BGAV Express - Fall 2023

VOL 8, ISSUE 3

FALL 2023

Two BGAV churches combine resources for staffing needs and greater outreach // pg 9

Making a Joyful Noise

Gwynn’s Island Baptist Church offers new music camp for summer outreach 6

CHANGE. COOPERATION. COVENANT. 2023-24 Scholarship Recipients

This year’s recipients of BGAV scholarships and ministerial education funds 14

“Familias Unidas”

Missio Alliance receives endowment to launch initiative for marginalized Christian families

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“CALLED TO BE...”

by Wayne Faison

WAYNE FAISON is the Executive Director of BGAV.

Since our voluntary association originated in 1823, the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) has been “Called to Be…”. According to our original constitution, our forebears felt called to be propagators of the gospel and advancers of the Redeemer’s Kingdom. Here we are as Virginia Baptists, 200 years later, continuing to minister with this same passionate call running warm through our spiritual veins. Our calling is the same.

developing, planting, and resourcing our way forward. Sending is how we mobilize ourselves purposefully across the globe.

Developing is how we strengthen ourselves purposefully for the mission. Planting is how we invest ourselves purposefully in the causes of the Kingdom. Resourcing is how we share ourselves purposefully with the next generation of Virginia Baptists. God is doing some amazing things with who we are being “Called to Be…” for such a time as this.

The “Call to Be…” a propagator of the gospel means to be a spreader of the gospel. The “Call to Be…” an advancer of the Redeemer’s Kingdom means to be an increaser of the Redeemer’s Kingdom. Both callings­—spreaders and increasers ­—denote the idea of moving forward and pressing ahead with purpose. Even as we commemorate the last 200 years of our existence, I hope you will be encouraged by how Virginia Baptists are moving forward and pressing ahead toward our next 100 years with purpose.

The Apostle Paul reminded the church in Corinth in 1 Corinthians 1:2 (NASB), “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours.”

It sounds like the Apostle Paul is making a clarion call to the spreaders and increasers of his time and era. Virginia Baptists, it is my prayer that in our current time and era we would never shy away from being who we are “Called to Be…”. Why? Because simply put, this is who we’ve always been “Called to Be…”!

When I begin contemplating what might take place over the next century, several things quickly come to my mind. First, God is still going to be God. Second, Christ is still going to be Savior. Third, the Holy Spirit is still going to be Comforter.

And Virginia Baptists are still going to be purposefully sending,

CALLED Celebrating 200 Years

TO BE 2023

1823-

CHANGE. COOPERATION. COVENANT.

IN THIS

// pg 9

4 // BGAV News & Notes 6 // A New Summer Outreach: Music Camp at Gwynn’s Island Baptist Church 9 // Change. Cooperation. Covenant 13 // Fresh Expressions US Announces New Virginia Catalyst

ISSN 2573-5101 (print) ISSN 2573-511X (online) A publication of the Baptist General Association of Virginia Volume 8, Issue 3 Fall 2023 BGAV Express is published seasonally by the Baptist General Association of Virginia, 2828 Emerywood Parkway, Henrico, VA 23294.

14 // 2023-2024 BGAV Scholarship and Ministerial Education Fund Recipients 17 // Northeastern Seminary and Missio Alliance To Launch “Familias Unidas” 19 // Latest Ministry Jobs

Send subscription requests and address changes to: Jennifer Law jennifer.law@bgav.org 800.255.2428, ext. 1223

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER: Gary M. Long, Jr.

BGAV Express Baptist General Association of Virginia 2828 Emerywood Parkway Henrico, VA 23294 toll-free 800.255.2428

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Meghan Wilson

Or visit BGAV.org/Express.

BGAV EXPRESS EDITOR: Jennifer Law

NEWS + NOTES Staff Changes

Coming Soon: BGAV International Missions Offering

BGAV’s Kairos Initiative team welcomed the following new staff members as of August 1, 2023: • Talon Brandon, Associate Campus Minister, Virginia Tech • Haley Gillespie, Associate Collegiate Minister, James Madison University • Peter Larsen, Associate, Eunoia Expression, BCM at University of Virginia

In response to several BGAV-participating churches seeking alternatives for international missions offerings, particularly during the Christmas season, BGAV’s Impact Missions team is creating a way to make that happen.

BGAV is already engaged in missions efforts around the world, and many BGAV churches already give designated gifts to these in the areas of poverty, refugee ministry, and church planting-to name a few. Your church can too.

We will miss: • Beth Barth, who resigned as Administrative Assistant in the business office, effective September 11, 2023.

Because this offering is a new alternative, and not a replacement for any other offerings, BGAV will continue to receive Lottie

BGAV Honors Retiring Staff Members

At our September 26 Team Day, BGAV staff celebrated the upcoming retirements of Glenn Akins and Laura McDaniel.

Glenn has served as BGAV Associate Executive Director for 20 years. He has been instrumental in the development of demographic studies for participating churches as well as serving churches outside the Commonwealth who wish to participate with BGAV. Laura has served in Uptick leadership for 10 years, most recently as Catalyst Director. Beginning in 2024, she will transition to a new role as Director of Uptick Global. In 2018 she wrote and received a $1.5 million grant from the Lilly Endowment to create Uptick Catalyst, which helps pastors flourish as they build bridges with civility in their communities.

We are thankful to God for all the ways they have both shared their remarkable gifts and talents at BGAV, and we look forward to seeing how they’ll continue to live out God’s call on their lives in their journey of retirement!

After the celebration, our Disaster Response feeding team tested their new feeding unit by preparing and serving staff a delicious lunch! Thank you to the DR staff and volunteers for the special treat!

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Glenn Akins and Laura McDaniel will retire as of December 31, 2023.

Event Calendar October 19 20-22 25 27-29

Preparing for Retirement Seminar, Henrico, VA Special Needs Retreat, Lynchburg, VA Fanning the Flame: A Post-Pandemic Missiology Kairos Initiative Fall Gathering, Lynchburg, VA

November 3 13-15

Moon Christmas Offering funds from BGAV churches and forward those funds to the Southern Baptist Convention.

This new offering is for churches seeking a different direction.

Impact Missions is excited to develop and grow this exciting new pathway for funding international missions both now and in the future.

Details about this new offering will be communicated as they are finalized along with resources for your church. Contact Dean Miller, Impact Missions team coordinator, at 800.255.2428, ext. 7264, or dean.miller@bgav.org for more information.

Crisis Care Team Training, Mechanicsville, VA BGAV Annual Meeting and 200th Anniversary Celebration, Richmond, VA

December 3-10 TBD

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions BGAV International Missions Offering

January 2024 29-31

Empower 501: Foundations of Christian Coaching

February 22

Church & Clergy Tax Seminar, Henrico, VA

March 11-13

April 14-17

Empower 502: Establishing a Dynamic Coach Relationship

Chaplain and Pastoral Care Training, Henrico, VA

A NEW SUMMER OUTREACH

Music Camp at Gwynn's Island Baptist Church

by Ed Jordan

Several years ago I was visiting my friend who pastored Broadway Baptist Church in Louisville. That week they were doing an Arts and Music Camp. We toured the classes, and I loved the creativity of the idea. But how could a small, rural church in Virginia pull off such an endeavor? This year, the kairos(God-appointed) time arrived.

For many summers we had done a traditional VBS; but in our area, VBS has become more like a childcare service. Each summer, the kids who attended our church’s VBS had already been to several VBS weeks at other churches, all using the same curriculum—so the kids were bored. But this year, one of our deacons, Jerry Ligon, felt God’s tugging for our church to try to do a music camp. I thought it was a great idea, and he took the lead on planning and implementation.

Classes began on Sunday evening and went through Friday evening, from 6:30 until 9:00 pm. We had a15-minute largegroup time, singing the songs we were learning to play. Island Praise led them the singing, and then the students followed their teachers to classrooms to begin practicing anew song each day. All the songs were in the key of C, so they would be learning and using the same chords all week for ease of learning and consistency.

Over the last few years our church’s music skillsets have been expanding, as God brings more and more musicians to play in Island Praise (our praise band), to do special music in our weekly Drive-in Services in the summer, and to lead in our indoor church services in the fall and winter. We currently have a pair of 14-year-old twins who are both very gifted in music.

Hunter Owens sings and plays guitar, and his brother Hayden is a good percussionist. Jerry recruited them to lead classes in guitar and percussion during Music Camp.

To facilitate learning, Island Praise played and sang each of the songs that we would be learning and playing that week and recorded them ahead of time. We gave each attendee a USB drive with all songs on it, so they could play and listen to the songs over and over at home, or on the road, during the week.

Autumn Jenkins, now a high-school senior, is a good vocalist who has been singing with us since fifth grade, so she led the vocal class. We wanted to offer ukulele lessons, so Jerry asked our neighbors, who do not attend our church, if they would teach those classes. They are both music teachers in public schools and were excited to be asked. We also wanted the kids to be able to play kazoos and just have fun making music, so we supplied each person with a kazoo.

We provided healthy snacks between small-group meetings each evening, and we concluded each night in the auditorium/ sanctuary by singing a few songs together.

Some highlights and takeaways from our experience: We agreed ahead of time to try to make this a God-encounter for whoever came, and we weren’t going to judge the camp’s success based upon how many people attended. Our major goal was to have kids and parents or grandparents come, have fun, learn music, and make memories together. In this regard, the Music Camp exceeded our wildest dreams. Parents and kids

God brought together the music instructors and resources we needed, along with lots of amazing helpers from the congregation. We enlisted at least two people per class to help during the small-group sessions.

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A group performs together during music camp at Gwynn’s Island Baptist Church.

Hunter Owens leads a nightly guitar class with students.

interacted together as they learned music. The bonding effect was beautiful.

We encouraged parents to stay and learn to play an instrument themselves, which was great. In one case, a whole family came and was learning music together.

Parents were the biggest fans of the camp. Many of them came to learn as well. Some people who had a guitar, but who had never sat down to practice, came to learn to use their instruments.

We used Bible songs as the curriculum, knowing that very few people (especially kids) attend church today. We wanted the kids to learn not just music, but Bible verses that God would bring back to their minds at important times in their lives.

A mother and son practice together with a music camp instructor.

The participants wanted to be there. Having so many youth leading classes helped the kids to realize they too could learn to play an instrument or sing.

We met lots of new people, and they made lifelong memories of music, God, and personal accomplishment.

Ed Jordan is senior pastor of Gwynn’s Island Baptist Church, a BGAV-participating congregation.

For more stories, visit BGAV.org

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Rev. Dr. Libby Grammer and Rev. Dr. Mike Hatfield, senior pastors of First Baptist Church and Chatham Heights Baptist Church in Martinsville, VA, have cooperated together over the past few years to share resources for their congregations.

CHANGE. COOPERATION. COVENANT. Two BGAV churches combine resources for staffing needs and greater outreach

CHANGE. COOPERATION. COVENANT. On July 23, Caroline Tucker began serving as the associate pastor for families at Chatham Heights Baptist Church. That same day, she also began serving as associate pastor for families at First Baptist Church of Martinsville. Both roles are part of one full-time position, shared equally between two churches.

Caroline is the first new hire in this shared-position initiative, but the congregations also began sharing another minister just over a year ago—when Chatham Heights’ longtime associate pastor for music and worship accepted the call to serve at First Baptist.

The two Martinsville churches are only two miles apart geographically. In their shared passion to reach their changing community, they have intentionally cooperated in remarkable ways over the past four years—leading to the creation of a covenant between the congregations, formally establishing a unique partnership.

Their relationship was born out of a sincere desire to work together in their community. For decades, Martinsville was a booming center of the textile and furniture industry in that region of the US. In the 1990s, those jobs began to go overseas, and a tremendous economic downturn ensued. For many years since, the city has led the state in unemployment rates. As a result, churches there have been greatly struggling.

According to Libby Grammer, senior pastor at First Baptist, her church and Chatham Heights had also worked with several other churches in the area in years past, “But our two specific congregations emerged from those experiences ready to try some new things,” she explained.

So in 2019, First Baptist and Chatham Heights had been planning a conference together to focus on how to do church in a new era, when they’d seen a consistent decline in attendance trends. But just as that conference was about to occur in March 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

Libby had been in her position at First Baptist only since 2018, and their attendance before that had been drastically down. “My church was already in a more desperate place,” she explained.

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Caroline Tucker (right) chats with a church member at Chatham Heights Baptist Church.

Then Chatham Heights lost 30-40 percent of their attendance during the pandemic.

“In the midst of Covid, we started to realize more changes were coming our way,” recalled Mike Hatfield, pastor of Chatham Heights. “So we proceeded with our partnership with First Baptist, even though we couldn’t do the conference we’d planned together.” The two churches shared special video services and did some Lenten and Advent/Christmas services together, but that was just the beginning.

“Everybody talks about all the negative things that happened because of Covid,” said Audrey King, chair of the Associate Pastor for Families search team at Chatham Heights. “But in my opinion, our partnership is a great thing that came from Covid.

It forced us to think outside the box.”

She continued, “The things we’ve done for the past 100 years are not going to work any longer, so we’ve got to do something a little bit different.” She remembers how they brainstormed and realized, “First Baptist is having the same struggles as we’re having. They’re doing this program, and we’re doing this program. What if we combine the programs?”

One thing led to another, and the churches did several things together including a live Nativity, a Halloween trunk or treat, a food pantry, and some combined music services.

During that same time, both churches worked with Mark Tidsworth of Pinnacle Leadership in a study called “ReShape,” a guided process designed to assist congregations in adapting and innovating after disruptive life experiences. A fascinating idea grew out of that process: the two churches could share certain ministerial staff positions.

Caroline Tucker leads the children’s sermon at First Baptist Church, Martinsville, during her “call Sunday” in June 2023.

David Cameron serves at both churches as Associate Pastor for Music and Worship.

At the time, First Baptist needed a music and worship minister, and Chatham Heights needed a minister to work with youth and families. But neither church had the budget to fund two full-time positions.

“I don’t really remember when the concept was first broached, but we talked about it and wondered if this was something we could do,” recalled David Cameron, who is now the minister of music and worship at both churches. He’d been serving at Chatham Heights for 20 years, he understood their needs and situation, and he wanted to be part of a solution. “I love kids and enjoy working with them,” he explained, “but that’s not my main calling. My main calling is in music—working with people and helping them sing praise to God.”

trying to get rid of him, will he get burned out, and are we being fair to him?” were just a few of her own concerns.

Worship schedules, which could have presented a major challenge to sharing a minister of music, worked out well after Chatham Heights agreed to continue their 9:30am service as their only Sunday morning worship time. Before the pandemic they’d had two services on Sundays—a contemporary at 9:00am and a traditional at 11:00—but the disruptions of Covid caused them to combine services into one blended worship. Because they’d made that shift already, they simply agreed to keep their one service at an earlier time. Doing so enabled David to lead worship there and then travel the two miles to First Baptist to lead their 11:00 service, which worked well because the leadership there had been more hesitant to move their long-established primary worship time.

Leaders from both churches worked together to develop shared job descriptions, and they also wrote a clear, concise covenant document to establish a formal understanding between them of how they would work together in the shared-staff effort. In 2022, David began serving both congregations as the minister of music and worship.

Members and leaders at both churches wondered how a shared position would work. David had been on staff full time at Chatham Heights for two decades, and leaders there wanted to be sure he’d be treated equitably and with sensitivity in this new situation, where the two full-time positions would be shared equally by the two churches. Audrey remembered many questions they considered at the time: “Does he think we’re

“One of the things I love best about this whole situation,” said Marsha Frith, a member of the personnel committee at First Baptist, “is that our pastor, Libby, and their pastor, Mike, work so well together. They have a strong relationship, and I doubt 11

this process would have gone so well with David if they didn’t have the relationship they do.”

June 2023, and each church voted unanimously to call Caroline as their minister to families.

“The ideas of shared programs and staff were a little hard for some people at first,” Audrey recalled. “They didn’t want our church to lose its identity.” But now she says, “We’re a little over a year into this, and everybody has seen that this is a good thing.”

Marsha is excited about Caroline joining both staffs in this new role. “It’s going to open up a huge door for both churches, because they already work so well together.”

“When we talked to her on Zoom,” recalled Mike,” it was wonderful, but it was even better when we met her face to face.

Her smile is a beaming kind of smile, and she shows enthusiasm and excitement about her calling. We saw how her calling fit perfectly with what we thought God was wanting us to find.”

David agrees. “It’s kind of given me a second wind in my ministry,” he said. “It’s presented some new challenges in working with a different set of people and a different accompanist and music library, but learning the new choir, the personalities, and the comfort levels with music and worship styles has given me a second wind.” He added, “I’ve found that whatever is best for the churches on the whole—in the long run—is best for me and my family as well. So it’s been a good move.”

“I’m so excited to be a part of two churches,” Caroline said.

“Ministry and church has always been a part of my life,” she explained,“and my home church is also still very much my family. I’m excited to get to know both these congregations.”

During the first year while David acclimated to the shared position, both churches were actively involved in a search process to find a candidate who felt called to the second shared position—a minister to families. First Baptist has a growing number of families with young children, and Chatham Heights has more families with middle- and high-school students.

Search teams from both churches worked together to advertise the position, evaluate résumés, and conduct interviews with potential candidates. After several months, Caroline Tucker emerged in the process as “the perfect fit,” according to leaders in both congregations.

The new concept brings with it some questions and challenges.

“My first concern when I heard about this position was, “If the churches have different theologies, how would I navigate that?

And do they get along with each other and like one another?”

Caroline recalled. “But as soon as I logged onto my first Zoom interview with them, I could tell that they’re just one big family.

They love each other and want to support one another in their ministry.”

Caroline continued, “A challenge could be the diversity in ages and the diversity of the people in both churches, but I also see that as such a positive thing. It’s an opportunity for growth in both places and an opportunity for a different perspective.”

“It’s taken a whole year of searching to find the right person,” Libby explained. Other candidates had raised many red flags with the kinds of questions that revealed their hesitation about how this new approach to staffing might—or might not—be a good idea. “And then a few months ago, we received this résumé from someone from Danville—right up the road. Someone who knows our area, who has just finished her MDiv at Wake Forest Divinity, and who has served in so many places that fit the same kind of theology and the same kinds of gifts and callings that we need in our churches.”

David, when asked if there was any advice he’d offer Caroline as she begins her shared ministry. position, laughingly said, “I’d tell her that the half hour between services to travel the two miles between churches isn’t as long as it looks on paper.” He said he’d advise her to “do your planning well and have everything set up as much as you can ahead of time, because Sunday mornings can get quick between services.”

Both congregations are looking ahead together toward a bright future of new opportunities that these shared positions will bring about. “The vast majority of what I hear when we talk about these positions is excitement,” said Libby. “People say ‘we’ve never thought about doing it that way.’ Who knew that you could reimburse half a salary to another church and share the

After weeks of interviews with both committees, leaders from the two churches made Caroline an offer and set up a call weekend where she’d come to both locations for meet-and-greet events, participate in worship leadership at both services, and be voted on by both congregations. That weekend happened in 12

position? Who knew that pastors could work so well together?” she recounted.“It works because we’re committed not to a church growth program for one church, but a church growth program for both churches—for the Church generally—the Big C Church. It’s Kingdom vision.”

“Yes, we’ve tried to instill this in our churches and I think that’s what they’ve caught—Kingdom vision—that panoramic of ‘more than me,’” Mike explained. “You never know what you’re going to get when you decide to put self aside and put Christ’s Kingdom first.”

Watch the video at BGAV.org

“Now, more folks are coming forward with more ideas on ways we can join forces,” Audrey surmised. “Like, what do you think about doing this? And it’s been a great thing—for the community and for our churches. I think we’ve all grown from it.”

Both Chatham Heights Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Martinsville are BGAV-participating congregations.

Fresh Expressions US Announces New Virginia Catalyst BGAV and Fresh Expressions are excited to announce the hiring of Greg LeMaster as the Virginia Catalyst for Fresh Expressions, US.

expressions and what a godly impact they can make in churches and communities,” he added. “I pray that God will use me in even greater ways.”

Greg will continue to serve at his home church, Graceland Baptist in Powhatan, VA, where he is currently the associate pastor for outreach. At Graceland, he leads several faith communities, including dinner and breakfast churches, a house church, a church for people with special needs, and Veterans at the Table.

“My team of awesome lay leaders and experienced volunteers are equipped and trained to lead these ministries when I can’t be there,” he explained.

Greg LeMaster

“As churches throughout BGAV enter into a season of renewal and repurposing, the strategy and model of “fresh expressions” is an essential tool for local congregations to establish a vital gospel witness in their communities,” explained BGAV/Ascent Associate Executive Director Chris Backert, who also serves as senior director of Fresh Expressions, North America. “Greg is an experienced practitioner in creating new communities of faith alongside existing congregations, and he has done so on Virginia soil with great effectiveness.”

Greg will begin his new position with Fresh Expressions on October 1. He will also lead a breakout session titled, “From the Steeple to the Street: Becoming a Great Commission Church in Your Greater Community” at the 2023 BGAV Annual Meeting.

“We are happy to have Greg join the Fresh Expressions team as Virginia Catalyst. Greg brings a wealth of experience that will certainly benefit many of our Virginia Baptist churches,” commented Wayne Faison, BGAV’s executive director. “We look forward to seeing what God does through Greg’s ministry as we strive to advance the Redeemer’s Kingdom.”

Greg will work to advance the mission, education, and objectives of BGAV, providing expertise from his advanced, diverse experiences with dinner churches and other fresh expressions of church.

Greg will be available to BGAV churches on a first-come, firstserved basis. Please reach out at info@freshexpressions.com or freshexpressions@bgav.org to connect with him.

“I feel that I have been called to this position for a while now, and I am very excited to be given this amazing opportunity,” Greg shared. “I’m so thankful to be able to share this vision/mission with many folks who might not already know about these fresh 13

For more information, visit FreshExpressions.com

CONGRATS TO OUR 2023–2024 RECIPIENTS! BGAV College Scholarships Amelia Anderson

Allison Flanders

Larissa McMahan

Andrew Austin

Nicolette Ford

Emily McManamey

Calvina Birch

Ella Glaze

Meredith McManamey

Abbygale Bradley

Allison Gray

Kasey Mize

Chelsea Brennan

Lillian Gray

Leigha Montrief

Nathan Brewer

Emily Green

Maggie Moore

Megan Buffkin

Kinkade Huggins

Audra Murphy

Ellie Calkin

Ashley Johnson

Maureen Poe

Garrett Croxton

Zane Johnson

Tanner Poe

Morgan Curtis

Barnabas Jordan

Miranda Pollard

Taylor Davis

Isabella Lee

Pender Raymond

Preston Edmonds

Constanza Mangieri

Elizabeth Recktenwald

Belmont Baptist Church Charlottesville, VA Goucher College

Lighthouse International Church Henrico, VA Old Dominion University

Lighthouse International Church Henrico County, VA Randolph Macon College

Nickelsville First Baptist Church Nickelsville, VA Emory and Henry College

Chesterfield Baptist Church Moseley, VA College of William & Mary

Grandin Court Baptist Church Roanoke, VA College of William & Mary

Walnut Hills Baptist Church Williamsburg, VA Longwood University

Coastal Community Church Virginia Beach, VA Kutztown University

Beech Grove Baptist Church Hayes, VA Liberty University

Heritage Baptist Church Farmville, VA Samford University

Vinton Baptist Church Vinton, VA Virginia Tech

Cool Spring Baptist Church Mechanicsville, VA Liberty University

Columbia Baptist Church Falls Church, VA Mary Washington University

West Main Baptist Church Danville, VA Averett University

River Road Church, Baptist Richmond, VA Wake Forest University

Westwood Baptist Church Springfield, VA Northern Virginia Community College

Westwood Baptist Church Springfield, VA Virginia Tech

Blacksburg Baptist Church Blacksburg, VA James Madison University

West Main Baptist Church Danville, VA Averett University

Ringgold Baptist Church Ringgold, VA Glenville State University

Green Valley Baptist Church Lebanon, VA University of Virginia

West Lynchburg Baptist Church Lynchburg, VA Liberty University

Huguenot Road Baptist Church North Chesterfield, VA James Madison University

Parkwood Baptist Church Annandale, VA Longwood University

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Gayton Baptist Church Henrico, VA Lees-McRae College

Chestnut Hill Baptist Church Lynchburg, VA Liberty University

Chestnut Hill Baptist Church Lynchburg, VA Longwood University

Warrenton Baptist Church Warrenton, VA Virginia Commonwealth University

Ferry Farm Baptist Church Fredericksburg, VA Shenandoah University

Manly Memorial Baptist Church Lexington, VA Bridgewater College

Glenn Memorial Baptist Church Prospect, VA East Carolina University

Northside Baptist Church Mechanicsville, VA Randolph-Macon College

Northside Baptist Church Mechanicsville, VA Kent State University

Randolph Memorial Baptist Church Madison Heights, VA Christopher Newport University

Derbyshire Baptist Church Richmond, VA Furman University

Bonsack Baptist Church Roanoke, VA University of Virginia

baptist general association of virginia

SCHOLARSHIPS & MINISTERIAL EDUCATION FUNDS

BGAV College Scholarships, continued Lydia Robertson

Annie Thompson

Cambray Walmer

Kristopher Schultz

Samuel Turner

Jacob Wright

Matthew Stretton

William Vaughan

Mount Vernon Baptist Church Glen Allen, VA Liberty University

New Prospect Baptist Church Hurt, VA Bridgewater College

Chancellor Baptist Church Fredericksburg, VA James Madison University

Round Hill Baptist Church King George, VA Auburn University

Central Baptist Church Richmond, VA Emory & Henry College

Wallers Baptist Church Partlow, VA Germanna Community College

Salem Baptist Church Fredericksburg, VA Washington and Lee University

Gayton Baptist Church Richmond, VA Virginia Tech

BGAV Ministerial Education Funds Garrett Davis

Brandon Nuckles

Austin Williams

Maurice Lewis IV

Margaret Rooney

Kristi Yeatman

Jordann McMahan

Amy Teem

Rancy Zarr

Mitchell Myers

Christie Thadikonda

Highlands Fellowship Abingdon, VA Preaching/Pastoral Gardner - Webb University

Berea Baptist Church Rockville, VA Youth Liberty University

Gayton Baptist Church Short Pump, VA Preaching/Pastoral Truett Theological Seminary

Emmaus Baptist Church Poquoson, VA Youth Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Green Valley Baptist church Lebanon, VA Preaching/Pastoral Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

River Road Church, Baptist Richmond, VA Christian Education Candler School of Theology - Emory University

Immanuel Baptist Church Newport News, VA Children Dallas Theological Seminary

Mulberry Grove Baptist Church Buckingham, VA Preaching/Pastoral New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Warsaw Baptist Church Warsaw, VA Preaching/Pastoral Union Presbyterian Seminary

Lighthouse International Church Richmond, VA Preaching/Pastoral Union Presbyterian Seminary

Richmond’s First Baptist Church Richmond, VA Preaching/Pastoral Union Presbyterian Seminary

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

For more information, visit BGAV.org/Scholarships

APPLY NOW FOR: BGAV Academy Scholarships BGAV College Scholarships BGAV Ministerial Education Funds Nontraditional Ministry Education Scholarships Church Internship Grants

your future

awaits

Applications Open in January!

BGAV.org/Scholarships Application Deadline: April 1, 2024 baptist general association of virginia

SCHOLARSHIPS & MINISTERIAL EDUCATION FUNDS

NORTHEASTERN SEMINARY AND MISSIO ALLIANCE TO LAUNCH “FAMILIAS UNIDAS”

by Missio Alliance

Missio Alliance, in partnership with Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan University, will use a $1.225 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to launch “Familias Unidas,” an initiative aimed at coming alongside Christian parents and caregivers from marginalized communities as they support their children in their formational journey. “Familias Unidas” will primarily support congregations by curating theologically robust, culturally attuned, and community-driven resources that will consider the unique assets and challenges that Latino/a families embody.

“Missio Alliance is delighted to have the opportunity to partner with Northeastern Seminary on this pivotal project for the Latina/o community. Our values for ministry at the intersection of formation, justice and mission along with our commitment to culturally-attuned, theologically-robust resources for and from communities on the margins creates the ideal opportunity for this significant collaboration. We foresee great Kingdom fruit as we forge and deepen this partnership,” says Lisa RodriguezWatson, National Director of Missio Alliance.

Northeastern Seminary received the grant from Lilly Endowment through its Christian Parenting and Caregiving Initiative. The aim of the national initiative is to help organizations support parents and other caregivers as they share their faith and values with their children.

Gaby Viesca, Director of Strategy & Partnerships at Missio Alliance states, “I am really looking forward to partnering with Northeastern Seminary and finding pathways to listen to, equip, and empower Latino/a families throughout the United States.

It‘s exciting to see entire programs dedicated to historically marginalized communities and I can’t wait to see all the good work that comes out of this collaboration. It’s a new day for both Missio Alliance and Northeastern Seminary, and I anticipate a strong and fruitful partnership between our organizations.”

Missio Alliance will draw on its experience of centering theological reflection and spiritual practices of historically marginalized Christian communities in North America. Missio Alliance will harness its connection to churches, pastors, Christian writers, and theological practitioners – especially Latino pastors, authors, and ministers – to assist with listening, learning, designing and implementing a uniquely Latino/a catechesis for first- and second-generation families.

If you lead a Latino church, especially a Spanish-speaking congregation, and are interested in learning more about Familias Unidas, contact Lisa Rodriguez-Watson at lisa.watson@missioalliance.org.

Northeastern Seminary is excited to bring to bear its decadeslong focus on spiritual formation and robust academic training of pastors to launch Familias Unidas for the sake of strengthening family- centered discipleship for Latino Christian families.

Together, we will come alongside parents and caregivers to nurture healthy relationships with their children and support their spiritual formation.

Dr. Ben Espinoza, Vice President of Northeastern Seminary, says, “I am thrilled that Northeastern Seminary has the opportunity to partner with Missio Alliance on such an important project. Spiritual formation has been a core value of the Seminary since its inception 25 years ago, and we are excited to extend this commitment to the broader Latino/a community.”

For more information, visit MissioAlliance.org 17

LATEST MINISTRY JOBS •

Pastor, First Baptist Church, Ridgeway, VA

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Directors of Student Ministry, First Baptist Church, Alexandria, VA

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Lead Pastor, Bon Air Baptist Church, Richmond, VA

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Pastor, McCabe Memorial Baptist Church, Martinsville, VA

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Associate Pastor of Families, Temple Church, Newport News, VA

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Accompanist/Praise Team Leader, Walnut Grove Baptist Church, Mechanicsville, VA

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Student Minister Buchanan Baptist Church, Buchanan, VA

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Senior Pastor, New Hope Baptist Church, Appomattox, VA

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Pastor, Sunny Hills Church, Wytheville, VA

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Worship Pastor, Poplar Springs Baptist Church, Henrico, VA

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Administrative Assistant/Church Secretary, Mount View Baptist Church, Charlottesville, VA

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Church Secretary, Mount View Baptist Church, Charlottesville, VA

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Pastor, Triangle Baptist Church, Triangle, VA

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Choral Director, Kilmarnock Baptist Church, Kilmarnock, VA

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Office Manager, Winfree Church, Midlothian, VA

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Prison Chaplain, GraceInside, Henrico, VA

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Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Richmond, Virginia Permit No. 1038

Baptist General Association of Virginia 2828 Emerywood Parkway Henrico, VA 23294

November 13-15, 2023 Bon Air Baptist Church, Richmond, VA

BGAV Annual Meeting and 200th Anniversary Celebration

Get your commemorative ornament at the meeting!

To celebrate our 200th anniversary this year, we are in Richmond - where it all began in 1823. Our theme for this special celebration is “Called to Be.” We hope you will join us this year as we commemorate 200 years of “being” and look toward our future together!

REGISTER NOW!

$20 per ornament Ornaments will be on sale in the Ministry Fair near registration at the annual meeting

For more details, visit Meeting.BGAV.org