears as seeds will reap a harvest with joyful shouts of glee. They may weep as they go out carrying their seed to sow, but they will return with joyful laughter and shouting with gladness as they bring back armloads of blessing and a harvest overflowing!”

Psalms 126:4-6 (The Passion)

Do It Again, LORD! Do It Again,

Do It Again, GOD! Do It Again, GOD!

Monday afternoon, November 14 Hampton Roads Convention Center See map on pages 6–7 for room locations.

Registration Open 12:30 – 5:00 p.m. Ministry Fair Open 12:45 – 4:45 p.m.

2:30 p.m. Meet and Greet Dr. Wayne Faison Ministry Fair 3:00–4:15 p.m. Breakout Sessions (see pg.22)

SPECIAL EVENTS: 12:30–2:30 p.m. Korean Fellowship Room 204 1:15–2:30 p.m. Pastor’s Conference Room 201-202 7:00–9:00 p.m. Retirement Celebration for John Upton First Baptist Church, Newport News Recording will be available online after the event.

Intermission

Congregational Worship

Theme Interpretation

Congregational Worship

Freddy Villarreal

Keynote Speaker Carey Nieuwhof

Congregational Worship

Benediction Tom Harvey

Tuesday afternoon, November 15

Hampton Roads Convention Center

2:00 p.m. Regional Meetings Ballrooms D–G

2:25 p.m. Breakout Sessions (see pg.24)

3:50 p.m. Breakout Sessions (see pg.26)

SPECIAL EVENTS:

12:00 p.m. Impact Missions Youth Luncheon

Ivy Memorial Baptist Church, Hampton

12:00 p.m. Lunch with Leland Embassy Suites

12:15 p.m. Uptick Alum Luncheon

Ivy Memorial Baptist Church, Hampton

5:00 p.m. African American Fellowship of Virginia

Hampton Roads Convention Center, Room 207

5:15 p.m. VBWIM Dinner

Hampton Baptist Church, Hampton

Wednesday morning, November 16 Main Session (Ballrooms D–G)

Presiding: Ron Gravatt

Music: Kate Campbell

Registration Open 8:15 – 10:00 a.m.

Ministry Fair Open 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

This session will be livestreamed online via ChurchPoint app/meeting website.

8:45 a.m. Prelude – Old-Fashioned Hymn Sing 9:00 a.m. Call to Order

Scripture and Prayer

Ron Gravatt Special Music Kate Campbell

Business Session

• 2023 Budget Approval

• BGAV Constitution/Bylaws Approval

• Report of the Resolutions Committee Darrell Foster

• Election of the Mission Council

• Election of Executive Director

• Election of BGAV President

• Election of BGAV First Vice-President

• Election of BGAV Second Vice-President

• Election of BGAV Clerk

• Election of Executive Board

• Election of Executive Board Chair

• Recognition of Standing Committee Chairs Ron Gravatt

• Recognition of Retiring Executive Board Members David Washburn

• Recognition and Prayer for Leadership

Subscribe to Our eNewsletter

Advance Notice is our biweekly email newsletter featuring the missions and ministries of the BGAV and stories of #YourChurchThriving, along with links to the latest ministry job postings and upcoming events.

Sign up to receive this enewsletter at BGAV.org/Newsletters

Visit BGAV.org

Our website features the latest news and resources for your ministries, as well as the latest ministry jobs available. Be sure to bookmark BGAV.org to keep up-to-date with the latest from BGAV.

BGAV Express magazine

Get the latest BGAV news straight to your mailbox! The BGAV Express magazine is mailed periodically to share the latest news, offerings, and celebrations in BGAV life.

Visit BGAV.org/Express to subscribe and check out back issues.

Follow Us on Social Media!

Facebook.com/VirginiaBaptists Instagram.com/virginiabaptists Twitter.com/VaBaptists

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Monday afternoon, November 14 3:00–4:15 p.m.

Multiplying Disciples Over Spectators Conference Rooms B–C

Can you definitively say that you have been discipled and can disciple someone else? Do you have the clarity to equip those in your church community to be a disciple and therefore go and make disciples? In this session, we will clearly define the need for a Discipleship Pathway and an equipping framework that helps to make all attendants in your church community disciples who live into Jesus’ Great Commission and make disciples.

Led by Dr. Rev. Eun K. Strawser. Eun serves as the co-vocational lead pastor of Ma Ke Alo o (which means “Presence” in Hawaiian), a BGAV Watch Care Church with missional communities multiplying in Honolulu, HI, a community physician, and an executive leader at the V3 Movement, the church planting arm of the BGAV. She is also the author of Centering Discipleship: A Pathway for Multiplying Spectators into Mature Disciples (IVP 2023). Prior to transitioning to Hawaii, she served as adjunct professor of medicine at the Philadelphia College of Medicine and of African Studies at her alma mater the University of Pennsylvania (where she and her husband, Steve, served with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship) after finishing her Fulbright Scholarship at the University of Dar es Salaam. She and Steve have three seriously amazing children.

Dying to Live: Waking Up to the Mission of God Conference Room A

Many churches in the United States have either stopped growing or are in decline. Yet, what is even more concerning is the steady drift away from following Christ deeper into our local communities to live on mission. Leaders like you are regularly waking up to this new reality that the pandemic has made it impossible to ignore. In this session, we will explore practical ways on how to lead through change in our churches for the sake of our neighbors.

Led by Josh Hayden. Josh is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church in Ashland, VA. Josh studied leadership and organizational change while writing Creative Destruction: Towards a Theology of Institutions to receive his Doctor of Ministry at Duke Divinity School. He’s also the author of Sacred Hope, a book designed to foster conversation about the role of hope in our everyday lives. Josh is the Director of Re-missioning with the V3 Movement.

2:25–3:35 p.m.

Executive Board & Budget Dialogue

Conference Room A

Do you have questions for the BGAV Executive Board, the Executive Director Search Committee, about the proposed changes to the BGAV Constitution/Bylaws, and/or about the 2023 budget? Come meet with BGAV leadership for discussion and dialogue.

Hosted by David Washburn, BGAV treasurer; and Becky McKinney, chair of the BGAV Executive Board.

Digital Proficiency for the Local Church Conference Rooms B–C

Leading a church is never easy, and the unexpected adjustments over the past couple years have made it even harder. Livestream worship services, drive-in church, and social media connections have become necessary parts of many church’s weekly offerings. For small- to medium-sized churches where resources and dollars can be tight, getting the most reach with your digital presence can be overwhelming. Join us to learn how to improve your church’s online presence through some easy and cost-effective tips.

Led by Tom York and Will York. Tom and Will are a father-and-son duo from Richmond, VA. As developers of the ChurchPoint app, their company focuses on helping local churches be best positioned for success through technology. Tom and Will draw on their background of corporate work and part-time ministerial roles to offer a unique perspective on what churches can do to thrive in today’s digital world. Having interacted with hundreds of churches across different denominations, they look forward to sharing their insights on how to improve your churches’ digital presence.

Calling Churches: Finding and Keeping Pastoral Leaders for Your Church

Ballrooms D–G (Main Session room)

An alarming percentage of pastors are thinking about leaving full-time ministry, and numerous churches have open pastor positions. However, the Spirit is calling new generations of staff, ministers, and senior pastors to serve. Join Dr. Bill Shiell, President of Northern Seminary, as he shares surprising data and insights to help you recruit and retain church staff. In addition, Dr. Shiell will share practical steps to help churches reclaim their role as the “called out ones” by discipling their congregations, sustaining and nurturing their existing staff, identifying and calling pastors, and training everyone for lifelong ministry.

Led by Bill Shiell. Bill is the eleventh President of Northern Seminary, where he also serves as Professor of Pastoral Theology and Preaching. Prior to coming to Northern, Dr. Shiell served as a Pastor of Baptist churches in Texas (McGregor and San Angelo); Tennessee (Knoxville); and Florida (Tallahassee). A native of Pensacola, Florida, Dr. Shiell holds degrees from Samford University (B.A.) and Baylor University (M. Div., Ph.D.). Bill and his wife, Kelly, met while in college at Samford. They have two sons, Parker (17) and Drake (11).

3:50–5:00 p.m.

Darkness to Light Conference Room A

In summer 2022 BGAV announced that training for preventing child sexual abuse would be available to churches and individuals. Darkness to Light’s “Stewards of Children” is a facilitator-led video-anddiscussion-based training program featuring real people and real stories about protecting children from sexual abuse. It offers five key steps to protecting children: learning the facts, minimizing opportunity, talking about it, recognizing the signs, and reacting responsibly. This breakout will provide an introduction to the training BGAV is offering, including how churches and individuals can access it and take steps to develop their own policies for protecting the children they serve.

Led by Impact Missions Team.

Axis Academy and Resource Network Introduces Co-Vocational Church Resources Conference Rooms B–C

During this session, participants will learn about a new AXIS resource regarding the Co-Vocational Church including why there is a growing need for co-vocational churches, what distinguishes co-vocational pastors from bi-vocational pastors, and the benefits of a co-vocational church for the congregation as well as the community. Please join us as we share these exciting resources for your church and congregation. In addition, you will learn about resources offered through AXIS including professional development and peer networks that foster supportive relationships for church leaders across the BGAV family. The AXIS Coordinator will also share how changes in registration and scholarship applications will ease the course registration process and lower costs for church leaders.

Led by Kathy Kruschwitz. Kathy currently serves as the Program Director for AXIS Ministry Academy and Resource Network. She is also the owner of Meraki Consulting LLC and provides leadership coaching, training, technical assistance, and facilitation services to churches and nonprofit organizations. Kathy earned a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and has sharpened her skills through the study of creative competencies with the Center for Creative Leadership. She has a blended family, and together with her husband Al, have 7 children and 11 grandchildren. She resides in Williamsburg, VA.

Ballrooms D–G (Main Session room)

Ascent is a Christ-centered movement of the Holy Spirit through a collaboration of numerous committed partners, associations, churches, and leaders to re-engage the North American population with the Gospel of Jesus.

Jointly affirming the 381 Nicene Creed and the 2010 Capetown Commitment, Ascent partners are centrist orthodox believers and associations who eschew the political and theological polarizations that are dividing North America and diverting the church’s attention away from answering the call of Jesus’ Great Commission.

The Baptist General Association of Virginia has answered God’s call to be the primary catalyst of this movement, and we are passionately committed to its success. This breakout will provide more information about the Ascent movement and how your church or organization can participate.

Led by Jim Baucom. Jim currently serves as Senior Pastor of Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church, VA. He is also part of the steering council for Ascent.

PROGRAM PERSONNEL

Kate Campbell .....................

Singer / Songwriter, Nashville, TN

Scott Curtis ........................... Pastor, Heritage Baptist Church, Farmville, VA

Darrell Foster ........................ Member, Thalia Lynn Baptist Church, Virginia Beach, VA

Ron Gravatt .......................... President, Baptist General Association of Virginia, Henrico, VA

Ellen Gwathmey ..................

Tom Harvey ...........................

2nd Vice-President, Baptist General Association of Virginia, Henrico, VA

Interim Pastor, Buena Vista Baptist Church, Buena Vista, VA

Bryon LePere ........................ Senior Pastor, Gayton Baptist Church, Henrico, VA

Gary Long ............................. Chief Marketing Officer, BGAV/Ascent, Henrico, VA

Tamara McBride ................... Member, East End Baptist Church, Suffolk, VA

Becky McKinney ................... Chair, BGAV Executive Board

Carey Nieuwhof ................... Founder and CEO of Carey Nieuwhof Communications, Oro-Medonte, Ontario, Canada

Herbert Ponder .................... 1st Vice-President, Baptist General Association of Virginia, Henrico, VA

Randy Shepley .....................

Pastor, First Baptist Church Newport News

Nathan Taylor ...................... Clerk, Baptist General Association of Virginia, Henrico, VA

Robert Thompson ...............

Minister of Pastoral Care, Richmond’s First Baptist Church, Richmond, VA

Adam Tyler ............................ Pastor, Farmville Baptist Church, Farmville, VA

Freddy Villarreal ................... Pastor, Freedom Life Church, Hampton, VA

David Washburn .................. Treasurer, Baptist General Association of Virginia, Henrico, VA

Jim White ...............................

Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church of Waynesboro, Waynesboro, VA

Tuesday, November 15

Impact Missions Youth Luncheon

Ivy Memorial Baptist Church

2200 Coliseum Dr, Hampton, VA 23666

12:00 p.m. Explore the future of youth and family mission engagement at lunch during the BGAV annual meeting! Impact Mission Camps and Disaster Response are inviting you to share lunch with us Tuesday 11/15 at Ivy Memorial Baptist Church during the BGAV annual meeting in Hampton. Discuss the future of youth and family mission engagement for churches – turning your mission trips into inspiration for local mission and allowing local mission to inform how you invest in mission trips. We’ll share resources to help you transform mission engagement in your church into a lifestyle of mission. There’s no cost for lunch, but space is limited. Registration required.

Lunch with Leland

Embassy Suites (attached to Hampton Roads Convention Center) 12:00 p.m. Join us for lunch, fellowship, and “Why Preaching Matters” with the John Leland Center for Theological Studies. Registration required.

Uptick Alum Luncheon

Ivy Memorial Baptist Church

2200 Coliseum Dr, Hampton, VA 23666

12:15 p.m. Join us for the Uptick Alum luncheon to enjoy a free lunch, connect and network with other Uptick alumni, and hang out with Uptick staff (John Chandler, Sonya Habimana, Laura McDaniel, and Paul Maconochie, and Artemia T. Bates-Mendoza). You’ll also be able to learn about the vision and exciting opportunities for Uptick alumni, and get some new Uptick swag! Registration required.

African-American Fellowship of Virginia Dinner Room 207

5:00 p.m. Registration required.

Virginia Baptist Women in Ministry (VBWIM) Dinner

Hampton Baptist Church

40 Kings Way, Hampton, VA 23669

5:00 p.m.

This time will be spent getting to know one another better and reflecting on all that has changed in our ministries since last we were able to gather in person at BGAV – back in 2019! Guests & spouses of VBWIM folk, as well as those interested in learning more about VBWIM, are also warmly invited to attend. You don’t need to be a woman in ministry to come support women in ministry! Registration required.

FRESH EXPRESSIONS

V3 CHURCH PLANTING MOVEMENT

TheV3Movement.org

A Fresh Expression is a form of church for our changing culture, established primarily for the benefit of those who are not yet part of any church—a church for the future.

Around the world, local churches are stepping out in faith and beginning fresh expressions of church, new or different forms of church for a changing culture.

Don’t just launch another worship service; engage in the grassroots work of movement. V3 seeks to recover the DNA that Jesus placed in his church 2000 years ago. We help start and sustain new churches with the practices of boundary-crossing mission, locally-rooted presence, lifeforming discipleship, and tight-knit community through coaching.

Join us on this adventure and partner in the larger movement God’s spirit is igniting.

BGAV NATIONAL MINISTRY TEAM

MISSIO ALLIANCE

FreshExpressions.com MissioAlliance.org

Missio Alliance is a convictional fellowship of Christian institutions, churches, and leaders committed to exploring and engaging faithfulness in God’s mission after Christendom.

CREATIVELY ADVANCING MINISTRY PREPARATION (C.A.M.P.)

C.A.M.P. is dedicated to cultural church ministries including Asian, African-American, Hispanic, and other ethnic congregations. Please reach out to our team directly in order to learn more about our C.A.M.P. ministries and how your church can become involved.