Issuu

VOL 6, ISSUE 1

SPRING 2021

View photos from BGAV Disaster Response’s latest response, serving frontline workers at a mass vaccination event // pg 7

The New Abnormal Learn more about how Impact is adapting to the future of hands-on mission camps 12

Serving in a Covid World

Preparing Now for What’s Ahead

BGAV pastors reflect on experiences of pastoring through a pandemic

Read ways that your church can prepare for future needs

ARE YOU PREPARED MENTALLY FOR THE POST-COVID WORLD? by John Upton JOHN UPTON is the Executive Director of the BGAV.

It will take years to comprehend, much less understand, all that we have experienced in the past year. The year has been far more surreal than anyone could have predicted, and it has generated more than its share of anxiety over huge issues like a pandemic, politics, racism, sexuality, and economics—just to name a few. So I was attentive when I heard someone recently say these words, “I have now come to feel that there is hardly anything more radically mean and deteriorating than sulking through the inevitable.” I was attentive, because I have done my share of sulking in recent months.

real and painful, isn’t that like shutting our eyes, shutting our ears, and saying, “La, la, la, la!” It feels like escaping to my happy place and singing along with Monty Python, “Always look on the bright side of life.” Let me be clear: this is not what is being said. This is not an invitation to live in denial of realities that are scary, ugly, and painful. No, we are to be unblinkingly honest about tragedy, suffering, pain, and evil. We are to be honest about the grief we bear in our lives. The call is not to turn our own thoughts away from these but rather to remain in full awareness of them.

What an expression, “sulking through the inevitable!” More simply put, we have no choice about current circumstances, but we do have a choice about how we think as we go through them. And how we think will make all the difference in who we become when it passes. It matters where our mind has its home.

When we think on what is true and honorable and just and pure and lovely and full of excellence and worthy of praise, do you see what that might mean in a world like this? These words are not “positive thinking;” these words are visionary. When we are commanded to take our minds off what is trivial, to renounce unworthy thinking, cheap thinking—that is action. Thought itself is action, and the movement of a mind may reach further than we ever imagined.

... we have no choice about current circumstances, but we do have a choice about how we think as we go through them. Paul agrees with that and says, “Think on these things.” What things? When I look at his list it is surprising, because not one of those words is especially religious. Some of the words he uses do not appear anywhere else in the New Testament. They are common words used by artists and philosophers. Something else about these words, each one has a cluster of meaning which no single English word can capture. Paul points us to where our thoughts might best be.

To think on what is true is to see more clearly what is false. To think on what is just is to powerfully oppose what is not. To let our minds find their home in what is lovely and pure and pleasing and noble and worthy of praise is to want to be more and more united with that. We will want to be practitioners of that and become God’s faithful children of that in the world. What we fix the gaze of our minds upon deeply is what we become.

“Whatever is true, whatever is real, whatever is right and just, honorable, noble, morally good, or pure and pleasing, or lovely or lovable, whatever is commendable, attractive, winsome, gracious, if there is any excellence or virtue, anything that can be spoken well of or admired or praised, think about that!”

Are you prepared mentally for the Post-Covid world, or are you just sulking your way through it? Join me in listening to the music that takes you to the depths and the heights. Reflect on the words that speak deep truth to you, especially in scripture. Make a place for silence in your life, absorb the beauty of nature, consider the face—even masked—of a friend, and say your prayers. Think of Christ, who will be in each of these places with you. Let him speak to you through these moments. When he bids you to think on these things, that is when you will begin to become these things. That will be the joy and peace that passes all understanding.

That is less a list and more like a big diamond held up to the light and slowly turned—every facet of it flashing its beautiful colors. That, says Paul, is where our minds should be. There was a time I would have been tempted to say something like, “Isn’t that escapism?” With all that has happened that is 2

// pg 7 4 // BGAV News & Notes 6 // A Letter from the BGAV President 7 // Serving the Frontline 11 // East End Baptist Church Ministers to Community by Hosting a Covid Vaccination Clinic

12 // The New Abnormal 14 // Pastoring During a Pandemic 16 // Disaster Response: Preparing Now for What Lies Ahead 19 // Latest Ministry Jobs

BGAV Advancing the Kingdom Together

ISSN 2573-5101 (print) ISSN 2573-511X (online)

A publication of the Baptist General Association of Virginia Volume 6, Issue 1 Spring 2021 BGAV Express is published quarterly by the Baptist General Association of Virginia, 2828 Emerywood Parkway, Henrico, VA 23294.

Send subscription requests and address changes to: Jennifer Law jennifer.law@bgav.org 800.255.2428, ext. 1223 BGAV Express Baptist General Association of Virginia 2828 Emerywood Parkway Henrico, VA 23294 toll-free 800.255.2428 Or visit BGAV.org/Express.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: John V. Upton, Jr. CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER: Gary M. Long, Jr. BGAV EXPRESS EDITOR: Jennifer Law ART DIRECTOR: Meghan Wilson

NEWS + NOTES Music and Worship Arts Camp Cancelled for Summer 2021

Scott and Chelsea Anderson Named New Baptist Campus Ministers at JMU

The planning committee for the Music and Worship Arts Camp (MWAC) at Eagle Eyrie has made the difficult decision to cancel this summer’s event, which had been scheduled for July 12-16, 2021.

The Kairos Initiative Collegiate/ Young Adult team is excited to welcome Scott and Chelsea Anderson as our new full-time campus ministers at James Madison University. Scott and Chelsea have been a part of the Kairos team for nearly eight years, serving the campuses of Old Dominion University, Scott and Chelsea Anderson Christopher Newport University, and most recently the staff team of the Virginia Tech BCM. They bring to JMU a wealth of experience, a passion for discipling college students and young adults, and a dream for the future of the ministry at JMU.

We have learned a lot about Covid-19 throughout this past year. We have witnessed God’s power and mercies as strides have been made to combat this virus in the form of mitigation strategies, therapies, and vaccines. Even with these advancements, there are still safety protocols that are necessary for us to protect one another. Unfortunately, these measures would not allow our camp to proceed in a meaningful way that stays true to our camp’s main mission: to explore the arts of communal worship of our creative God.

Scott commented, “Chelsea and I look ahead to our move to Harrisonburg with great excitement and expectation about what God has in store for the JMU students, the community, and our family. We can’t wait to start walking with students and sharing Christ with them, inviting them to live life together with us and our three little children. We covet your prayers as we begin this journey!”

The planning committee, however, is excited for MWAC at Eagle Eyrie to return in July 2022! We are currently making plans to offer the best camp possible, and there are two things everyone can do to help. First, if you use social media, we ask you to take the time to share your memories and reminders of past camps. Throughout this year, and especially during the month of July, share how God was moving and working during those moments.

“Scott and Chelsea are gifted and well-equipped ministers who are ready to embrace the opportunity to lead the JMU ministry into the next season of faithfulness and fruitfulness,” said Welford Orrock, Kairos Initiative coordinator. “I am so thankful that the Lord has placed this call on their hearts, I am thankful for the ways that they will bless the JMU and Harrisonburg community, and I am thankful that they will continue to be an influential part of our Kairos team!”

Second, the planning committee is compiling a survey to send at the end of this summer. When you receive the survey, please prayerfully complete and return it. Let the planning committee know what will be most meaningful and helpful for your church and your campers!

Please join us in welcoming Scott and Chelsea to this new ministry role and for praying for the Andersons as they wrap up their final semester on staff with the VT BCM and begin the hard work of moving their family to a new town and launching a new ministry.

BGAV Staff News

In February, Beth Barth moved into the position of Administrative Assistant for the Support Ministries Team in the business office. She had previously worked part time as one of our Receptionists, so you likely know her already. Please join us in welcoming Beth to her new role!

For more BGAV news, visit BGAV.org/News Beth Barth

Event Calendar

Complete list of events at BGAV.org/Events

May 2 6 9 20 20 27 31

LifeSpire of Virginia Day National Day of Prayer Mother’s Day Church Financial Administration Seminar, Henrico, VA Empower Coaching Coaches’ Conversation Virginia Baptist Executive Board Memorial Day

June

4–5 WMUV RA Event, Doswell, VA 13–14 National WMU Missions Celebration & Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN 13–16 Southern Baptist Convention, Nashville, TN 14–19 WMUV Co-ed Summer Camp, Lowesville, VA 17 Empower Coaching Coaches’ Conversation 20 HopeTree Family Services 20 Father’s Day 20–25 Camp Piankatank Boy’s Week, Hartfield, VA 20–26 Impact Roanoke 20–26 Impact Bridges for Hope in Bluefield 21–26 WMUV Co-ed Summer Camp, Lowesville, VA 25–27 Camp Piankatank Mini Camp, Hartfield, VA 27–7/2 Camp Piankatank Girl’s Week, Hartfield, VA 27–7/3 Virginia Baptist Heritage Week 28–7/3 WMUV Co-ed Summer Camp, Lowesville, VA

WE ARE OPEN & READY TO HELP!

July

4 5–10 11–16 11–17 12–17 15 16–18 18–23 19–23 22–24 25–30 25–30 25–31 30–8/1

Independence Day WMUV Girls’ Week Summer Camp, Lowesville, VA Camp Piankatank Co-ed Week #1, Hartfield, VA Impact Chesterfield WMUV Co-ed Summer Camp, Lowesville, VA Empower Coaching Coaches’ Conversation Camp Piankatank Father/Son Weekend, Hartfield, VA Camp Piankatank Youth Week, Hartfield, VA Missions Connection Celebration (MC2), Lynchburg, VA WMUV CrossRoads Adventure Days, Lowesville, VA Camp Piankatank Co-ed Week #2, Hartfield, VA WMUV Week at Standing Rock Impact Eastern Shore Camp Piankatank Mother/Daughter Weekend, Hartfield, VA

August 1 7

Developmental Disabilities Ministry Day Church Weekday Education Conference, Richmond, VA 15 Collegiate Ministries Emphasis Day 19 Empower Coaching Coaches’ Conversation 30–9/1 Empower Coaching Training: Foundations of Christian Coaching (fast-track training)

What a Capital Stewardship Campaign Can Do for Your Church The Benefits of Partnering with Capital Stewardship Services

Capital Stewardship Services (CSS) was created by the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) in the mid-1990s to meet the requests for a capital fundraising program uniquely designed for medium and smaller-sized congregations. While capital campaign principles and methods are similar across the board, CSS emphasizes several unique benefits: • CSS is a part of the BGAV family and is accountable to the BGAV. • CSS consultants have experience in BGAV churches and understand their uniqueness. • CSS consultants are nearby and committed to walking with churches through every step of the campaign. • CSS seeks not only to help churches raise funds but also to grow Christian stewards. • CSS is committed to work with churches of all sizes and to provide a quality service at an affordable cost.

LET’S BUILD

Capital Stewardship Services

Development Office • Baptist General Association of Virginia 800.255.2428, ext. 1270 • capitalstewardship@bgav.org

TOGETHER

A LETTER FROM THE BGAV PRESIDENT by Adam Tyler A year. A year of our lives. A year unlike any we’ve ever experienced before. A year hopefully unlike any we will ever see again. As I write this in early March 2021, I reflect on what the last year has revealed…about me. At times, I have been despondent, cynical, or even rebellious. I chafed under restrictions even as I trusted the science and kept not just my welfare, but the welfare of the people around me and the flock of God under my charge, at the forefront of my mind. I complained when the drive-thru line at McDonald’s was too long (because nobody could go inside), and I grumbled when my child’s school delayed reopening after Christmas break because of the spike of Covid-19 cases in our area. I despaired and, at times, grew angry when I saw the antagonism in my own community and in my virtual community, as important conversations–public health, racial justice, fiscal responsibility, truth itself–became political firestorms that damaged or even destroyed relationships. It has been a hard year, and sometimes I chose to respond to the difficulties in less-than-helpful ways.

ADAM TYLER is the 2021 BGAV President.

I have talked with many Virginia Baptists over the past year, mostly at a distance through Zoom, phone calls, emails, or social media. I have heard great stories of God at work in our churches and our communities. But I have also heard more stories than I’d care to admit of how relationships have been damaged, churches hurt, ministries derailed, and communities divided. The reality around the people involved in both sets of tales were the same. What was the difference between the two types of stories? How they chose to look at the world—and how they chose to respond in their circumstances.

At other times, I have been overjoyed. I saw our congregation, my friends and family, largely live out their love for one another by taking the pandemic seriously. Our church, like many others in our BGAV family, turned to new tools for ministry and new avenues of worship engagement with a sense of Christlike adventure and a can-do attitude. I experienced deep gratitude for the people in my life who showed a renewed concern for the people around them in need. I had many moments of deep contentment as my young family, during several periods of increased isolation, drew closer together over nature hikes, board games, and stacks of children’s books; there was a bubble of family togetherness that has been precious. These were the moments that I chose to respond with a heart open to thanksgiving.

The apostle Paul wrote what many scholars think is the earliest New Testament writing that we have—1 Thessalonians—to a people wrestling with many challenges. Not least among their concerns was a deep sense of grief over brothers and sisters in Christ who had died before Christ returned. Paul wrote to encourage their faith, even as he fully expected there to be more trouble ahead. As he closed his letter to the Thessalonian Christians, he urged them:

As I reflect on this, I realize that the reality I lived in didn’t change between the two responses. Covid-19 was still running rampant through our society, social unrest and political conflict still coarsened our public discourse, and the anxieties and legitimate worries of life continued. Yet in how I chose to respond, I shaped my own experience of the past year, a shaping that affected my relationships with God, family, church, and friends.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thes. 5:16-18) The perspective of Christian hope, which Paul describes here, changes how we live through moments of crisis—for the better. The choice to live that perspective is ours. Which will we choose?

Beginning in January 2021, the Henrico County Health Department hosted a largescale vaccination clinic at the Richmond Raceway. BGAV’s Disaster Response volunteers served meals to the healthcare workers, security and emergency management personnel, and other critical workers on site at the clinic. Turn the page to read more about this critical response.

A clinic worker shows gratitude to the Disaster Response volunteers working the feeding station.

As the first Covid-19 vaccines became available to individuals across the Commonwealth of Virginia, BGAV Disaster Response volunteers began doing their part to take care of the medical and emergency personnel who are administering the immunizations. Starting January 19, the Henrico County Health Department began a large-scale vaccination clinic for those currently eligible, held at the Richmond Raceway. BGAV’s Disaster Response volunteers served meals to the healthcare workers, security and emergency management personnel, and other critical workers on site at the clinic.

Emergency and medical personnel who administered the immunizations were among the workers given meals.

For more than 50 years BGAV Disaster Response has helped communities in need during times of crisis, working with partners in those communities and local/state government agencies. “Because we have worked closely with local agencies and established ourselves as reliable partners in the past, they trust us to join them for important responses like this one,” explains Glenn Maddox, BGAV’s national missions director.

A clinic worker leaves the feeding station with his meal.

“Henrico County officials were elated when they learned the BGAV would handle the meals for the next several weeks, enabling them to focus solely on delivering the shots,” commented Executive Director, John Upton. “I am very grateful for the trusted relationships our DR staff has built with local authorities.” “Our mission is to mobilize volunteers to meet human needs after a disaster,” Maddox added. “In this case, we are providing meals to the people who have the specialized skills to meet the specific need of the community, enabling them to do their jobs better.” He added that this response will also allow implementation and evaluation of the Covid-19 protocols they developed for disaster response at the beginning of the pandemic, and it will provide hands-on training for some new DR volunteers.

“Henrico County officials were elated when they learned the BGAV would handle the meals for the next several weeks, enabling them to focus solely on delivering the shots. I am very grateful for the trusted relationships our DR staff has built with local authorities.”

BGAV’s DR volunteers come from all kinds of backgrounds and have varied skills and abilities—some have experience in food service or other related fields, and some have no training at all until they do the work—but all come with a desire and willingness to serve others. They come to these roles from many different BGAV churches, working together in the name of Christ.

John Upton BGAV Executive Director

Volunteers await the lunch crowd of frontline workers during the first week of the vaccination event. A volunteer unloads supplies for food preparation.

Within a few hours of their initial callout, more than 40 individuals signed up to serve, and more are adding their names to the list every day. “We are seeing people who have been wanting to ‘do something’ for some time,” said Maddox, “… people who have felt powerless in the face of the pandemic and have been aching to do something to offer hope to people who are struggling.” He explained that typically, disaster response involves a large group of people who aren’t affected by the disaster coming together to help others who are—and they travel to a different location. During the pandemic, however, large groups of assembled volunteers aren’t advisable, and this disaster has touched everyone in our area. “I’m glad we can be a part of providing this essential service to our community while also offering an opportunity for individuals and churches to offer hope in this critical way.”

BGAV Mission Development Coordinator Dean Miller checks in with Kristen Curtis, BGAV Disaster Response volunteer coordinator, and Mikayla Barnes, BGAV Mission Development communications and volunteer coordinator. 9

From top: Volunteers set up the meal prep station for the day’s service; BGAV Disaster Response members gather with other volunteers to discuss tasks; Frontline workers wait patiently in line as Disaster Response volunteers serve them food.

Note: Statistics accurate as of April 15, 2021. For more information, visit BGAVDR.org

East End Baptist Church Ministers to Community by Hosting a Covid Vaccination Clinic East End Baptist Church in Suffolk, VA, recently partnered with their local health district to serve as a local vaccine distribution site on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. BGAV’s Gary Long and Jennifer Law interviewed their senior pastor, Wayne Faison, about how the church got involved to make a difference in their community by hosting a vaccination clinic. “It went above and beyond our wildest dreams in terms of our connection to the community--the benefits and the role that we play in the larger community as a partner. It was certainly a God thing,” explained Faison. East End spent a lot of 2020 facing the challenges of the pandemic, much like all churches did last year. In 2021, they started discussing and making known the fact that they really wanted to help people and lift people up. “We got the word out to the community that East End stands ready to help in any way we can,” said Faison.

The church members weren’t expecting anything in return for their efforts, but they found they had tremendous opportunity to connect with their community by serving people who otherwise would never have come through their doors. One guest commented, “I’ve passed this church so many times and never have come in, but I’m going to come back now.” Another said, “Had it not been for your church, we’d still be waiting for our vaccines.”

Faison preached a sermon on doing acts of community, generosity, spirituality, and advocacy as they sought to connect with their community. After that message, their state delegate called Faison to ask if the church would be willing to serve as a vaccination site, because their local health department had Covid-related limitations on their facility.

Faison said, “At the end of the day, they vaccinated 1,017 people--a number significant to us because we opened our new building on October 17 (10/17) three years ago. We saw this as an affirmation of what we were doing that day.” He added, “Being hospitable and showing the love of Christ was a wonderful opportunity for others to see our church in this way.” By opening their sanctuary as the waiting area for vaccinated individuals to stay the required 15 minutes, they were able to show slides and play worship music for people to enjoy. Several guests commented about how meaningful and helpful it was to experience such peace, rest, and solitude in that way while they waited.

The church leadership immediately began to explore and pray about the opportunity, and within two weeks, they put plans in place and followed through. Logistics included a visit from health department personnel to ensure their facility had what it needed, since there had to be not only a place to administer the vaccines but also a place for people to wait in line--plus a large waiting area where people could stay 15 minutes after their vaccines to ensure they didn’t have adverse reactions. Once the health officials were assured of those requirements, the church went to work enlisting the volunteers needed to help with the effort.

“People were excited to be here; they were so ready to get their vaccines, so our volunteers got to spend their time just offering hospitality,” Faison explained. “For years to come, people all over western Tidewater will remember East End as the church who did this for their community--who offered help when it was needed.”

“The health department brought everything in that they needed; we just had to stay out of the way at that point,” recalled Faison. “There was no cost to us at all, and it worked well for us to provide our building for this, since we aren’t using it on a daily basis like we typically did before the pandemic.”

The church followed up with a second-dose clinic on March 10. 11

As part of 2020’s camp, daily devotions were livestreamed online for participants to view. Other online resources were also available.

BY GLENN MADDOX

THE NEW ABNORMAL FAMILY HAS BECOME THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING – ENGAGING FAMILY IS GOING TO BE KEY

Almost since the pandemic began, we’ve been hoping for the day things get back to some semblance of normal. Even while longing for what used to be, we’ve slowly adapted the way we do everything. Dining out has become carryout, movies out have become movies in, and the home has become the center of the universe. Those who have adapted the best have done so by creating new experiences—restaurants offer complete experiences that you can prepare and share at home, streaming services offer first-run films and a watch party feature so you can still share the experience with those you love. They have embraced the new reality and created something new rather than just hoping the old will come back soon. There’s a lot to learn from that. We can suffer through—holding on until we can get back to normal, or we can accept that the old isn’t coming back and move forward to what is next.

Family has become the center of ministry. We’ve long wanted to make family units much more central to our ministry, but now that it’s a reality, we have to figure out how to harness that potential. Mission opportunities are going to need to engage the entire family. This means we’ll need to know our own strengths and seek mission opportunities that fit well with those strengths. The devotional elements of a mission experience need to offer a chance for the whole family to reflect together. Worship related to a mission trip needs to give kids and parents a chance to feel part of the experience. Like the best children or youth-led worship services, worship will need to engage the entire family.

PEOPLE WILL BE VERY DISCERNING ABOUT HOW THEY RETURN TO NORMAL

MISSION TRIPS ARE GOING TO BE MORE LOCAL, BUT CAN STILL BE TRANSFORMATIONAL

People have gotten comfortable with how things are now, and many won’t be returning to the old way of doing things once that is considered safe again. Focusing on attendance will lead to a lot of discouragement – we have to focus on how we can engage people where they are and where they’re willing and able to go. Mission opportunities in particular will take a new way of thinking. Service will tend to be a lot more local. Local relationships to organizations that minister to people in need are key to establishing good mission opportunities. Individuals and families may be less likely to be able to give their time regularly, so long-term relationships will involve relationships between a church and an organization. Mobilizing individual volunteers as part of the church’s overall mission will help those long-term relationships thrive.

With summer approaching, some of our intense, week-long experiences (mission trips, Bible school, etc), we’ve got to give a new focus to those weeks – invest in them with the other 51 weeks in mind. One of the things students hear at Impact camps is that this week-long mission experience isn’t their only or even their main opportunity to do mission – it’s the pep rally that gets them excited for the big game – a lifetime of mission. These intensive experiences give us a chance to separate from regular life and focus on what God is calling us to, how we can be part of the mission, and how we can expand our view of the world to be part of God’s work in it. Of course, we also are serving others, and we have to focus first on making sure that the way we help actually helps - that we 12

During a typical year, Impact participants would spend a week doing on-site mission work as a group—something that wasn’t permitted during the height of the pandemic. During summer 2020, churches provided smaller group activities for campers.

that focuses on helping groups understand their own strengths and place in their community, reflect on their place in God’s mission and what God is calling them to do, and offers worship that engages the family or your group together. If you need help developing the mission projects you engage in, we’ll be available to help with construction assistance, connections to ministry partners in your area, and training for whatever new endeavors you may want to try.

empower the people we serve and value their contribution as well. But along with that, we want to ensure that the experience teaches us about ourselves, God’s mission, and the ways we can be part of that. People may not be ready to do mission trips (or Bible school) the way we used to, even if we’re back to “normal”. So we can lament the loss or create new opportunities for our kids and their families to serve and grow together this year. Maximizing the week-long experience will involve an intentional approach before, during, and after the project. For those who are able to do in-person mission trips with travel, this will likely mean more preparation than usual and smaller groups (especially in camp settings). For those not quite ready to travel and serve, it will involve a lot of extra work to create safe environments for service and opportunities for community with a focus on family engagement.

This summer’s mission trip, no matter what form it takes, will look different than the past. Join us and make this one week of mission this summer, whatever form it takes, an investment in the other 51 weeks of the year. Glenn Maddox is BGAV’s National Mission Director.

This year, Impact is planning in-person camps again, which will allow groups to come together and serve God through home repair and restoration for those in need. It will surely look different, and we’ll be working with those who join us on exactly what that will look like. For those who want to serve but aren’t sure they’ll be ready to travel yet, we want to help you create a life-changing mission experience at home and in your local community. Our virtual camp this year will be an experience

For more information, visit ImpactMissionCamps.org

PAST PASTO O RING DURING A PANDEMIC Pastoring during a pandemic. It isn’t something taught in seminary.

hope emerged as they spoke of things they’ve learned and witnessed in their congregations.

Yet it’s what all pastors around the world have been challenged with doing for more than a whole year in 2020 and 2021, and it’s the reality they continue to face at the time of this writing.

These ministers shared openly about their struggles and successes—both to support and encourage each other and also to highlight new ideas and ways of doing ministry that will likely shape their churches for many years to come.

And while no pastor would likely say they’d choose to go through this kind of thing ever again, many will admit that not everything about the past year has been negative. While there were many, many difficulties yielding sorrow, disappointment, fear, and grief, there were also areas of growth and forward thinking that brought about new ways of doing things as these churches look toward their futures.

• Todd Blake, Madison Heights Baptist Church, Madison Heights, VA • Scott Curtis, Heritage Baptist Church, Farmville, VA • Jonathan Hillard, Moffett Memorial Baptist Church, Danville, VA • Erica Motley, Moffett Memorial Baptist Church, Danville, VA • Wyatt Miles, Monte Vista Baptist Church, Hurt, VA • Greg Randall, Clarksville Baptist Church, Clarksville, VA • Adam Tyler, Grace Hills Baptist Church, Appomattox, VA

During the month of February, nearly one year out from the onset of life and church changes necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic, Tony Brooks, BGAV field strategist for the Southside region, held Zoom conferences with several pastors. The discussion and their comments revealed exhaustion and frustration, for sure—but notes of

CHALLENGES & DIFFICULTIES “We had to redefine how to do pastoral care. Processing grief and loss with families when they couldn’t have proper funerals or memorial services was incredibly hard.

“We learned to do funerals outdoors, and we bought a better sound system so we could do that even better.” - Jonathan Hilliard

Limiting the number of worship leaders on the platform for so long has shown us how we need to open that up once we are fully back in person. I look forward to including more people leading worship once it’s safe to do that again.

“Throughout this time while we’ve been online and also doing limited in-person worship, we’ve lost some people who wanted to go somewhere that was more fully open in person.

We know that it will probably be a long time before everyone feels comfortable attending corporate worship in person, and many people have found online worship participation to be meaningful and fulfilling. So I think we’ll see a redefining in what it means to be a part of a church family. People who attend online are definitely part of that family, but we need to understand that better.” - Adam Tyler 14

We’ve [also] lost people to death and haven’t been able to mourn our losses fully during this time—we haven’t gotten to grieve.” - Scott Curtis “We’ve been using only prerecorded music, and I really miss singing in person.” - Wyatt Miles

AREAS OF GROWTH & HOPE “We polled parents and learned that Zooming with the kids at 2:30 on Sundays was a better time than Wednesdays. I don’t have strong enough internet at home to do that, though, so my husband and I stay at the church on Sunday and use Zoom from there in the afternoons. We held a virtual VBS the same way.” - Erica Motley

“We got a $1,000 grant from BGAV and planted a 100’ x 60’ garden, and for six weeks we provided veggies and clothing for our community.” - Scott Curtis “Medical and other trained professionals in our church have been able to share their expertise with us as we’ve had conversations about protocols and safety. We had a group of nurses who helped us discuss this early on, and one of our deacons is a trained contact tracer, so their advice was invaluable.” - Todd Blake

“We’ve discovered that more people attend consistently online than they did when we were only meeting in person in the building.” - Greg Randall “Online worship has caused us to reduce the length of our service to 35 minutes. We may not necessarily do a full hour when we return in person; we may adjust the schedule somewhat. In producing content for online worship services, we learned that we could show things from the past that we already had on video. It’s changed the way we look at worship—we can use existing footage instead of needing guest speakers.” - Jonathan Hilliard

“Taking care of each other’s health during the pandemic, by observing Covid protocols, enabled us to keep our focus on caring for each other rather than any partisanship or politics that emerged on a state or national scale.” - Adam Tyler “Just before the pandemic, we had been looking into doing online worship on Facebook Live, so we had just ordered the equipment to do that. We were able to jump right into online worship.

“We use Facebook Live for our worship services. It’s no Hollywood production by any means, but it looks professional without appearing overly produced. It’s enabled people outside our area to worship with us, so it’s really opened up our way of being able to include people in worship.

This has been a healing time for us. We’re moving forward in a good way—moving together and working on a five-year plan. We’re considering how to make it special when we do come back together fully in person.” - Scott Curtis

Patterns of attendance have [also] shown us that more kids attend our church on Wednesday nights than on Sunday mornings, so we are looking at shifting more discipleship opportunities in that direction.” - Todd Blake

“We’ve started a ‘blessing box’ where we put household items and non-perishables for anyone to pick up who may need them. Sunday School classes are taking responsibility for keeping it stocked.

“During the first months, our deacons took the opportunity to ‘up their game’ in caring for our congregation, which allowed me as pastor to address some technical challenges I was initially swamped with.

Several people from other churches where things are more in person are coming to us and attending online because they’re more comfortable with the safer format. It’s been nice to give people a place to come. I keep their pastors informed of those people, so they’ll know they’re still active in a church.

We [also] had to rethink deacon ordination—doing notes of encouragement instead of the laying on of hands—but that’s an element we’ll still keep once we go back in person. Handwritten notes are something tangible and meaningful that will last beyond the day we lay hands on newly ordained deacons.” - Adam Tyler

Livestreaming video hasn’t been a great option for us because of limited internet, but drive-up worship using FM radio has been effective. We’ve used conference calling for meetings, Sunday School, and other things. We’re planning to start doing our prayer meeting that way.” - Wyatt Miles

‘“The realization that we’re not alone is a challenge. When we are ‘back,’ the Church will be forever changed. The return to normal worship schedules will not solve our grief. In the Old Testament, when the construction of the second temple was complete, the people go into the new temple and say, ‘It’s not like the old one,’ and they weep. There needs to be some lament. And the time for dreaming what the future will look like is now.” - Greg Randall

DISASTER RESPONSE PREPARING NOW FOR

WHAT LIES AHEAD

Disaster Response volunteers help to rebuild a structure with hurricane damage in Grundy, VA

Churches such as East End Baptist Church, Suffollk, VA, served the community as a local vaccination site.

When a crisis happens, we often hear the advice Mr Rogers gave to children on his show years ago: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” We also see reminders that he offered this advice for comforting children. But as Paul reminds us, “when [we] grew up, [we] put away childish things.” There is still comfort in seeing the helpers in a crisis, but we are also called to be those helpers. When certain crises come, our churches can be a center of hope for the community, but that requires being prepared.

Baptist Disaster Response and the churches that are engaged with DR have established those kinds of relationships and have become known as an excellent partner when a community needs meals, cleanup, rebuilding, or emotional and spiritual care. That call from emergency management helps us share Christ’s love with members of a community we would never meet through our usual avenues of ministry. Knowing How to Help Fast Being ready to respond as soon as a disaster strikes means preparing and practicing the response before one happens. Incorporating the principles of disaster response into our regular ministries helps us prepare for crisis situations. Crisis care isn’t just something that we offer when a storm hits – we can also offer crisis care as part of a deacon or family ministry. Feeding a large number quickly in a disaster requires the same skills as feeding a large number of people at a church or community event. Cleaning, repairing, and rebuilding are needs that members of our community have all the time. Meeting those needs during “blue sky” times means we can also be ready to offer them quickly when a tragedy strikes.

If we want to be the helpers, to be the center of hope for our community, we need to prepare—to have the right relationships, the right training, the right resources, and the commitment to be a helper before the disaster happens. Knowing Whom to Work With When a disaster strikes, many of us feel a strong desire to help. But during a crisis, the right kind of help, coordinated by those who are trained to lead, is essential to meeting needs and not making things worse. We often see groups deploy themselves into a disaster area, and they can cause more damage or put people in danger. In a disaster, emergency management, whether local, state, or national responders, are best equipped to manage the response. Having a relationship with local emergency management and establishing ourselves as a trusted partner means that emergency managers will call upon us to help and let us show the community that the love of Christ can support them during their lowest time. Virginia

Knowing Where the Resources Are When a crisis strikes, one of the first things that happens is that resources become scarce. Grocery stores are empty or closed, and supplies for feeding, cleaning, and caring for basic needs become difficult to find. Having a number of those resources in reserve can serve us during a crisis but also ensure that we can meet the needs of an individual who 16

WAYS YOU CAN HELP

comes with a personal crisis quickly. But cleaning supplies and groceries aren’t the only resources we have. Our churches’ greatest resources are our people. Understanding what skills are present in our community of faith helps us to mobilize quickly and effectively in our wider community when disaster strikes. And those same skills – food preparation, construction knowledge, spiritual and emotional care, and management of all of these – can help us in all of our ministry endeavors, not just when a crisis happens.

USDA Summer Meal Program According to the USDA, up to 12 million children are living in households right now where they may not always have enough to eat. Summer meal sites are places where children and youth age 18 and under can receive meals in a safe environment at no cost. The meals are also available to persons over age 18 with mental or physical disabilities. Sites may be located in a variety of settings including schools, parks, community centers, libraries, churches and more. Churches that want to provide this essential service in their communities can learn more at fns.USDA.gov/sfsp/how-become-sponsor.

Decide to Respond Before a Response is Needed One of the most difficult things to do during a crisis is make decisions. Everything comes at us quickly, and the stakes feel so high that it can feel easier to do nothing rather than do the wrong thing. The key to deciding to be a helper when a disaster strikes is deciding to be a helper BEFORE the disaster strikes. Seeking buy-in from our churches before the disaster, and getting a firm commitment that we want to serve our communities is essential to deciding to be a helper during a crisis. We are called, when a person is in need to do more than say “go in peace, keep warm and well fed.” ( James 2:16). By deciding that we will show our faith by our deeds before a crisis happens, then we will be ready to respond when it does.

Raceway Vaccination Clinic The Henrico Health Department has been operating the commonwealth’s largest vaccination site since January at the Richmond Raceway, and your church can support the effort. Disaster Response volunteers have served thousands of meals and will continue to do so for months. This is a tangible opportunity to help fight the pandemic by supporting those providing vaccines to the public and an excellent way to help your church engage in mission in a safe environment providing a crucial service. Visit the BGAV Disaster Response website at BGAVDR.org for the latest updates and volunteer needs.

For the last few months, Virginia Baptist Disaster Response has been part of an ongoing feeding operation at the Richmond Raceway, providing meals to hundreds of workers and volunteers who are providing Covid vaccines (read more about this starting on page 8). This opportunity came about because we had the ability to do what was needed and a relationship with the local health departments. They knew they could come to us and we were committed to serving. Preparation and relationship led to the ability to serve.

Hosting a Vaccination Site While vaccines are being distributed primarily through larger sites, there is a need, especially in rural communities for more sites, closer to the people who need the vaccine. Your church can host a temporary vaccine satellite clinic to bring access to COVID vaccines directly to your community, in a familiar location for community members who are not able to travel to the larger sites. You can learn more and join the effort at CDC.gov/vaccines/hcp/admin/mass-clinic-activities.

We certainly can’t anticipate every disaster that comes. And the crises we experience will still be scary times for us, our children, and our communities. But we as churches can prepare. If your church wants to be the helpers in your community – the center of the community when a disaster strikes, we’d like to invite you to prepare with us. Virginia Baptist Disaster Response is offering a disaster vision course to help you establish a team that can be the helpers when a disaster strikes and can extend that help to the rest of the community even when the crisis has passed. We’ll explore and develop the gifts you have in your community and help you establish the relationships and plans to help you respond – within your church, in your community, and beyond as you’ll be able to deploy when disaster strikes other communities as well. You can also help the effort to overcome the pandemic by supporting local vaccination efforts. We are called to be a light in the darkness. Once we prepare and commit to serving our communities, then when people are in crisis, looking to the helpers, they will find us there ready to help them feel safe again.

Alma Hunt Offering Grants The Alma Hunt 2020 offering was devoted to “meeting real needs in real time”—providing funds from the BGAV’s portion of the offering in the form of grants to churches that respond to the Covid pandemic. Two of the greatest real-time needs in the pandemic are mass vaccination and feeding those without enough to eat. Churches that engage in one of these responses can receive significant startup grant funds from the 2020 Alma Hunt Offering. Visit the Alma Hunt website for grant information and to apply: AlmaHunt.org/apply/. Manassas Baptist Church in Manassas, VA, used their Alma Hunt grant to help them reach the local community by distributing fresh food boxes and hosting monthly neighborhood gatherings for children.

Glenn Maddox is BGAV’s National Mission Director. For more information, visit BGAVDR.org 17

MINISTRY TRAINING

Master of Divinity | MA in Christian Ministry

FAITH & VOCATION

MA in Faith & Leadership Formation

divinity.campbell.edu

LATEST MINISTRY JOBS • PT Children’s Ministry Director @ Chesterfield Baptist Church, Moseley, VA • PT Pastor – Bivocational @ Tar Wallet Baptist, Cumberland, VA • Minister to Experienced Adults @ First Baptist Church of Huntsville, AL • Director of Operations and Finance @ St John Baptist Church, Columbia, MD • Director of Communication @ Richmond’s First Baptist Church, Richmond, VA • Director, Bayside Baptist Weekday Preschool @ Bayside Baptist Church, Virginia Beach, VA • Worship Leader @ Friendship Baptist Church RVA, Chesterfield, VA

• Youth & Communications Minister @ The Baptist Church of Beaufort, Beaufort, SC

• PT Youth Pastor/Director @ Friendship Baptist Church RVA, Chesterfield, VA

• PT Beach Worship Song Leader @ Zoar Baptist Church, Deltaville, VA

• PT Minister of Music and Worship @ Jackson Memorial Baptist Church, Chesapeake, VA

• PT Bivocational Pastor @ Nash’s Chapel Baptist Church, Clintwood, VA

• Food Service Director @ Richmond’s First Baptist Church, Richmond, VA

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The offering provides funding for many special ministries, outreach projects, and initiatives not funded through regular streams of giving, but uniquely connected to Virginia Baptists through WMUV and BGAV. THIS YEAR’S OFFERING FUNDS WILL ASSIST WITH: • Missions- and leadership-focused events • Summer camp opportunities • Camp scholarships • Church planting opportunities • On-site mission projects • BGAV Disaster Response efforts • Services including medical needs, food supplies, and other necessities for people groups throughout the state, country, and world • Support of Venturer missionaries serving throughout the world • Chaplain training and ministry opportunities • Ministry support for deaf and disabled people groups When you give to the Alma Hunt Offering for Virginia Missions, you are equipping those who seek to share with others how God has set them free to live and serve. Donate today at AlmaHunt.org!

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The annual Virginia missions offering is a joint venture of Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia (WMUV) and the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV).