BGAV Express - Summer 2023

VOL 8, ISSUE 2

SUMMER 2023

BGAV Executive Office and Executive Board issue a statement of re-affirmation of our Baptist heritage, focusing on historic principles of church autonomy // pg 8

who we are AS VIRGINIA BAPTISTS Rural Church Renewal

Fresh Expressions hosts summit for helping rural churches thrive

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“Thinking Partners” in Ministry

Empower Coaching Network offers training and resources for ministry coaches 10

Reaching the Digital World for Christ Digital Church Proficiency Workshops offer trends and tips for digital outreach 14

WE ARE RIGHT WHERE WE BELONG

by Wayne Faison

WAYNE FAISON is the Executive Director of BGAV.

a few months at BGAV, I was invited to be the main conference preacher at the 88th Annual Session of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention in Monrovia, Liberia, at the First Baptist Church of Oldest Congo Town. When I arrived, the first words out of the mouths of the church leaders that hosted me were “Thank you for coming!” So, here I was thinking that I was “going” to Liberia, when in actuality, I was “coming” to Liberia.

There are seasons in life when God situates and positions us in a specific place to make an impactful difference in the world. Such was the case for Abram in Genesis 12:1-3. God told Abram if he would go to a place that He showed him, then it would be in that place where He would cause Abram to have the greatest impact.

In other words, it was God who was placing Abram right where he belonged. Genesis 12:4 tells us, “So Abram went, as the Lord had told him.”

Interestingly, this word “went” used in this verse could have just as easily been transliterated from the original Hebrew into the English word “came.” Utilizing the word “came” in this verse rather than the word “went” provides a broader perspective on how God may have been working in Abram’s life. Could it be that “Abram came, as the Lord had told him?”

Twenty-two years ago, God moved my family and me from Ocala, Florida, to Richmond, Virginia, to serve on staff at the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV). During some of my initial visits with various BGAV pastors, churches, and church leaders across the Commonwealth, I quickly realized that God had situated and positioned me in this specific place to make an impactful difference in the world. In 2002, after only

Fast forwarding to 2023: Although I have ministered in Virginia for over two decades now, for those who were born in Virginia, I am often still considered as a “come here.” Early in my ministerial career here in the Commonwealth, I would often view such a label as a slight snub. But now I have learned to embrace such a label as a term of endearment. Why? Because I truly believe that God has placed me right where I belong. I find these words also as words of encouragement for local church pastors and leaders who have been called to their respective local communities and contexts. I firmly believe that God has situated and positioned every local church pastor and leader in their specific place to make an impactful difference in the world. You are right where you belong.

When God called you, He not only called you to “go,” but just like Abram, He called you to “come.” Therefore, we celebrate with you that you not only “went” to your current place of ministry, as the Lord told you; but more so, you “came.” And trust me, you are making such an impactful difference in the world from the moment you “came” to your current local church setting. As I continue to settle into my current role as the new executive director of BGAV/Ascent, I would like to take this opportunity to tell every local church pastor and leader, “Thank you for coming!” You are right where you belong!

who we are AS VIRGINIA BAPTISTS // pg 8

IN THIS 4 // BGAV News & Notes 6 // A Weekend of Big Ideas for Small Towns 8 // Who We Are as Virginia Baptists 10 // Empower Coaching Network: Helping Others Move Forward 11 // JMU BCM Changes Building Name to Reach Community

ISSN 2573-5101 (print) ISSN 2573-511X (online) A publication of the Baptist General Association of Virginia Volume 8, Issue 2 Summer 2023 BGAV Express is published seasonally by the Baptist General Association of Virginia, 2828 Emerywood Parkway, Henrico, VA 23294.

12 // Missio Alliance Hosts Hopeful Conversation for Disruptive Times 14 // Workshops Engage Church Leaders in Digital Proficiency 17 // Gathering of Silence Offers Respite to Ministers 19 // Latest Ministry Jobs

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Or visit BGAV.org/Express.

BGAV EXPRESS EDITOR: Jennifer Law

NEWS + NOTES Staff Changes

BGAV President Ponder Celebrates Pastoral and Church Anniversary

We welcome…

• Emii Phillips, who joined the Ascent team as Executive Administrator for V3 on December 12.

• Jackie Anderson, who joined the Support Ministries team as Receptionist on January 19.

• Viesca Chavez Gaby, who joined the Ascent team as Director of Strategy and Partnerships for Missio Alliance on January 30.

• Cadance Tyler, who joined the Kairos Initiative team as the new Campus Minister for Longwood/Hampden-Sydney BCM on April 1.

• Cathy Aplin, who joined the Support Ministries team as Accountant on June 26.

We celebrate with Herbert Ponder, our president, who on Sunday, June 4, commemorated his 29th anniversary as pastor of Mount Tabor Baptist Church in Richmond! Wayne Faison, BGAV executive director, was guest minister for the occasion, which included celebrating the church’s 151st anniversary.

BGAV Commemorates Church Anniversaries

We celebrate with Rapidan Baptist Church in their 250th anniversary! Jody Faig, field strategist, presented them with a plaque on behalf of BGAV at the recent spring gathering of the Shiloh Association on May 11.

We will miss…

• Gannon Sims, who left the Ascent/Fresh Expressions US team on December 31 and is now Senior Pastor/Lead Missionary at Cliff Temple Baptist Church in Dallas, TX. • Gloria Cooley, who left the Support Ministries team on January 13.

• Austin Williams, Jonathan Knabe, and Nicholas Alley, who left the Kairos team in April, May, and June, respectively.

• Karin Goude, who left the Kairos team in June.

• J. D. Larson, who left the Ascent/Fresh Expressions team on June 30.

BGAV Field Strategist Jody Faig (left) presents an anniversary plaque to Rapidan Baptist Church during their celebration service..

Is your congregation celebrating a big milestone? Let us know by emailing bgav@bgav.org or call our executive office.

Virginia Tech BCM/BSU Holds Reunion

On July 4, alumni of the BCM/BSU at Virginia Tech gathered together for a special reunion! Over 100 previous students, young and old, were in attendance to fellowship and celebrate the experiences of their time in collegiate ministry on campus in Blacksburg, VA. The event was hosted by current Baptist Collegiate Minister Darrell Cook, who directly impacted many of these alumni, having been in that role for over two decades.

We join together with our BCM students and alumni in VT BCM/BSU alumni pose for a group shot during their reunion in celebrating the many lifelong benefits of this wonderful July 2023. (photo courtesy of Chelsea Anderson) ministry.

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Event Calendar July 4 9-15 10-14 16-22 17-21

Independence Day Impact Mission Camp, Louisa, VA Music and Worship Arts Camp, Lynchburg, VA Impact Mission Camp, Danville, VA MC2: Missions Connection Celebration, Lynchburg, VA

August BGAV President and Mount Tabor Baptist Church Pastor Herbert Ponder with BGAV Executive Director Wayne Faison

5 28-30

September 4 7-28

10-16 16 21 28-30

BGAV Executive Director Wayne Faison speaks to the congregation at Mount Tabor Baptist Church.

Church Weekday Education Conference, Richmond, VA Empower Course 501: Foundations of Christian Coaching

Labor Day Empower 501: Foundations of Christian Coaching MicroCourse, Part 1 Alma Hunt Offering for Virginia Missions Week of Emphasis Church Weekday Education Conference, Lorton, VA Planning Financial Support for Church Staff Seminar, Henrico, VA V3 Praxis Gathering, Chicago, IL

October 19 20-22 27-29

Preparing for Retirement Seminar, Henrico, VA Special Needs Retreat, Lynchburg, VA Kairos Initiative Fall Gathering, Lynchburg, VA

November 13-15

BGAV Annual Meeting and 200th Anniversary Celebration, Richmond, VA

A Weekend of Big Ideas for Small Towns Closing thoughts by Rural Renewal Summit hosts, Kathleen Blackey and Jon Davis

Michael Beck quoted John Wesley saying, “The World is my Parish.” He then challenged us that most of us live where “The Parish is my World.” We focus on getting people to a building on Sundays rather than going to where people are with the Gospel. According to Michael, “Missional innovation can happen anywhere.”

Leah Hidde-Gregory was a wealth of information on pastoring in the local small church, small-town context, calling us to be faithful as God was entrusting us with a specific corner of His Kingdom. One suggestion she made regarding youth ministry was that “a community youth groups accomplish more than one single church trying to do youth group.”

Tim Thompson speaks to attendees of the Rural Renewal Summit about being the church Jesus built and not comparing ourselves to others.

Seeing God at work is powerful, even if it’s only through our screens. The Rural Renewal Summit wrapped up on Saturday afternoon, April 22, after opportunities to learn from rural pioneer missionaries like Hugh Halter, rural pastors like Abraham and Amanda Gross, rural denomination leaders like Leah Hidde-Gregory and Tim Thompson and Fresh Expressions practitioners like Michael Beck, Matt Lake and Luke Edwards.

Abraham and Amanda Gross gave a compelling call to be a present witness in our communities in loving kindness to others and to commit to this work over the long haul of life. They reminded us that “There’s no chart or graph for the fruit of the Spirit.”

The Summit was a celebration of God’s work in rural contexts across North America. While speakers did not shy away from the many challenges these parts of the country face, they also addressed the unique opportunities churches have to minister among them.

Hugh Halter detailed Kingdom Ecosystems that incubate good works. These good works embody: cottage industry that is benevolent, positive, and entrepreneurial in nature; some are focused on social justice making the world a better place; others are incarnational homes where Christ’s love is manifest and people come to faith.

Big Ideas for Small Towns

Ron Johnston brought us full circle, reminding us that Jesus loves His church and His compassion for us is not based on budgets, attendance, or good works.

Tim Thompson encouraged and inspired us to be a Local, Listening, Serving, Celebrating, and Proclaiming Church.

This is the Rock upon which Jesus builds His Church. He also reminded us to be careful in how we compare ourselves saying “The grass is not always greener on the other side.

Sometimes it’s astroturf.”

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What is the Future of the Rural Church in North America?

to working with local congregations and rurally-focused denominations to develop strategies for today’s North American mission fields.

What does the future of the Rural Church look like in North America? It would be easy to assume that it is inextricably linked to population changes, economics, and social issues that shape the small towns where these churches are located. And yet, perhaps it’s not that simple.

Some resources you can already take advantage of include hosting a Rural Church Workshop, listening back to Season One of the Rural Renewal Podcast, and participating in the upcoming training event “Both/And: Hybrid Worship and Hospitality for Small and Rural Church” with Jason Moore.

History holds stories of how small bands of Christians who are committed to loving and serving a particular city, town, or neighborhood, have often brought new vitality along with their spiritual message.

Hope for Rural North America

In a polarized, fractured, and broken world, we have hope.

At the Rural Renewal Summit, we witnessed what that hope looks like in the small towns of North America. The way the world changes for the better is when people have an encounter with the Lord, their lives are transformed by grace, and they work for transformation in the places they call home.

Stories like the Irish monks who established monasteries that often grew into towns, Anabaptist farmers who built and furnished homes that last for generations, and the growing discipleship movements that are reshaping life in parts of the Southern hemisphere.

We should expect that when small bands of Christians dedicate themselves to loving and serving rural North America, the same results will be seen in time.

At the heart of Fresh Expressions’ Rural Renewal work is the belief that, in Christ, the people of rural North America will become a new creation and all things will be made new.

We cannot assume that this means rural churches should continue life and ministry as normal. The broader shifts in culture require a shift in mindset and approach for how ministry is carried out. Fresh Expressions is committed

Kathleen Blackey and Jon Davis hosted the Rural Renewal Summit in April 2023. Kathleen is Coordinator of Strategic Initiatives for Fresh Expressions US, and Jon is Coordinator of Operations (DCC) for Fresh Expressions US.

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For more information, visit FreshExpressions.com

A STATEMENT OF RE-AFFIRMATION FROM THE BGAV EXECUTIVE OFFICE AND EXECUTIVE BOARD

On Friday, June 23, 2023, the BGAV Executive Board and Executive Office issued the following statement in affirmation of our position on ordination and leadership in BGAVparticipating churches, which is available at all levels to both women and men. Upholding each church’s autonomy and respecting their congregational decisions regarding the ordination of women, whether a church chooses to or not, continues to be a hallmark of the Baptist heritage we share.

Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) is a missionary movement unleashing the power of the resurrected Christ through the local church for the renewal of all things. As such, we reaffirm our heritage that equally values churches from a wide range of faithful positions. We believe that we have greater influence for Christ together than we could separately.

BGAV upholds the historical Baptist distinctive of the autonomy of the local church. The ordination of women and how they shall serve is a local church matter. The autonomy of the local congregation and the priesthood of believers are the criteria by which BGAV represents churches. We bless churches to prayerfully discern their stance on women in pastoral ministry, fostering a respectful space for diverse perspectives. BGAV affirms each church’s authority to ordain women if they discern this as part of their faith journey.

The proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ is our priority.

Virginia Baptists have historically been gospel centric. BGAV recognizes that the Holy Spirit bestows gifts without regard to gender. Both women and men are seen as vessels through which the Spirit works, and the Spirit equips all believers for myriad ministries including the role of pastor within the church. This basic understanding affirms the inherent worth and potential of all followers of Christ.

Whether churches choose to ordain women or not, BGAV values the unity of the body of Christ and the collective mission that can be achieved when churches work together.

BGAV emphasizes the importance of collaboration and mutual support for the greater purpose of advancing the Kingdom of God. BGAV believes that when Baptist churches unite, we can accomplish more for the Kingdom. Be assured that the Executive Office and the Executive Board value and honor all BGAV churches.

You are at home with BGAV! If your church is already a BGAV-participating church, or if it’s not and you’d like to know more about how to become one, please scan the QR code to visit bgav.org/how-to-participate or email us at bgav@bgav.org. We’d love to be your home.

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who we are VIRGINIA BAPTISTS

by Ken Kessler

Empower Coaching Network: Helping Others Move Forward When you hear the word “coach,” what one person or thing comes to your mind?

I put this question to the test with 100 random people, and their answers might be similar to yours: Coach K, my football coach who yelled at me, what I do three days a week with my child’s tee-ball team, my high school basketball life, my personal trainer, Roy Williams, Tony Bennett, Nick Saban. The list goes on and on.

But coaching isn’t just for athletes.

We tend to think of coaches as people who direct our favorite team or who direct us to be our best at a sport we have chosen.

Professional coaches—like myself and those whom I train— use the same skills and principles of athletic coaches to partner with a person to get them from where they are presently to where they want to go in the future.

From a Christian coaching perspective, a coach helps a person establish where they are presently in their lives and where they think God is calling them to move toward. The coach then helps them discover the action steps they need to take to where God’s call leads. Bob Dale, my esteemed late colleague and friend and leadership mentor to scores of ministers, shared a great metaphor for what a Christian coach is and does: “A coach is my ‘thinking partner’ who holds me accountable for forward movement.”

BGAV’s Empower Coaching Network trains people to be these “thinking partners” for others by developing a group of trained and prepared coaches who walk alongside leaders who are searching for the answers to their question about what is next. About three times a year, the network provides the Foundations of Powerful Coaching course that prepares people to use specific coaching skills in their ministry settings.

• Creating a space that is safe for risk-taking and transformation.

As the landscape of church and ministry continues to change rapidly, a coachee works with their coach to learn new ways to listen to others and develop innovative ideas.

• Asking rather than telling. A coachee is guided to ask others for expertise and direction from others as needed to discover his/her own answers to challenging questions and situations.

Coaching changes lives. Consider these personal testimonials from a few of our coaches: Foundations taught me how to give others the responsibility for their own lives and decision-making by showing them that they are capable and resourceful. I went from being a “fixer” and trying to do the life-changing work for others to now being able to empower and equip others to do their own work, which leads to growth and transformation. –Amy Hall In my case, it was the beginning of God’s new call for my life and ministry. Several people acknowledged in that first class how the practice seemed such a natural fit for me. Learning the foundational practices of coaching introduced a great way to minister to people that would become most of my ministry efforts. It is the lion’s share of what I do now and is most rewarding in helping people take forward steps to reaching new heights and goals. –David Peppler For me, powerful questions have been a gateway to deeper revelation with those I’m coaching. Knowing how to ask questions that move the dial for the coachee has brought about results I didn’t expect, from tears to revelation. That’s the work of coaching, helping people continually lean forward. The right questions unlock so many learnings in life. –Christy Foldenauer

As director of the network, here are some key things I’ve discovered about what we do and what the “coachee” learns and experiences. Coaching is: • Present and future focused. A coachee works on moving If you’re inspired by this and want to learn more, contact me at forward, not belaboring the past. ken.kessler@bgav.org or view upcoming courses at BGAV.org.

• Action oriented. A coachee works toward moving forward by putting ideas into action.

Ken Kessler is BGAV’s director of the Empower Coaching Network.

• Leveraging gifts and strengths. A coachee learns to listen to the voice of God in discerning where their passions meet opportunities and works on finding open doors to pursue For more information, visit those.

BGAV.org/Empower 10

JMU BCM Changes Building Name to Reach Community For many years, the Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) building at James Madison University ( JMU) in Harrisonburg, VA, has stood on the corner of Main Street and MLK Jr. Way (previously Cantrell). Facing the building, the city of Harrisonburg is to the right; to the left is the JMU campus. The BCM sits at a critical juncture between the city and the campus.

“As a result of all of these connections, we began to realize that our building needed a name that is distinct from the ministry (BCM),” Scott recalled. “We began to see that the building itself could have an identity that could enable us to use it in ways not connected directly to the campus and expand our ministry and our reach.”

According to Scott Anderson, campus minister, “A dream has been bubbling up in our hearts for a couple of years. What if we could use our space to better serve the city? So much of our efforts are (rightly) on the campus. We serve students; this is our mission. But what about our other neighbors?”

They took this idea to the students, who understood the vision immediately. After several brainstorming sessions and tons of thought and prayer, they created a name that they believe aligns with the vision: The Hope Center.

“We began to dream about what it might look like for the building to become a resource for the community,” he explained, “so we started to listen to needs.”

A CPR group needed a space to train (mostly) college student nursing majors. A LEGO® robotics group needed a place for summer camp. Local women wanted to host a clothing swap, so people in need could get clothing in a sustainable way.

The name change doesn’t mean any change to the ministry itself. All BCM activities take precedence on the building calendar, and students remain the priority. But now, The Hope Center can be presented as a community meeting place to local groups who need space to rent. This will be a helpful income stream for the ministry budget. We can position ourselves as a building that has tremendous value—not only to Christian college students—but to the community of Harrisonburg itself.

“Our community needs the hope of Jesus, and we are striving to use our resources to that end. We invite you to join us in praying to this end.”

REGISTER TODAY Leadership in Ministry Workshops Ministering to Ministers Retreats The Coaching Institute SCAN TO LEARN MORE

Leadership Development and Ministry Support

Missio Alliance Hosts Hopeful Conversation for Disruptive Times The last time Missio Alliance held a conference, organizers invited expert speakers to help church leaders deal with a changing culture. Then came COVID-19. And the whirlwind of other changes in the past few years.

WRITTEN by Bob Smietana

Those challenges, she said, had taken their toll on congregations and church leaders. The past few years have been a time of disruption, with friendships lost and hopes shattered, leading to significant disruption in many congregations, RodriguezWatson told attendees.

“There are no experts anymore,” said the Rev. Wayne Faison.

“There’s probably a number of things that you’d hoped had gone differently in your life in this recent season,” she said.

In its first national gathering since 2019, about 300 people came together Thursday, April 27, for the opening session of the “Awakenings” conference, organized by Missio Alliance, a cross-denominational, multi-ethnic network of church leaders interested in how churches fulfill their mission in a changing world.

She went on to tell a story about a plant she’d gotten around the time of her father-in-law’s funeral. Rodriguez-Watson said she’d taken the plant home and for years, it had been a reminder of her beloved father-in-law, a kind of steady presence in her family’s home.

The gathering was a place to ask hard questions, said Faison, a board member of Missio Alliance and the executive director of the Baptist General Association of Virginia. And a place to find friendship and community in trying times.

Then, during the pandemic, the plant died. It was a small thing, she said, but painful — yet another in a series of losses.

Still, she told attendees, there were signs of hope. Churches have long dealt with seasons of disruption, often with creativity and innovation. Responding to this current season of disruption, she said, will require a renewed focus on spiritual formation — as well as an outward focus on justice.

Lisa Rodriguez-Watson, Missio Alliance national director, began her talk by outlining some of the challenges that churches have faced in recent years, during what she referred to as a “season of apocalypse.”

A global pandemic. The nation’s racial reckoning after the 2020 death of George Floyd. Christian nationalism. Church scandals.

That outward focus, she said, is linked to spiritual formation.

People can’t share the “boundless love of God” unless they know it, she said.

“It’s been kind of sucky for a while,” Rodriguez-Watson said.

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Lisa Rodriguez-Watson, Missio Alliance’s national coordinator, addresses the audience at Awakenings.

The Missio Alliance Awakenings 2023 team

Before COVID-19, the church had a raised stage at the front of the room that included room for the worship band and the preacher during worship. During the pandemic, while the room was empty, the stage was lowered and relocated to the center of the room. The result is a stage surrounded by worshippers, where people can see one another, and most of the seats are on three sides of the stage.

Kim said that as a result of the pandemic and other social upheavals, some churches have been tempted to withdraw and circle the wagons, while others feel like giving up. He hoped the Missio Alliance event would inspire hopeful conversations that encourage leaders to keep going during disruptive times.

Dennis Edwards, another of the first day’s speakers, challenged attendees to turn the idea of disruption on its head. A New Testament scholar and dean of North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, Edwards said the earliest followers of Jesus lived in chaotic and disruptive times.

Almost everyone is bewildered, he said.

At times like this, Kim said, one of the best things churches can do is work together.

But they also disrupted the status quo of the Roman Empire at a time when social stratification and violence were commonplace.

In that world, he said, some people prospered while others were crucified.

“I think the church is at its best when it’s together — when churches are not in opposition or in competition but are working together, to try to find new ways to have a presence in the world,” he said.

Rodriguez-Watson ended her talk with a similar message of hope.

“When I’m thinking of disruption, I think of opposing unhealthy and evil practices and values, whether they emerge from within the church or come from the outside,” he said.

Not long ago, she said, her husband told her he’d made a cutting of the plant from his father’s funeral. That cutting is now replanted and growing.

In a talk that quoted from scholarly sources as well as Monty Python’s “The Life of Brian,” Edwards challenged his listeners to do the same by overcoming evil — both in the outside world and inside the church — with God.

“Disruption does not have the final word,” she said.

Along with challenging injustice, Edwards reminded attendees to tend to their own souls and lean into the grace and rest of God amid the noise of life.

The article above was written by Bob Smietana, a veteran religion writer and national reporter for Religion News Service.

It was originally posted May 1, 2023 at the following link: religionnews.com/2023/05/01/missio-alliance-hosts-hopefulconversation-for-disruptive-times/

Thursday’s sessions, along with the rest of the conference, were held at the Vineyard church in Evanston, a near north suburb of Chicago that’s home to Northwestern University. The church recently renovated its worship space to be more conducive to community building, said senior pastor Ted Kim.

For more information, visit MissioAlliance.org 13

WORKSHOPS ENGAGE CHURCH LEADERS IN DIGITAL PROFICIENCY Recently, leaders from 25 different churches participated in Digital Proficiency Workshops to learn how to improve their church’s digital presence. The events are sponsored and led by BGAV’s Ascent Marketing Group (AMG). These four-hour workshops are offered by region, with the most recent ones in northern Virginia with the NorthStar Church Network and Richmond with River City Faith Network.

Led by AMG’s Tom York and Gary Long, workshop participants learn region-specific challenges and best practices in using digital media (livestreaming, social media, et. al). Each church is presented a customized snapshot of their digital presence, which is used as part of the training to give specific feedback on how to improve outreach and engagement.

Participants shared lunch together and had lots of time to discuss with each other their challenges, successes, and tips.

Participant feedback after the training put high value on being with volunteers and staffers in other churches—both like theirs and different—who are facing similar challenges and opportunities in the complexity of today’s digital world.

“We came today hopeful,” explained Curt Kruschwitz, pastor of Goochland Baptist Church. “We wanted to learn more about how we can use this digital world as a tool to reach people and share the good news of Jesus.”

Jessica Stanley, a volunteer at Goochland Baptist, also attended.

“I was excited to learn about what other churches are doing and to hear about some of the trends that are taking place in that world. I think we’ve walked away with a lot of ideas and things we’re excited about.”

Curt added, “We got some good tips from the profile they gave us of our church. There are some things that we can quickly improve.”

Mikayla Barnes, Coordinator of Missions for the Concord Baptist Association, attended the workshop to determine whether bringing something like this to her area might be helpful. “We have 30 churches in a rural area,” she explained, “and I think we could use some help with digital content.” She commented on the experience, “It has been very engaging and one on one, and the snapshot of each church is really helpful.

It’s personalized and can help a church grow.”

If you’d be interested in a Digital Proficiency Workshop for your area, please email us at bgav@bgav.org.

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For more information, visit BGAV.org/digitalproficiencyworkshop

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“LORD, PLEASE HEAL ME OR LET ME DIE.” OVERNIGHT, JOEL LOST HIS ABILITY TO WALK, TALK OR EVEN MOVE. WOULD HE RECOVER HIS STRENGTH? OR BE FOREVER PARALYZED? Explore Joel’s story of suffering and mercy, and hear other stories of how ordinary people respond to extraordinary challenges in UNSTOPPABLE. This video-driven Bible study demonstrates how, with God's help, we can do more than just move forward. We can become unstoppable.

Download your FREE Bible study at EverBless.org/unstoppable.

Presented by EverBless Foundation

Gathering of Silence Offers Respite to Ministers

I encourage all pastors to give this retreat serious consideration. But there are others who need to hear this request: churches. The congregations these men and women serve are aware of their pastor’s work.

They appreciate the ministry that often goes above and beyond their job descriptions. October is Pastor Appreciation Month. What better gift can your church give your pastor than a time away for whatever renewal your pastor needs? Sponsor your pastor. Put this event in your annual budget so he or she can experience a time of refreshing for their soul. Affirm the person who serves you well by allowing them to spend some time growing in their own faith.

by David Peppler Some go to deepen their relationship with God. Some go to discern God’s next steps for them. Some go to rest and relax. Some go to plan without distractions. Some go for peer engagement. Some go to get away from the issues surrounding them—to simply breathe.

Each year during the first full week of October, pastors from around BGAV join together at CrossRoads Camp and Conference Center in Lowesville, VA, for 72 hours of whatever they need the most. This retreat is open to men and women who serve as pastors or in other pastoral roles. There have been times when pastors of other denominations have joined in as well for this time primarily devoted to spiritual renewal.

For any of the pastors who choose to participate, there is a free coaching session to all during their retreat. Many have taken advantage of this to discuss spiritual matters, discernment, issues in their context, and more. A lot of pastors have left their retreats with a far stronger sense of clarity and focus because of the combined time with God and the coaching encouragement.

Opportunities abound with hiking trails and incredible scenery.

It is a perfect place for deep reflection, whether sitting on the mountainside or next to the mountain stream or rocking with eyes closed on Hunt Hall’s deck. Off the mountain are other options for hiking, fishing, golfing, and more.

Pastors continue to face new dynamics in church life constantly.

The post-pandemic world isn’t finished evolving. Attending a Gathering of Silence could benefit any pastor in many ways— from spiritual renewal, to a sharper focus on ministry, to a new sense of calling, to a clarifying view on a personal issue.

The retreat begins with lunch on Monday and ends with lunch on Thursday. Devotional materials are provided for participants to follow if they choose, with a daily focus on scripture and spirituality. Everyone approaches this retreat with an understanding that we will not be speaking at all during time together, with one daily voluntary exception from 7:00 – 9:00pm, when there is an optional time for reflection and discussion.

For years, people have said that CrossRoads is a place where “the silence is so loud you can hear God.” Come to the Gathering of Silence October 2–5 to rest and listen to God. See the related ad on the next page, and register today.

David Peppler is coordinator of the Gathering of Silence Retreat.

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For more information, visit CrossroadsCamp.com

Silence, Solitude, Celebration MAKE MY JOY COMPLETE BY BEING OF THE SAME MI

SAME LOVE, UNITED IN SPIRIT INTENT OctoberON 2-5, ONE 2023 PURP

Crossroads Camp and Conference Center Lowesville, VA

Gathering of Silence Retreat REGISTER ONLINE: https://crossroadsccc.wufoo.com/forms/gathering-of-silence-2023/

MAKE MY JOY COMPLETE BY BEING OF THE SAME MIND, MAINTAINING THE SAME LOVE, UNITED IN SPIRIT INTENT ON ONE PURPOSE. PHILIPPIANS 2:2

OUR CHURCH GIVING GOAL:

WOMAN’S MISSIONARY

OUR CHURCH GIVING GOAL:

UNION OFTHE VIRGINIA AINTAINING PHILIPPIANS 2:2

WOMAN’S MISSIONARY UNION OF VIRGINIA

MAKE MY JOY COMPLETE BY BEING OF THE SAME MIND, MAINTAINING THE SAME LOVE, UNITED IN SPIRIT INTENT ON ONE PURPOSE. PHILIPPIANS 2:2 THE SAME MIND, MAINTAINING THE ON ONE PURPOSE. PHILIPPIANS 2:2

IVING GOAL:

MAKE MY JOY COMPLETE BY BEING OF THE SAME MIND, MAINTAINING THE PHILIPPIANS 2:2

OUR CHURCH GIVINGSAME GOAL: LOVE, UNITED IN SPIRIT INTENT ON ONE PURPOSE.

LATEST MINISTRY JOBS •

Minister of Community Engagement, West End Baptist Church, North Dinwiddie, VA

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Youth Ministry Director, St John Baptist Church, Columbia, MD

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Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Gate City, VA

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Senior Pastor, Mechanicsville Baptist Church, Mechanicsville, VA

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Pastor, Elk Creek Baptist Church, Mineral, VA

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Missions Discipleship Coordinator, Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia (WMUV), Henrico, VA

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Administrative Manager, Bon Air Baptist Church, Richmond, VA

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Front Office Coordinator, Manassas Baptist Church, Manassas, VA

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Financial Assistant, Lake Ridge Baptist Church, Woodbridge, VA

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Pastor, Lawrenceville Baptist Church, Lawrenceville, VA

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Pastor, Clincho Missionary Baptist Church, Clincho, VA

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Pastor, United Baptist Church, Danville, VA

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Director of Music Ministry, Hillcrest Baptist Church, Hanover, VA

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Worship Leader/Music Director, Memorial Baptist Church, Arlington, VA

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Be sure to bookmark BGAV.org to keep up-todate with the latest from BGAV.

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Baptist General Association of Virginia

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

2828 Emerywood Parkway Henrico, VA 23294

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

BGAV Annual Meeting and 200th Anniversary Celebration Registration opens September 1.

For details, visit Meeting.BGAV.org