BGAV Express - Winter 2022

VOL 7, ISSUE 1

WINTER 2022

04:32 / 48:54

ASCENDING // pg 7

TOGETHER

The BGAV family climbs the “Mountain of Healing” together during our all-virtual annual meeting in November 2021

Upton Announces Retirement Plans

BGAV Executive Director announces retirement plans for Summer 2022 9

Scholarship Recipients Awarded!

View photos of our 2021-2022 scholarship and ministerial fund recipients 14

New Partnership in Nicaragua

BGAV partners with Food for the Hungry in long-term relationship 20

AN EASIER BURDEN

by John Upton If you are one of the following types of people, please feel free to read no further: your life is easy and reasonable, you never worry, you do not struggle or have any concerns, or you do not care much about anything. Should you be any one of these, you are free to read no further. Now, that leaves those of us who live with concerns, stresses, struggles, and burdens. It leaves those of us who get really, really tired of all of it. Thank you for reading on.

Those of us reading on are the only ones in need of hearing these words again from Jesus in Matthew: “Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and lowly of heart. You will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Those are powerful words. They are almost haunting words, because they speak to the deep sighing in each of us—to the weariness of our burdened hearts.

We do bear burdens, don’t we? We bear all kinds of heavy obligations—problems beyond us to solve. We have expectations difficult to meet, burdens of regret, burdens of guilt, the burdens of other people’s hurts, and the burden of longing for some sense of completion and fulfillment that eludes us. Jesus does not name the burden or describe the weariness. He just says, “Come to me.”

JOHN UPTON is Executive Director of the BGAV.

To be honest, sometimes we really do not want the rest Jesus offers. We prefer our overly burdened life. Maybe it is a safe place to hide. Besides that, Christ’s invitation is often drowned out by all the other voices saying carry the weight! Carry all those expectations, obligations, resentments, fatigue, the weight of your own importance, and your burden of guilt. And hey—there is a prize for the person who carries the heaviest load. That is religion for you.

Yet there stands Christ, saying your life was not meant to be this kind of tired. “Come to me, let me give you rest.”

We ask, “How do I do that? What rest?”

His answer is surprising, “Take my yoke on you.” What? Isn’t a yoke the very symbol of tiresome labor? Burdened, he says, get under my yoke. Whatever Jesus means by rest, it does not seem to mean inactivity.

When Jesus says to get under his yoke, it sounds like permission and encouragement to stop carrying the baggage we pile on ourselves and other people pile onto us. Lay all that baggage down. You can straighten your back and breathe. Doesn’t that feel good?

If it is his yoke, what is it we carry? It is the burden of love. It is the burden of God’s love for all the world and for us. That is an awfully heavy weight, isn’t it? The weight of that burden is immensely heavier than all our baggage of false burdens put together. God’s love outweighs the universe.

Yet, Jesus says it is an easy yoke and the burden is light. Why? Because this is not the yoke for one set of shoulders. Christ is under it. To take his yoke is to be in his strong, glad company and in the strong, glad company of so many others. I’ll tell you what really rests on our shoulders; it is the hand of God on our lives. I find that a restful thought, don’t you? Christ’s own hand is on our shoulder. December is the perfect month to be reminded of this. Like Mary, what we carry is a burden of joy.

Now, let us carry that!

IN THIS

04:32 / 48:54

ASCENDING

The BGAV family climbs the “Mountain of Healing” together during our allvirtual annual meeting in November 2021

TOGETHER

// pg 7

4 // BGAV News & Notes

12 // BGAV Disaster Response Update from Hurley, VA

5 // BGAV President’s Column

14 // 2021-2022 Scholarship Recipients

7 // Ascending Together: BGAV Annual Meeting Summary 8 // BGAV Executive Director Report Introduces New Ministries 9 // BGAV Executive Director Announces Retirement Plans during 2021 Annual Meeting 10 // A Note About BGAV’s Budget for 2022

ISSN 2573-5101 (print) ISSN 2573-511X (online) A publication of the Baptist General Association of Virginia Volume 7, Issue 1 Winter 2022 BGAV Express is published seasonally by the Baptist General Association of Virginia, 2828 Emerywood Parkway, Henrico, VA 23294.

17 // Eagle Eyrie’s 2021 Special Needs Retreat Connects Friends Online 18 // BGAV Launches AXIS: A Ministry Academy and Training Network 20 // Celebrate Kickoff Sunday for focus:poverty 21 // An Impact Re:Created 23 // Latest Ministry Jobs

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 Ministers in Residence: Providing Specialized Assistance and Expertise for Your BGAV Church

Leadership Development Craig Harwood | craig.harwood@bgav.org Drawing upon his professional experience and expertise, Craig will cultivate leadership development conversations with pastors and cohorts, and he will utilize relational capital in leadership development.

Ministers in Residence address a variety of needs in local churches based on their areas of specialty from years of experience in their fields.

These are joining a team that already includes:

The Congregational Field Staff Team is looking forward to a bright 2022 and beyond with the addition of several new Ministers in Residence, complementing the services of those who currently serve in that capacity.

Congregational Care Cynthia Shackelford | cynthia.shackelford@ bgav.org Cynthia specializes in conflict management and resolution, but she also helps congregations deal with differences before they become conflicts.

The newest additions to the team are: Evangelism and Missions Steve Collins | steve.collins@bgav.org Retiring from his role as a Field Strategist, Steve will focus on forming community partnerships to foster community engagement, recognizing evangelism as a natural result of discipleship, and using resources to bless the community as outreach/evangelism in today’s world.

Church Finance Jeff Cranford | jeff.cranford@bgav.org Jeff assists churches, church staff members, and pastor search teams with a variety of important resources and consultation in the areas of compensation, retirement, and administration.

Discipleship and Spiritual Faith Formation Christy Foldenauer | christy.foldenauer@ bgav.org Christy will develop a statewide approach to discipleship while working with congregations to develop a roadmap toward discipling.

AXIS Ministry Academy and Resource Network Kathy Kruschwitz, program coordinator | director@axistraining.org Kathy is at the helm of AXIS, coordinating faculty and course offerings and acting as convener and facilitator for church leader affinity groups online.

Vocational Connections Cadance Tyler | cadance.tyler@bgav.org Cadance will work to connect ministerial candidates with BGAV churches.

Developing relationships with seminaries and building networks of people seeking to serve congregations, she will facilitate strategic relationships to help ministers and churches discover each other in the ministry matching process.

As this team delves into its important work, more information will be available on the BGAV website at www.bgav.org. Until then, you may use any of the email addresses above to contact individual ministers in residence to inquire about what they can do with and for your congregation.

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Event Calendar January 2022 1 16 17 28–29 30

New Year’s Day Supply Distribution Training and Forklift Training, Louisa, VA Martin Luther King Jr. Day Crisis Care and Hands-on Ministry Training, Henrico, VA Kickoff Sunday for Focus:Poverty Sponsorship

February 21 24

Presidents Day Church and Clergy Tax Seminar, Henrico, VA

March 5

Mission Matters, Cool Spring Baptist Church, Mechanicsville, VA 30–4/1 Fresh Expressions National Gathering, Reston, VA

April 17

May 8 19 30

June 19 19–25

26–7/2

Easter Sunday Mother’s Day Church Financial Administration Seminar, Henrico, VA Memorial Day Father’s Day Impact, Roanoke, VA Impact Bridges for Hope, Bluefield, VA Impact, Mecklenburg, VA

2022

FOCUS:POVERTY

Join us for Kickoff Sunday January 30, 2022 FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY IN NICARAGUA Looking for 100 BGAV churches to pray with us or invite their congregations to sponsor children!

Sign up today and receive everything your church will need for Kickoff Sunday.

Sign up at BGAVMissions.org/focus-poverty

MORE THAN A MISSION TRIP -

A LASTING IMPACT 2022 Dates

Bluefield/Bridges for Hope : June 19–25 Roanoke : June 19–25 Mecklenburg : June 26–July 2 Danville: July 10–16 Chesterfield : July 17–23 Eastern Shore : July 24–30

Register online at

ImpactMissionCamps.org

BGAV PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

by Ron Gravatt Summer. 1951. An unaccompanied four-year-old, not having found any of the neighborhood kids to play with, was crossing Hanover Avenue in Richmond, Virginia, in order to return to his apartment home. He stepped into the street, and then, remembering the admonition to “look both ways before crossing the street,” looked to his right, and, still moving, started to look to his left when he was struck by a car turning the corner…

Winter. 1955. A seven-year-old is taking an evening bath. In front of him on a small ledge, there is a natural gas water heater.

The flame in the water heater suddenly goes out, but the gas continues to flow. The boy’s lungs fill with gas, and soon, they stop functioning at all…

Spring. 1964. A seventeen-year-old, accompanied by a fellow worker, is returning home along a four-lane divided highway after a half-day shift at a fast-food restaurant. In the westbound lane, a car also with two occupants, swerves for some reason, crosses the median strip, is suddenly in both eastbound lanes, perpendicular to the traffic, and is moving toward the first car— sideways. The force of the impact snaps the motor-mounts and sends the engine into the fire-wall, cracking it. Three of the four are hospitalized…

RON GRAVATT is the 2022 BGAV President.

During this pandemic many have asked, especially upon losing loved ones, “Why, Lord, were they not spared?”

I have often asked the affirmative form of that very question, “Why, Lord, have I been spared?” And, frankly, I do not know.

Fall. 1971. New job. Rushing back to work. Traveling west at 60 mph in a 50 mph zone. The right front tire drifts off to the shoulder, hits a low spot at a turnoff where other vehicles have worn down the lime-rock and sends the car sideways down the two-lane highway. Upon impact, a 14x14-inch bridge corner post of steel-reinforced concrete is pitched down an embankment before the car comes to rest…

What I do know is that, like Job, I was not present at the creation of all things; that God’s ways are not always our ways; that he sees a much grander picture for his children; and that “all things work together for good to them that love God.” My conviction is that all Christians have purpose, reasons for being who, what, and where we are.

The Old Testament prophets repeatedly called for meeting the needs of widows, orphans, and aliens. Downward economic spirals, the epidemic, the cessation of a 20-year-long war, and growing political strife have created many more of these. So, pause a moment to thank God for all that you have and are, ask him for the power to see what and whom you have not seen before, step out in faith, and begin anew to love and serve the ones Jesus called “the least of these my brethren.”

Near the Richmond cemetery plot where several members of the generation of my maternal grandparents are buried, there is a tombstone of a child who died at the age of three. He and I were born on exactly the same date, 28 March 1947. As the survivor of all four life-threatening scenarios described above, I have outlived him by seven decades. But why, exactly, have I done so?

While we do not claim to have all the answers or resources at our disposal, the BGAV staff and officers stand ready to assist you and your church anywhere along your path of service. May God bless you as you seek his will as your purpose in life!

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Read the following pages for key information from the 2021 annual meeting.

BGAV President Adam Tyler moderates the Wednesday business session.

BGAV Executive Director presents the new officers for 2021– 2022 during Wednesday’s business session: Ron Gravatt, president; Herbert Ponder, first vice president; Ellen Gwathmey, second vice president; and Nathan Taylor, clerk.

ASCENDING

TOGETHER

The Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) held its 198th Annual Meeting in a virtual-only format on November 9-10, 2021, with live-streamed worship, breakout sessions, and a business session focused on the theme “Mountain of Healing” and scripture from Isaiah 2:1-5.An estimated 550 messengers and guests participated in one or more of the online sessions.

Becky McKinney was approved as chair of the Executive Board.

Mike Bradley, Shirley Cobb, Lora Gravatt, Tamara McBride, and Brian Taliaferro were all nominated and elected to serve on the Executive Board. Because of the abbreviated online format, only essential business was conducted via secure online voting by registered messengers.

Featured music included an original theme song, “Walking in the Light,” by Kate Campbell. Adam Tyler presided over the main gatherings and the business session. Howard-John Wesley, Pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church in Falls Church, VA, delivered a powerful sermon on Tuesday evening titled, “Stop Staring.”

In his annual report, BGAV Executive Director John Upton highlighted several innovations and ministries that have developed over the past year. At the end of the Tuesday, November 9, worship gathering, Upton announced his plan to retire effective July 31, 2022—concluding his tenure of 20 transformative years as executive director.

Messengers voted online to pass the 2022 budget, with Cooperative Missions allocations of $8,645,000. In 2021, the allocations totaled $9,100,000.

The 199th Annual Meeting of the BGAV will be held November 15-16, 2022in Hampton, VA.

Ron Gravatt, a member of Buena Vista Baptist Church in Buena Vista, VA, and current 1st Vice President, was nominated and elected to serve next year as President. Herbert Ponder, pastor of Mt. Tabor Baptist Church in Richmond, VA, was elected 1st Vice President. Additionally, messengers elected Ellen Gwathmey, member of Bruington Baptist Church, as 2nd Vice President, and Nathan Taylor, member of River Road Church, Baptist, was elected to serve as clerk. The body also duly elected new Mission Council members.

View Recordings of Tuesday’s Service and Breakout Sessions at

Meeting.BGAV.org 04:32 / 48:54

7

BGAV EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT INTRODUCES NEW MINISTRIES In this second year of pivoting and adjusting plans because of the Covid-19 pandemic, John Upton presented his annual Executive Director’s report in a video format aired during the 2021 Annual Meeting gathering on Tuesday evening, November 9. His overall message was one of hope—highlighting the new opportunities in missions and ministry made possible by the faithfulness of BGAV’s participating churches and the leadership and perseverance of the Executive Board and staff as they followed God’s call.

Despite the challenges and changes of the past year, Upton asserted that BGAV has not been idle. He highlighted several ministries that have taken shape over the past year and will continue to develop in 2022 and beyond. Two of those—Food for the Hungry (Nicaragua partnership) and AXIS (a training and resource network) are featured on pages 18–20 of this magazine.

ASCENDING TOGETHER THE MOUNTAIN OF

Food for the Hungry coordinators explain this new partnership with BGAV. Kathy Kruschwitz, AXIS program coordinator, describes the new ministry academy and resource network for church leaders.

healing

Clockwise from left: Howard-John Wesley tells viewers to “Stop Staring” during his powerful sermon; guest musician Kate Campbell performs her original song, “Walking in the Light,” for this year’s meeting; Kathy Kruschwitz, the host for Tuesday night’s service, talks with John Upton; BGAV office staff watch the prelude to the Tuesday night service.

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To watch the entire report, visit Meeting.BGAV.org/Videos

BGAV Executive Director John Upton (inset) announces his plans to retire as of July 2022.

At the end of his announcement, BGAV Executive Board Chair Becky McKinney joined Upton (right) to explain the search committee process for finding a new executive director.

BGAV EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT PLANS DURING 2021 ANNUAL MEETING At the conclusion of the Tuesday night worship gathering of the 198th Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) Annual Meeting on November 9, 2021, Rev. Dr. John Vincent Upton, Jr. announced his plans to retire as BGAV Executive Director effective July 31, 2022.

Upton joined the BGAV staff in 1995 as group leader for the BGAV (formerly Virginia Baptist Mission Board) mission mobilization group and was confirmed as Executive Director in November 2001,upon the impending retirement of Dr. Reginald McDonough. Prior to his time at BGAV, he pastored Urbanna Baptist Church in Urbanna, VA, served as a church planter in New Jersey,and worked as a missionary in Taiwan.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to have served the BGAV, Virginia Baptists, these past 27 years,” Upton said, as he spoke during the virtual-only, live-streamed event.

During Upton’s tenure as executive director, he has led the BGAV to become an internationally recognized leader in innovative missions and ministry efforts—changing not only its name, but also reimagining and expanding its identity while focusing on its unchanged mission: to advance the Kingdom of Christ.

After Upton’s public announcement, current Executive Board Chair Rebecca McKinney responded, “John, you have led us with grace, wisdom, and an ever-present sense of humor. You have built strong relationships all across the Commonwealth and the world based on mutual respect and a recognition that we are stronger when we work together to grow the Kingdom of God. And because of your faithfulness and commitment to the mission of the BGAV, we are uniquely positioned for the future.

We cannot thank you enough.” She then stated that a search team has been named and will begin their work immediately in order to seek out the next person God is calling to serve in this critical role.

“Thank you for trusting me for these past 20 years with this responsibility,” Upton concluded. “Though it is time for me to retire, what makes this announcement difficult for me is the days ahead will be some of the most exciting with some of the greatest potential. The next Executive Director will have the best staff in the world with whom to build that future.”

To watch the announcement, visit Meeting.BGAV.org/Videos 9

A NOTE ABOUT BGAV’S BUDGET FOR 2022

BY DAVID WASHBURN As we reflect on the past year and look ahead $12,449,045 to the year that awaits us, the local church continues to feel the effects of Covid-19. The challenges you have faced and the adjustments you have made bear witness to the creative, resilient spirit of Virginia Baptists. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do as part of the BGAV. The 2021 annual meeting was different yet similar, as we once again met virtually with both live and prerecorded segments.

Your participation created an event that highlighted the many ways BGAV churches and ministries have been and will continue to be a missionary movement of churches in 2022.

This included the approval of our 2022 budget of $8,645,000.

Since our founding in 1823, Virginia Baptists have generously participated in a shared mission to live out the unfolding story of our faith in Jesus Christ. Your generosity and commitment to Cooperative Missions enables us to be uniquely positioned to fulfill our calling to advance the Redeemer’s Kingdom.

You have so much to be proud of in the work the BGAV has accomplished thus far, and it is my hope and prayer you will come alongside your Virginia Baptist family and be part of a challenging and exciting 2022.

BGAV Treasurer David Washburn introduces the 2022 budget during the BGAV Annual Meeting in November 2021.

To watch the budget presentation, visit Meeting.BGAV.org/Videos

David Washburn is BGAV’s Treasurer.

BGAV

$5,696,375

Ministry Resources

+

$6,752,670

Cooperative Missions

Designated Gifts

$5,696,375

$3,124,345

avid Washburn, BGAV Treasurer

n 1823, Virginia Baptists rticipated in a shared the unfolding story of Christ. Your generosity Cooperative Missions niquely positioned to dvance the Redeemer’s o much to be proud of has accomplished thus nd prayer you will come a Baptist family and be and exciting 2022.

Camp & Conference Center Registration Revenue +

L TOTA

Program Revenue

$2,315,746

= $12,449,0 4

+

$1,116,387

• Kairos/Collegiate Ministry • Pastor Networking & Leadership Development

2022 BGAV Ministry Emphasis

$8,645,000

• Pastor/Staff Transition and Assistance for Matching Churches & Ministers

$12,449,045

• Children’s Ministry & Youth Ministry

DEVELOPING

VIRGINIA MISSIONS & MINISTRIES (BGAV) $5,696,375

6%

$196,192

5

2022 Proposed Cooperative Missions Budget Allocation

BGAV PARTNERS IN VIRGINIA $528,025

Other Income +

48%

66%

SENDING

10%

WORLD MISSION CAUSES $2,420,600

PLANTING RESOURCING

18%

24%

28%

• Disaster Response • Partnership Missions

BGAV PARTNERS IN VIRGINIA Averett University ............................................... $100 Baptist Extension Board.........................................$1 Bluefield College ...........................................$38,236 Center for Baptist Heritage and Studies....$71,250 Fork Union Military Academy ........................... $100 GraceInside ....................................................$42,289 Hargrave Military Academy .............................. $100 HopeTree Family Services .............................$32,551 LifeSpire of Virginia ........................................... $100 Oak Hill Academy.......................................... $15,628 Virginia Baptist Foundation.............................. $100 Virginia Baptist Historical Society ............... $27,571 Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia .... $300,000

• V3/Church Planting

• Impact Mission Camps

• Fresh Expressions/ Innovative Discipleship

• BGAV Annual Meeting

• Multisites

• Emergency Assistance for Ministers • Church Staff Benefit Support • Retiree Benefits

2022 WORLD MISSION CAUSES WM1 - Distributed according to the Southern Baptist Convention Budget

TOTAL ANTICIPATED GIVING

WM2 - Distributed according to BGAV approved items which may include Virginia, national, and international ministries

Cooperative Missions Budget Allocation BGAV Ministry Resources Special Offerings (estimated)

WM3 - Distributed according to the Kingdom Advance New Initiatives budget

$8,645,000 $6,752,670 $3,825,500

$19,223,170

The overall budget graphic above depicts the total of BGAV’s 2022 Cooperative Missions budget totaling $8,645,000 as well as additional revenue sources to equal a total anticipated giving of $19,223,170. For copies of this graphic as part of the 2022 budget brochure, please contact the BGAV Treasurer’s Office at 800.255.2428.

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100 YEARS AS THE LIGHTHOUSE ON THE HILL “This college will be a powerful lighthouse for the youth to whom no college had come before.”

-1923 Baptist General Association of Virginia Report In 1919, the Baptist General Association of Virginia appointed a committee to study the need for a junior college in southwestern Virginia. The committee met in Bristol, Virginia, in August of that year, at which time a large group of citizens from Bluefield and vicinity came before the committee and generously offered $75,000 and 65 acres of land if the Association would locate the proposed college in Bluefield. At the meeting of the Baptist General Association in November of 1919, the committee recommended the Bluefield offer be accepted. In September of 1922, the institution opened its doors to students seeking Christian higher education in southwestern Virginia.

On August 18, 2021, as the institution reflected on its founding during the annual President’s Convocation and the ceremonial beginning of the institution’s centennial celebration, President David Olive and Board of Trustees Chairman Mr. Todd Asbury ’93, made the exciting announcement that day that the institution will now be known as Bluefield University.

100 years later, the institution remains “a Christ-centered learning community developing servant leaders to transform the world.” Bluefield University continues to be proud of and devoted to its relationship with the BGAV and endures to equip and train the next generation to serve and transform the world as demonstrated best through the actions of its students and the accomplishments and testimonies of its alumni.

Learn more about Bluefield University at

bluefield.edu Learn more about the history of Bluefield University at bluefield.edu/100-years/

The “after” photo of a house repaired by Disaster Response teams in southwest Virginia.

BGAV DISASTER RESPONSE UPDATE FROM HURLEY, VA

BY GLENN MADDOX Family members assess the damage to their house from catastrophic flooding in southwest Virginia.

In Disaster Response (DR), a common saying is, “All disasters are local.” BGAV DR’s current response in a small town in southwest Virginia is revealing that statement to be accurate, as local churches are taking the lead in restoring hope to their neighbors in a nearby community.

flood waters receded, Grundy Baptist Church was opening their doors to volunteers for feeding at the shelter in Hurley and have remained the base of operations for VBDR volunteers to serve during cleanup and rebuild. Butch Meredith, VBDR construction coordinator, has spent significant time in Hurley assessing homes for repair and ensuring volunteers are able to safely restore homes. But a lot of the heavy lifting has been local church response. Southwest Virginia churches like Rosedale Baptist and First Baptist Church of Nickelsville have worked tirelessly to help their neighbors return to their homes. Volunteers have come from across the state to serve— some returning multiple times. And churches and individuals from across the state have given over $30,000 to support the response.

After torrential rains brought severe flooding and destroyed over 100 homes and dozens of bridges in Hurley, VA, this summer, community members had a hundred different challenges all at once. The state approved emergency support for Hurley, but FEMA denied the application for individual assistance because the “impact to the individuals and households…was not of such severity and magnitude to warrant the designation of Individual Assistance.” The guidelines FEMA uses in evaluating requests for assistance often work against small communities.

So while the community appeals the decision, people are living in flood-damaged homes or living with family until their homes are repaired. But as they wait with hope of support they may never receive, donors and volunteers are filling the gap. Add to the mix the challenges of responding during a pandemic, and the response has been truly miraculous.

Each disaster shows us again the truth that “all disasters are local.” With Covid limiting the ability of volunteers to respond, we are even more aware of the local nature of disasters now.

Local churches that were prepared to serve have been able to do more than anyone might have expected, with the support of a few volunteers from other communities filling in gaps.

The people of the community are resilient and are working to restore what was lost. BGAV DR is grateful for the churches and individuals coming alongside them to help them return to their homes.

Without FEMA support, the community’s Long-Term Recovery Group is moving ahead with repairs and fundraising efforts to cover the costs. The United Way is handling recovery funds and has already nearly reached their donation goal of $500,000, thanks to gifts from Food City, a local foundation, the local hospital, inmates at Pocahontas State Correctional Center, and individual donors.

Virginia Baptist churches and volunteers have been heavily involved in the response as well. Almost immediately after the

Glenn Maddox is BGAV’s National Mission Director.

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VOLUNTEER WITH DISASTER RESPONSE If you would like to support rebuild efforts in Hurley, visit BGAVDR.org.

If you would like to help your church prepare to respond locally or wherever disasters strike, join us for training at Mission Matters, March 5 in Richmond. Register online at BGAV.org/events. Group rates available for churches.

JESUS STORYTELLER Study of Luke

Parables are stories that contain additional truth below the surface.

In other words, the parable appears to be a simple story but has several layers of truth associated with it.

Jesus used parables to relate to the people living 2,000 years ago, but these stories are timeless truths and still apply just as powerfully to us today.

Download a free lesson at gc2press.org

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CONGRATS TO OUR 2021–2022 RECIPIENTS! BGAV College Scholarships Claire Batley

Glynncarynn Croxton

Ethan McManamey

Richard Beale VI

Hannah Dankenbring

Tyler Miller

Avery Betz

Emily Dankenbring

Morgan Miller

Calvina Birch

Katie Duffett

Kasey Mize

Molly Blanchard

Josiah Elmore

Sidney Rudolph

Jenna Bramblet

Jordan Gallimore

Micah Schneider

Chelsea Brennan

Claire King

Kayla Schneider

Grace Brown

Calvin Kramer

Hannah Shockley

Adam Caldwell

Constanza Mangieri

Timothy Sloane

Garrett Croxton

Emi McManamey

Neisha Smith

Harmony Grove Baptist Church Topping,VA Major: Elementary Education

Salem Baptist Church Milford,VA Major: Mechanical Engineering

Mathews Baptist Church Hudgins,VA Major: Undergraduate, Teacher Licensure

Lighthouse International Church Henrico,VA Major: Psychology

Richmond’s First Baptist Church Richmond,VA Major: Communication Arts

Coan Baptist Church Heathsville,VA Major: Interior Design

Chesterfield Baptist Church Mosley,VA Major: Anthropology and History

Highlands Fellowship Bristol,VA Major: Ministry Leadership

Corinth Baptist Church New Kent,VA Major: Kinesiology

Beech Grove Baptist Church White Marsh,VA Major: Associate’s Degree

Beech Grove Baptist Church Gloucester,VA Major: Bachelor’s Degree

Second Baptist Church Petersburg,VA Major: Nursing

Second Baptist Church Petersburg,VA Major: Nursing

First Baptist Church Alexandria,VA Major: Biological Sciences and Clinical Neuroscience Rosalind Hills Baptist Church Roanoke,VA Major: Sports Media

Halesford Baptist Church Hardy,VA Major: Social Work with a minor in Global Studies Chestnut Grove Baptist Church Earlysville,VA Major: Geography and American Studies

Mathews Baptist Church Hudgins,VA Major: Aerospace Engineering

Hillendale Baptist Church Dale City,VA Major: Nursing

Chestnut Hill Baptist Church Lynchburg,VA Major: Bachelor’s Degree

Chestnut Hill Baptist Church Lynchburg,VA Major: Aerospace Engineering

West Lynchburg Baptist Church Lynchburg,VA Major: Health and Exercise Science

Shalom Baptist Church Mechanicsville,VA Major: Bachelor’s Degree

Warrenton Baptist Church Warrenton,VA Major: Physical Therapy (DPT)

Beulah Baptist Church Aylett,VA Major: Nursing

Northside Baptist Church Mechanicsville,VA Major: Bachelor’s Degree

Northside Baptist Church Mechanicsville,VA Major: Media Arts and Design, Communications First Baptist Church Bluefield,WV Major: Bachelor of Science

Melrose Baptist Church Roanoke,VA Major: Interdisciplinary Studies

Highlands Fellowship Bristol,VA Major: Ministerial Leadership

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

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BGAV College Scholarships, continued MJ Stretton

Susanna Watts

Dianna Winn

Annabelle Terry

Fralin Widener

Bailey Wright

Jessica Thomas

Micah Willard

Chancellor Baptist Church Spotsylvania,VA Major: Bachelor of Science

Scottsburg Baptist Church Scottsburg,VA Major: Youth Ministry/Christian Leadership

Greenville Baptist Church Greenville,VA Major: Bachelor’s Degree with Teacher Certification Azalea Baptist Church Norfolk,VA Major: Exercise Physiology

Halesford Baptist Church Wirtz, VA Major: Mathematical Engineering

Beulah Baptist Church Rocky Mount,VA Major: Bachelor’s Degree

West Lynchburg Baptist Church Lynchburg,VA Major: Business

Cool Spring Baptist Church Mechanicsville,VA Major: Forensic Sciences

BGAV Ministerial Education Funds William Cumbia

Keli Miller

John Pollock

Joel Elmore

Bethany Mullins

James Temple, III

Jeremiah Hurst

Rachel Pierce

Austin Williams

Tabernacle Baptist Church Richmond,VA Focus: Missions

Mill Creek Baptist Church Fincastle,VA Focus: Youth

First Baptist Church Ashland,VA Focus: Missions

Grace Capital City Washington,DC Focus: Ministry

New Highland Baptist Church Mechanicsville,VA Focus: Missions

First Baptist Church Ashland,VA Focus: Music

Freedom Life Church Hampton,VA Focus: Christian Education

Hillsboro Baptist Church Crozet,VA Focus: Preaching/Pastoral

Mulberry Grove Baptist Church Buckingham,VA Focus: Student (College)

Brendan Jamieson

All Souls Charlottesville Charlottesville,VA Focus: Preaching/Pastoral

baptist general association of virginia

SCHOLARSHIPS & MINISTERIAL EDUCATION FUNDS

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For more information, visit BGAV.org/Scholarships

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

your future

awaits

Apply Today! BGAV.org/Scholarships Application Deadline: April 1, 2022 baptist general association of virginia

SCHOLARSHIPS & MINISTERIAL EDUCATION FUNDS

John Buckner, Barry Green, and Grant Frederick lead a sing-along during the retreat.

The Greens lead a special dance for participants.

Mary Buckner, retreat coordinator, welcomes attendees to the virtual retreat.

Eagle Eyrie’s 2021 Special Needs Retreat Connects Friends Online

by Baylor May The Special Needs Retreat is one of Eagle Eyrie’s most impactful events of the year. For so many friends with disabilities, this event is a unique opportunity to reconnect over fun music and learn about God’s love! While this year’s retreat was hosted virtually, it involved some of the same memorable activities, including an exciting dance on Saturday night with the Green family. Additionally, Mary Buckner gave a warm welcome and Nick Deere, pastor of Broadus Memorial Baptist Church (Charlottesville, VA), led powerful devotionals during each of the two sessions.

It is evident that God used this year’s virtual retreat to encourage special needs friends in new ways by providing a sense of community with each other and extending a warm reminder of God’s never ending love. Special thanks for putting this together goes to Mary and Mark Buckner, Barry and Ann Green, Nicholas Deere, Grant Frederick, Sheri Crawford, Jon Buckner, Ruth Nethery, and Meredith Green.

Eagle Eyrie invites you to mark your calendar for next year’s Special Needs Retreat on October 21-23, 2022, and to visit our website for other opportunities for retreats and conferences!

So far, there have been 185 participant views with many expressing how this year’s virtual retreat has blessed them.

One participant commented, “Thank you! We loved seeing the Buckners and the pictures of our retreat friends, the sing along, the worship, and the dance. The Greens are so personable. God willing, the fun will continue in person in 2022!”

For more than 50 years, Eagle Eyrie has been a vibrant location for spiritual renewal and rest for church members and leaders within BGAV and beyond.

Baylor May is the Assistant Director of Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center in Lynchburg, VA. 17

BGAV Launches AXIS: A Ministry Academy and Training Network Ministry during a pandemic? Engaging children and families?

Maintaining volunteers? Staying connected during times of isolation? Do you strive to do your best in the ministries God has called you to—but desire to be better equipped?

Each Certificate requires a total often courses including four core, four required, and two electives. Core courses provide a broad foundation in areas critical to an understanding and development of ministerial skills and topics.

The Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) announces the launch of AXIS, a ministry academy and training network designed to meet the needs of today’s church leaders, whoever and wherever they are.

Students who participate and wish to further their studies can connect their AXIS courses through dual enrollment toward an Advanced Certificate at Baylor University’s Truett Seminary.

Baylor University will also provide CEU’s for AXIS courses to students who request them.

AXIS provides high quality, accessible, and affordable practical ministry education for church leaders. Whether you’re a church staff member seeking continuing education or a lay leader being trained for the first time, AXIS has a path for you. You can choose to take individual courses or pursue a Certificate in one of four ministry focus areas: • Children’s Ministry • Youth Ministry • Family Ministry • Pastoral Leadership

Designed to meet the needs of church leaders wherever they are, AXIS courses provide opportunities for virtual instruction that is both personal and flexible. AXIS participants are more than just students; they belong to a fellowship of church leaders, growing together and transforming the world.

To register or learn more about how you can become part of the AXIS Network to build and develop your ministry skills, visit AXIStraining.org.

For more information, visit AXIStraining.org

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MINISTRY ACADEMY OVERVIEW Core Courses

(required for all certificates)

Being in Relationship Equipping and Empowering Disciples Nurturing a Spirit of Creativity Story of God

Certificate in Family Ministry

Required courses (choose 4): • Building Faith at Home • Developmental Ages and Stages • The Family of God • Family Ministry 101 • Models in Family Ministry

Elective courses (choose 2): • Choose any 2 elective courses from Children/Youth tracks

Certificate in Pastoral Leadership

Required courses: • Bible Study Basics • Pastoral Care • Sermon Preparation • Choose 1:  The Family of God  Leading Change

Elective courses (choose 2): • Church and Cultural Contexts • Creating Church and Community Partnerships • Curating Ministerial Resources • Facilitating Reconciliation • Financial Stewardship • Leveraging Conflict • Models in Family Ministry • Ordinances, Rituals, and Ceremonies • Team Building

Certificate in Children’s Ministry

Required courses (choose 4): • Children’s Ministry 101 • Developing and Sustaining Volunteer Leadership • Developmental Ages and Stages • The Family of God • Integrating Children into the Life of the Congregation

Elective courses (choose 2): • Bible Study Basics • Building Faith at Home • Creating Church and Community Partnerships • Curating Ministerial Resources • Inclusive and Supportive Children’s Ministry • Models in Family Ministry: • Techniques for Teaching Children • Techniques for Teaching Preschoolers

Certificate in Youth Ministry Required courses (choose 4): • Developing and Sustaining Volunteer Leadership • The Family of God • Guiding Youth to Discover the Bible • Spiritual Formation of Youth as Global Citizens • Youth Ministry 101 Elective courses (choose 2): • Church and Community Partnerships • Curating Ministerial Resources • Developmental Ages and Stages • Facilitating Reconciliation • Faith Formation in a Technological World • Fostering Discipleship Through Intergenerational Leadership and Service • Group Formation – Building a Caring Community of Youth • Ministry to Vulnerable Youth • Models in Family Ministry

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES Advanced Certificate Offered by Truett Seminary

Dual Enrollment Option: CCFOO – Orientation and Formation This course is taught through the Truett Seminary Online Certificate Program and serves as a dual enrollment course between BGAV and Truett Seminary. Participants who elect to take this course will receive credit through AXIS and credit towards an Advanced Certificate through Truett. This first course in the Truett Seminary Certificate Program is 8 weeks in duration and covers the subject of Spiritual Formation—the basic process by which Christians are formed spiritually. The course includes practices and understandings that can help Christians grow closer to God and live out their faith more vibrantly. In addition, the course teaches skills to help promote success in the Truett Certificate Program. For advanced participants, an optional set of assignments focused on a biblical study of the "Kingdom of God” in Matthew and Luke is available. For more information about the Advanced Certificate Program, visit Baylor.edu/truett/index.php?id=952491.

CEU Credit Available through Baylor University

Individuals who need CEUs for their jobs may obtain credit for any AXIS course. A registration fee is required by Baylor University in addition to AXIS course costs. Contact info@axistraining.org for more information.

Celebrate Kickoff Sunday for focus:poverty January 30, 2022 To make a positive difference in the world, the BGAV family is focusing on poverty in the Chinandega Region of Nicaragua.

As we introduced at the 2021 annual meeting, we have entered into a new partnership with Food for the Hungry (FH), an organization with a solid reputation for sustainable, mutually transforming community development. They work with local, indigenous leaders, engaging in community partnerships and child sponsorships. Their goal is “to graduate communities out of extreme poverty” based on a timeline of 7-10 years.

Already several BGAV churches have entered into partnerships with specific Chinandega communities. Grandin Court Baptist in Roanoke had the first launch Sunday on October 21. On December 5, East End Baptist in Suffolk and First Baptist Church of Alexandria will celebrate their respective launches.

Several more are preparing for launches in early 2022.

All our churches and individuals are invited to be a part of this effort, and there are four main pathways for being involved: 1. Prayer – Prayer keeps us centered in God’s leadership and helps us rise in faith to the task at hand. You can pray for the communities of Chinandega as well as for this partnership.

Pray that we could begin the new year with at least 100 BGAV churches participating at some level.

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2. Church-to-community partnerships – Your church can assist a specific community as they work toward graduating from extreme poverty. FH can facilitate mutually transformative service trips or visits for you to be with your community, in which you can engage with community members as they work toward building a sustainable future.

3. Child sponsor Sunday - Host a Child Sponsor Sunday for children from the region we partner with. The welfare of its children is a good indicator of a community’s health, and everyone is served when a community is able to care for its most vulnerable members. That’s why FH does much of its work through child sponsorships.

4. Invest in sustainable change – You can donate toward a specific development project in the Chinandega Region.

Will your church participate in the kickoff for focus:poverty on January 30? Sign up at BGAVmissions.org/focus-poverty and your church will receive instructions, materials, and child sponsor packets for engaging with the communities in Chinandega.

Please contact craig.waddell@bgav.org with questions.

Together for others--let’s make a difference!

Craig Waddell is BGAV’s Partnership Coordinator.

For more information, visit BGAVmissions.org/focus-poverty

AN IMPACT

year, we are able to support each other more than ever before, and that feeling made Impact’s work that much more powerful.

I will forever cherish my time on Impact staff this summer and the influence it has had on my life, and I hope that I get the opportunity to work with Impact again in the future.

RE:CREATED

Staff members share how a reimagined summer of missions left a lasting impact

SAMANTHA RICHARD, RETURNING STAFFER

As I entered my second year on Impact staff, I could not help but feel excited and overjoyed that we would be able to experience some version of “normal camp.” My first staff experience was all virtual, so knowing that I would be able to meet campers and connect with them in person made me thrilled to be returning as a staff member.

CHELSEA BRENNAN, FIRST-TIME STAFFER

This was my first year on staff for Impact Mission Camps. I had been a camper at Impact for the past six years, so at the start of the summer I was thrilled to try something new at the camp that had shaped my past summer experiences for so long.

Especially after missing out on a camp experience in 2020 due to Covid, I was excited to see how a whole summer at Impact could reinvigorate my relationship with God and help me to grow even closer to him.

Being that this year our theme was “Re:Created,” I felt a sense of hope that our world has been and is still slowly returning back to normal. During the pandemic, it was very difficult for me as a junior in college to grow more in my faith, due to my school being shut down for the spring semester. During this summer of Impact Re:Created, I was able to see how God was working through the pandemic by realizing how much I had grown in these past 18 months.

The theme for Impact this year could not have been more perfect in regards to what we all experienced over the past year and a half. Following the verses from 2 Corinthians 4:16-17, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,” the theme was titled “Re:Created”. Throughout the summer, all of the passages we studied and messages given focused on how God has been using this time at Impact as a chance for each of us to renew ourselves through his guidance and refresh his kingdom through mission work.

One specific instance this summer that was my turning point into diving deeper into my faith was a conversation I had with one of the owners of the homes that our campers were working on. I was able to sit and talk with her for about an hour, and hearing her speak so boldly about her faith in God really made me want to do that as well. She was so appreciative of the work that our campers were able to provide her and spoke with me about her entire faith journey. Seeing how the Lord worked in her life and how he gave her that same confidence he gave me to share His love with others made me feel that I definitely made the right decision by being on staff again this year. This particular conversation during camp opened the door for me to be able to share my love for God to nonbelievers or skeptics, which is something I have struggled with in the past. Over the course of the pandemic, God has been working in my heart to prepare me to be on staff by giving me the confidence to speak out about my faith proudly.

The theme of Re:Created and its corresponding passage really resonated with me specifically, because I truly felt that I had lost everything during Covid. As a member of the graduating class of 2020 and a college freshman from fall 2020 to spring 2021, I missed out on a lot of the things I had looked forward to, such as prom, graduation, freshman orientation, college football, and so much more. Along with all of these disappointments, I felt my faith slip into the background of my life. I couldn’t seem to understand what purpose God had for all of this suffering, until he led me to serving on staff.

Impact taught me, along with the campers that attended, the value of hard work and what it looks like to share God’s love in a practical way. These campers volunteered all week to do something for an individual who could not do it themselves which exemplifies the love that Christ has for all of us. The work that these campers completed means so much to the homeowners and it gives them hope of a bright future in our world with these students leading the way.

This summer taught me that God has a reason and a purpose in everything we go through. I felt myself being recreated and renewed each day at camp, and I saw how my experiences during quarantine helped me in connecting with campers and making their experience at Impact even more personal. I was finally able to understand that even through this horrible experience, God was able to use a small portion of it for good.

By all going through much of the same struggles during the past

Get more information about joining the Impact summer staff team and apply at ImpactMissionCamps.org/staff.

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For more information, visit ImpactMissionCamps.org

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN ADVERSITY THREATENS YOUR SECURITY? YOUR HEALTH? YOUR RELATIONSHIPS? OR EVEN YOUR LIFE?

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

10 STORIES. 5 WEEKS. 1 LIFE-CHANGING SERIES. COMING 2022. Learn more at vbfinc.org/unstoppable

LATEST MINISTRY JOBS •

Pastor, Mechanicsville Baptist Church, Gordonsville, VA

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Summer Youth Internship, Bonsack Baptist Church, Roanoke, VA

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Interim Director of Children’s Ministry, Berea Baptist Church, Rockville, VA

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Minister of Music, Taylor Road Baptist Church, Chesapeake, VA

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Marketing Communications Specialist, St John Baptist Church, Columbia, MD

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Pastor, Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church, Richmond, VA

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Family Minister, Shalom Baptist Church, Mechanicsville, VA

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Youth Minister, Hulls Memorial Baptist Church, Fredericksburg, VA

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Senior Pastor, Amherst Baptist Church, Amherst, VA

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Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dillwyn, VA

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Music Leader, Concord Baptist Church, Ruther Glen, VA

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Worship, Music & Arts Pastoral Residency, Columbia Baptist Church, Falls Church, VA

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Children’s Ministry Pastoral Residency, Columbia Baptist Church, Falls Church, VA

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Student Ministry Pastoral Residency, Columbia Baptist Church, Falls Church, VA

Stay Connected with Your BGAV Family!

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

Visit BGAV.org Our website features the latest news and resources for your ministries, as well as the latest ministry jobs available.

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

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

Follow Us on Social Media!

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Share #YourChurchThriving We’d love to hear stories and testimonials of #YourChurchThriving! Give us a call at 800.255.2428 or email Jennifer Law, marketing team associate, at jennifer.law@bgav.org.

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NEW FROM BGAV:

MARKETING AND DIGITAL MINISTRY TOOLS FOR YOUR CHURCH! BGAV is now offering new ways for your church to reach your congregation and community using digital channels— customized just for you!

Enhance Your Digital Presence Online BGAV has partnered with First Door Marketing to offer churches an affordable option in creating and enhancing their digital presence. Get more engagement, grow viewers and members, and increase revenue for your ministry with these fully-supported services in social media marketing and website development.

ChurchPoint: A Custom App for Your Church BGAV has partnered with Here I Am to develop an affordable smartphone app that churches can use to connect with their congregation! This app is easy to get started with and can be used for member-building, community engagement, and event promotion. To learn more about the app – you can watch a demo video below and then sign up for a 30-minute consultation and demo.

ChurchPoint by BGAV Get started now:

BGAV.org/Marketing

A Custom App for Your Church!

Get it now: