BGAV Elects New Executive Director Approves Budget at 199th Annual Meeting

BGAV Elects New Executive Director, Approves Budget at 199th Annual Meeting

Gary Long interviews Carey Nieuwhof as part of the livestream broadcast.

On November 14, 2022, the 199th meeting of the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) opened at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, VA, with the Pastor’s Conference and initial breakout sessions.

After two years of virtual meetings because of the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s annual meeting was the first to be held in a truly hybrid model, with nearly 600 in attendance in person and countless others joining online, through BGAV’s own ChurchPoint app and the event website.

Monday evening, hundreds gathered at First Baptist Church of Newport News, VA, to celebrate John Upton, who retired this past July. Attendees shared in an evening of music and memories in recognition of 27 years of Upton’s service at BGAV, the last 20 as executive director.

The evening concluded with Wayne Faison, the candidate to succeed Upton, leading a prayer of blessing for Upton and his wife, Deborah.

The initial business session of the meeting began on Tuesday morning with Ronald Gravatt presiding. Also starting that morning, virtual attendees watched live coverage of the in-person events and proceedings in a livestreamed broadcast hosted by Gary Long, chief marketing officer for BGAV/ Ascent, and enjoyed extras such as live interviews with program personnel, keynote speakers, and event sponsors.

Messengers approved committees for 2023. Treasurer David Washburn gave an update on the 2022 budget, reporting that as of September more than 89% of the current year’s budget had been met.

“This has been another challenging year for the entire Virginia Baptist family,” said Washburn. “Please accept my deepest appreciation, and thank you for your faithfulness.”

The executive board announced that BGAV will include two new days of special observance going forward: June 20 will be World Refugee Day, and October 17 will be World Poverty Day.

Attendees then shared in a time of recognition of retired executive director, John Upton. Executive Board Chair Becky McKinney offered a resolution of appreciation and introduced the unveiling of a portrait of Upton. The picture, painted by artist Stanley Rayfield, will hang in the BGAV office building in Richmond alongside those of other former executive directors.

“He worked a miracle,” said Upton, with enthusiasm of Rayfield, who also recently painted the portrait of former governor Ralph Northam. “Art is the vehicle that God uses to build a bridge to our hearts,” he concluded.

Washburn then spoke about a legacy gift that he and others are spearheading in honor of Upton’s retirement. Washburn said it was Upton’s wish to raise $1,000,000 to support an initiative BGAV has been creating for nearly six years, called Ascent. Ascent is a movement of churches within and beyond BGAV to re-energize and re-engage North America with the Gospel of Christ.

Washburn reported that so far, individuals and churches have given $275,000 toward the million-dollar goal, which they hope to reach by next year’s historic bicentennial annual meeting in Richmond.

Messengers voted on amendments to BGAV’s constitution and bylaws. Amendments addressed the need to allow people attending virtual meetings in the future to vote remotely/ electronically. They also included some adjustments to the ways in which Mission Council members are voted on between sessions and the timing of regional cluster meetings.

The executive director search team officially nominated Wayne Faison to be the next executive director. Adam Tyler represented the committee in announcing Faison as the proposed candidate.

“We approached several candidates,” said Tyler. “Wayne came highly recommended. He has served for 21 years with BGAV. He is passionate about the work of BGAV. He is uniquely qualified and called to lead,” he concluded.

Valerie Carter Smith, president of Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia (WMUV), then joined BGAV Executive Board Chair Becky McKinney to renew the covenant that WMUV has with BGAV. The two groups have worked together since the late 1800s, and the covenant is updated every five years.

“We work together,” said Smith, “for the purpose of missions.”

In the last business matter on Tuesday, Washburn presented the proposed 2023 BGAV budget at just over $8.2 million, down slightly from last year’s $8.6 million.

BGAV Treasurer David Washburn presents the 2023 budget for approval.

Business concluded the next morning. The 2023 budget, proposed in Tuesday’s business session and discussed in a breakout that afternoon, passed with no opposition. Messengers also approved all proposed constitution/bylaw amendments.

Next, Tyler brought Faison to the platform. Faison was approved by the executive board in August as the search committee’s nominee, so the final step in his election was an in-person vote at the annual meeting. Following Tyler’s motion, messengers unanimously elected Faison to the leadership role.

Executive Director Search Committee member Brooke Blake leads a prayer for newly elected BGAV Executive Director Wayne Faison as his wife, Carmen, and other search committee members stand with him on stage.

Attendees in Wednesday morning’s main session participate in the prayer for newly elected Executive Director Wayne Faison.

Shortly after being elected, Faison said, “God has called me to BGAV to keep hope alive! When we are able to recognize God for who he is, then we are able to keep hope alive.”

Faison said that his acceptance of the nomination was “a matching of callings. As the Lord was working with the search team, the Lord was also working with me. I don’t take this honor for granted.”

Also in Wednesday’s business session, messengers elected new leadership for 2023. Herbert Ponder, senior pastor of Mount Tabor Baptist Church in Richmond, VA, was elected president.

BGAV officers for 2023 are Herbert Ponder (president), Becky McKinney (first vice-president), Mark Hughes (second vicepresident), and Nathan Taylor (clerk).

McKinney, member of Chatham Heights Baptist Church in Martinsville, VA, was elected as first vice-president. She was also honored at the event as the outgoing chair of the executive board.

Mark Hughes, pastor of West End Baptist Church in Dinwiddie, was elected second vice-president. Nathan Taylor, executive director of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society, was also elected to continue as clerk for the next year.

BGAV’s bicentennial meeting will be held November 13-15, 2023, at Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Glen Allen.