VIRGINIA BAPTISTS RENEW COMMITMENT TO GOD AND THE BGAV AT 2019 ANNUAL MEETING

Uptick Artists lead the congregation during worship.

VIRGINIA BAPTISTS RENEW COMMITMENT TO GOD AND THE BGAV AT 2019 ANNUAL MEETING

The Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) held its 196th Annual Meeting from Monday, November 11, through Wednesday, November 13, at Bonsack Baptist Church in Roanoke, VA. Richard Martin presided throughout the meeting. Five hundred fifty-two messengers attended along with 265 guests and exhibitors for a total of 817 meeting participants. Events began on Monday afternoon with the annual Pastor’s Conference and Korean fellowship and focused on missions. This year’s theme, “Renew,” is based on Romans 12: 1-2 and challenges attendees to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

The day continued with an afternoon filled with breakout sessions spotlighting the work of a wide array of BGAVaffiliated ministries and missions partners. Leaders from Fresh Expressions and the V3 Church Planting Movement shared engaging ways for participants to creatively think about church in their communities. Elijah Brown, General Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, gave a report on the growth of the global church. BGAV missions partnership focus:refugees partners from as close as Richmond to as far as Lebanon told stories and shared ways Virginia Baptists can get involved in refugee work. After a shared community meal, Todd Combee honored veterans with a prayer and opened the evening session focused on the future of the Church.

Alia Abboud, Director of Development and Partner Relations at the Lebanese Society for Education and Social Development (LSESD), spoke about her ministry with and among Syrian refugees, who are historically enemies of Lebanon. BGAV is partnering with LSESD as a part of the missions partnership focus:refugees.

“God is transforming our churches,” she concluded.

Matt Thornhill, a founder of SIR’s Institute for Tomorrow think tank in Richmond, VA, was the keynote speaker Monday evening. He utilizes his organization’s focus on understanding trends that matter and the people who are shaping them to think critically about the future church.

“The most important shift that we are seeing is that we are growing older,” he noted, citing statistics showcasing how by 2030 there will be as many young people as old people in Virginia. Thornhill sees this as an opportunity, not necessarily a death sentence, encouraging churches to “activate the boomers” to reach out to other boomers in their communities rather than churches solely focusing on reaching younger generations.

Thornhill challenged participants to be better about being inclusive, and to realize that God loves all people. We must build a big tent where everyone can belong, he argued, saying, “I don’t think Jesus was in the pushing-away business; he was in the bringing-people-together business.”

BGAV Executive Director, John Upton, closed the evening reflecting on the two speakers, praying that participants will be renewed this week. He welcomed the BGAV family and asked that God may do something unique and powerful in the BGAV in these next days.

On a snowy Tuesday morning, Chris Cadenhead, pastor of Bonsack Baptist Church, brought warm greetings before the Uptick Artists led a spirit-filled acoustic set of worship.

Several reports were offered, including those from the clerk and program committee. Nominations were made for boards and committees.

Kristen White, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Red Oak, VA, challenged the notion of convenience in church, preaching from the story of Lydia in Acts 16. She encouraged messengers to “be found faithful, especially when it is inconvenient.”

In his treasurer’s report, David Washburn, BGAV Treasurer, reviewed the current BGAV budget and expenditures. He thanked the messengers gathered for their faithful giving to BGAV in 2019, noting that as of the time of the Annual Meeting, the BGAV was in “a favorable position” for meeting the expected 2019 budget.

Under Dr. Kevin Meadows’ leadership, reports were offered from the Executive Board regarding actions, observances, and special offerings.

John Upton presented resolutions of appreciation for William J. ( Jeff) Cranford, who retired from BGAV’s Congregational Field Staff after serving as the Central Region Field Strategist and Compensation Planning Specialist, and Stephen Richerson, who retired as President and Executive Director of HopeTree Family Services.

David Washburn then presented the proposed 2020 budget. It includes projected Cooperative Missions gifts of $9.1 million, which is the same as last year, and additional revenue through designated gifts and new initiatives that total $20.5 million in anticipated annual giving. The budget was discussed in an afternoon breakout session.

After an intermission, attendees joined together in worship, led once again by the Uptick Artists.

John Upton gave the Executive Director’s report, emphasizing BGAV’s continued commitment to theological education in Virginia. He welcomed William Shiell, President of Northern Seminary in Chicago, to announce a new partnership offering online theological degrees from Northern Seminary for students from BGAV churches.

Upton continued on to highlight the deep roots of the BGAV and how those roots have brought forth exciting green shoots. He welcomed participants into a conversation over the next year to explore and discuss what the BGAV will look like as it honors its commitment to both the local church and broader movemental ministries. He wrapped up his report announcing that BGAV had reached the goal of a six-year partnership with the Ghana Baptist Convention called “More Than Nets,” distributing 100,000 mosquito nets and planting over 5,000 churches in villages across northern Ghana.

Dr. Don Davidson, pastor of First Baptist Church of Alexandria, shared the second message of the morning, drawing from the words of Jeremiah 29. He encouraged those present to seek peace and prosperity for those in their cities, sharing Christ and praying for those around them regardless of their context.

Uptick Artists finished the morning session in worship, and then a lunch was provided by the Virginia Baptist Disaster Response team.

In the afternoon, participants attended a wide array of breakout sessions, including sessions ranging from topics on church governance, to creating a culture of discipleship in churches, to ways to revitalize the church, and many more.

BGAV Field Strategist, Brian Williams, speaks to residents of the Tidewater region during his regional meeting Tuesday afternoon.

The evening worship service, presided over by Jay Lawson, began with a beautiful and diverse set of songs by the Bonsack Baptist Church choir and musicians, led by Grant Frederick, Bonsack’s Minister of Music.

The Bonsack Baptist Church Adult Choir leads in worship during Tuesday evening's worship service.

Alia Abboud, the Director of Development and Partner Relations at the Lebanese Society for Education and Social Development (LSESD), shared inspiring stories of God working through Lebanese Baptist churches.

Dean Miller, BGAV Mission Development Staff Coordinator, shared more about how the BGAV is partnering with organizations doing refugee work in Lebanon, Croatia, Austria, and Virginia, in a new partnership called focus:refugees. He introduced the online BGAV Missions gift catalog and invited participants to give towards refugee work as Toma Magda, director of Croatian Baptist Aid prayed over the offering.

Scot McKnight, the Julius R. Mantey Chair of New Testament at Northern Seminary, gave his first keynote address after a delayed arrival due to inclement weather. He started by addressing the recent uncovering of widespread abuse of power and sexual misconduct of the church across the world.

In a heartfelt plea, he said, “I long for a culture where pastors and leaders and congregations promote a kind of Christianity...where (others) look...and say: that is a safe place.” He then outlined three ways churches can build cultures of goodness and become safe places.

He charged his listeners to build churches that are built on people first, that are committed to work of Christlike formation, and where members take their priestly responsibility seriously as they are in community with others.

After a resounding chorus of “How Marvelous, How Wonderful,” Melanie Lassiter gave the final benediction, closing out a spiritfilled day.

On Wednesday morning, the Uptick Artists led the congregation in a spirit-centered time of worship. Richard Martin presided over the conclusion of the business meeting.

The 2020 budget was passed with no questions followed by a unanimous affirmative vote.

Reggie Warren, chair of the Committee on Resolutions, expressed his thanks as he proposed a Resolution of Appreciation for Bonsack Baptist Church and for the many BGAV leaders who hosted, organized, and implemented this year’s annual meeting.

Adam Tyler, a lifelong Virginia Baptist, long-time BGAV church pastor, and current BGAV First Vice President, was nominated and elected to serve next year as president.

Ronald Gravatt was elected as 1st Vice President. Additionally, messengers elected Carol Johnston as 2nd Vice President, and Herbert Ponder was reelected to serve as clerk. The body also approved new Mission Council members.

Becky McKinney was approved as chair of the Executive Board. Boyce Brannock, Kevin Meadows, Rachel Pierce, and Herbert Ponder were all nominated and elected to serve on the Executive Board.

BGAV Executive Director, John Upton, expressed appreciation and administered certificates of gratitude for standing committee chairs including, Patty Spragg, Committee on Credentials; Lora Gravatt, Tellers Committee; Tommy McDearis, Committee on Scholarships and Ministerial Education Funds; Scott Curtis, Committee on Program; Mat Brown and Shawn White, Committee on Christian Life; Nancy Stanton McDaniel, Committee on Memorials; Tim Madison, Committee on Boards and Committees; Rick Clore, Committee on Religious Liberty; and Reggie Warren, Committee on Resolutions.

Upton then expressed gratitude for two outgoing members of the Executive Board. Michael Cheuk and Michael Jordan, for their service the past years.

Richard Martin, outgoing BGAV president, signed his name in a commemorative Bible signed by all past BGAV presidents. Upton then prayed for and commissioned the new officers.

After an intermission, the meeting continued with a worship time with music led by BGAV’s Uptick Artists. Nancy Stanton McDaniel then presided over a time of memorial and reflection, remembering those BGAV pastors and friends who have passed away in the past year.

Scot McKnight, the keynote speaker for the week, brought his final message. McKnight shared an interactive and lively reading of the letter of Philemon. Through the interpretive reading, he parsed out the Kingdom spirit of reconciliation found in Paul’s words and encouraged those to mirror that spirit in a divisive culture.

“As children of God, we are called to a peace and a unity that transcends while recognizing that we are not always going to agree,” he said. He finished by noting that in heaven, all will be reconciled together before joining in singing God’s praises.

BGAV’s 2020 officers are (from left to right) Carol Johnston, Adam Tyler, Ronald Gravatt, Herbert Ponder, and Becky McKinney.

Following McKnight, Upton shared some closing remarks, thanking the speakers, pastors, Uptick Artist band, staff, and volunteers for their service during the week. He encouraged those present to go out in a spirit of renewal and reconciliation back to their communities.

New BGAV President, Adam Tyler, prayed the final benediction and officially adjourned the meeting.