VOL 3, ISSUE 4
FALL 2018
Celebrating 25 Years of // pg 9
The Latest from Disaster Response Read the latest on DR’s wrap-up in TX and its response in NC
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VBS Redefined See how several churches across the state have redefined what (and where) VBS is 16
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Congrats to Our Scholarship Recipients View our 2018–2019 recipients 23
“LIVING THE STORY” by John Upton
JOHN UPTON is the Executive Director of the BGAV.
I took our theme of the BGAV annual meeting this year, “Living the Story,” and applied it to one of my favorite gospel stories: the story of Zacchaeus. I wondered what “Living the Story” could mean for us. I found the result inspiring. You know this story; it was my favorite as a little boy, because it came with a fun song. Who doesn’t love the words, “Zacchaeus was a wee little man, a wee little man was he; he climbed up in a sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see; and when the Savior passed that way, he looked into the tree and said, ‘Zacchaeus, you come down. I’m going to your house today; I’m going to your house today.’” Little kids love Zacchaeus. He is relatable to them. Zacchaeus knew what it was like not to be able to see through the big people around him. He knew what it was like to climb a tree; and furthermore, he knew the joy of somebody coming over for lunch. Sunday School kids may like him, but his neighbors definitely didn’t. To them, he was a traitor and a little jerk. Zacchaeus was an agent of Rome, and he had given himself to pulling heavy taxes from his own people for Rome. He even took extra for himself. The town hated him. Wouldn’t you? It makes us want to ask why anyone would do that. Maybe he is getting even in some way for wrongs done to him all his life for being small. Maybe he takes a gleeful kind of pleasure in ripping them off. Then a day came when the news began to fly through the city that Jesus of Nazareth was passing through. Jesus—the great worker of miracles, a notoriously controversial prophet, and, get this, one who was rumored to be friends with tax collectors and other designated sinners. And whether those rumors were true or not, Zacchaeus wanted to see what Jesus looked like. The streets were filled up, and his view was blocked. So he ran and scrambled up a sycamore tree to see the famous man. It was not a dignified thing for a grown man to do in that day. Some people were looking and smirking, but by that point, he didn’t care. He was too short to be on the ground with them.
So along came Jesus, and, there he was, walking. He was walking at a pretty good clip—walking like he had someplace to be. Suddenly, he stopped—right beneath the tree. He looked up and he smiled, and he said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down, I must go to your house today.” “He knows my name?” thought Zacchaeus. It must have knocked him half way off the branch, leaving him hanging downwards. He didn’t even notice what was falling out of his pockets. He hurried down indeed, and there he stood and uttered, “You are coming to my house?” “Yes, your house.” “Am I in trouble?” Zacchaeus must have thought. “Let me be your guest; I want you to be my host.” Can you imagine what the people were saying as they watched them stroll off together to the house? “There he goes, off to dinner again with sinners.” Jesus said nothing in return. Zacchaeus laid out a feast. I wonder what was said at the table? At some point, Zacchaeus must have risen to make his surprise announcement. “Half of all I own I am giving to the poor, and to anyone I have cheated, I am giving back times four.” Jesus did not tell him to do this. He didn’t even sound tormented with remorse or guilt. What he sounded like was someone who was now free. Zacchaeus used his joy to do what was right. For the first time in a long time he saw his neighbors as people who were like him. Someone once said that Jesus placed a crown over his life that day, and he would spend the rest of his years growing tall enough to wear it. So, what does “Living the Story” mean here? For me, it means many of us are sitting in our sycamore tree. It is a good place to be. We are waiting, we are aching up here, or perhaps we’ve almost forgotten what our hearts are longing for. But Jesus stops, looks up, smiles and calls us by name. He says, “Come down here and let me be your guest.” Maybe wholeness can come to our home today—to our church today—to our world today. Maybe we’ve been given a crown as well—one we will spend the rest of our lives growing tall enough to wear. I can’t wait to see how God will use the annual meeting of the BGAV this year to help us understand what it means to truly be “Living the Story.”
4 // BGAV News & Notes 7 // BGAV Church Spotlight 8 // Because of You 9 // Celebrating 25 Years of Impact 14 // Disaster Response Wrap-up: Liberty, Texas 16 // Danville Church Brings VBS to Lisu Children in Richmond 18 // Community-based VBS: How Five Churches Came Together to Reach More People
// pg 9
Celebrating 25 Years of
20 // Updates from the Source of Light Center, Haiti 22 // Missions Connection Celebration: A Pastor’s Reflection 23 // 2018–2019 BGAV Scholarship Recipients 27 // Latest Ministry Jobs
BGAV Advancing the Kingdom Together
ISSN 2573-5101 (print) ISSN 2573-511X (online)
A publication of the Baptist General Association of Virginia Volume 3, Issue 4 Fall 2018 BGAV Express is published quarterly by the Baptist General Association of Virginia, 2828 Emerywood Parkway, Henrico, VA 23294.
Send subscription requests and address changes to: Nathan White nathan.white@bgav.org 800.255.2428, ext. 1206 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 & BGAV EXPRESS EDITOR: Nathan White ART DIRECTOR: Meghan Wilson ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Jennifer Law
Jeff Cranford Announces Retirement
BGAV-affiliated Schools Ranked Among Top Colleges in South
Jeff Cranford, field strategist for the Central region and senior compensation planning specialist, has announced his plan to retire from the BGAV effective March 1, 2019. Jeff began with the BGAV in February, 1999 and has reached many across the BGAV with his financial seminars. Beginning March 1, Cranford will serve as a Minister in Residence for Church Finance to assist churches with compensation-related questions.
Both Averett University and Bluefield College were ranked among the Best Regional Colleges in the South in U.S. News and World Report’s rankings for 2018. Only 59 colleges in the South region made the list, with Bluefield ranked 43rd and Averett moving up to the no. 13 best regional liberal arts college.
“It’s been a great blessing to serve with him over these past years,” Susan McBride, Congregational Field Staff Coordinator, said. “We wish him a happy retirement and thank him for his 20 years of service to the BGAV.”
“It is an honor to be included as a ‘Top Tier’ college in the South,” said Bluefield President Dr. David Olive. “The college is focused on preparing transformational servant leaders who understand their life calling and seek to impact a changing world. This designation is evidence of our gifted faculty and staff who make up this dynamic Christ-centered learning community.”
Additional BGAV Staff Updates
The BGAV welcomes Jennifer Law as Marketing Associate. She had previously assisted the Marketing team in various roles and will now serve in a full-time capacity. Jennifer can be reached at jennifer.law@bgav.org.
“Our rankings continue to climb each year in this esteemed list, thanks in large part to our sharp focus on enrollment, retention, and student success, all of which contribute to the growth in our university and therefore in our rankings,” said Averett President Dr. Tiffany M. Franks. “These accolades further solidify that our strategic initiatives are moving the university in the right direction.”
The BGAV also welcomes Paula Washburn as Team Operations Administrator for the Mission Development Staff. Her primary role is to assist Mission Development staff and volunteers as they do Kingdom work in Virginia and beyond. Paula can be reached at paula.washburn@bgav.org.
Additionally, both schools achieved high marks for Best Colleges for Veterans and Best Value Schools. Learn more at Averett.edu and Bluefield.edu.
Jennifer Law
Paula Washburn
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NEWS + NOTES
Complete list of events at BGAV.org/Events
Event Calendar October 2
4 5–6 6 6 6 8–11 11 12–14 15–16 19–21 22 22–24 23 23
The Chesapeake Dedicates “Cardinals Haven”
26–27 26–28
The Chesapeake, a LifeSpire of Virginia continuing care retirement community in Newport News, will hold a dedication ceremony Aug. 11 for Cardinals Haven — a private place for families of The Chesapeake’s residents to gather as their loved ones experience hospice, palliative, or end-of-life care. Families may also use Cardinals Haven when a loved one is at The Chesapeake for post-hospital care.
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Ministry Equipping Network: Teaching Techniques/ Approaches (online) Ministry Equipping Network: Bible Study Basics (online) AAFVA Duke Preaching Camp, Durham, NC Ministry Equipping Network: Children’s Ministry 101 (online) Ministry Equipping Network: Choosing/Evaluating Youth Curriculum (online) Ministry Equipping Network: Developmental Ages & Stages (online) Gathering of Silence, Lowesville, VA Ministry Equipping Network: Building Faith at Home (online) Ignite: A Retreat for Middle School Students, Lynchburg, VA Empower Class 505 - The Language of Coaching, Henrico, VA Special Needs Retreat, Lynchburg, VA Virginia Baptist Male Chorale Concert, Chantilly, VA Better Than Ever: Fifty-Plus Retreat, Lynchburg, VA Virginia Baptist Male Chorale Concert, Richmond, VA Ministry Equipping Network: Models of Family Ministry AAFVA Preaching Camp XVI, Suffolk, VA Kairos Collegiate/Young Adult Fall Gathering, Lynchburg, VA Empower Class 502 - Establishing a Dynamic Coaching Relationship, Ashland, VA
November 9–10
12–14
“Cardinals Haven includes a spacious living room and bathroom in The Chesapeake’s health care wing,” explained David Loop, The Chesapeake’s Executive Director. “It is outfitted with a desk, Wi-Fi, comfortable furniture, including a recliner and sleeper sofa, and a private outdoor patio. Our goal is to provide families whose loved ones are coming to the end of life with a private, comfortable place to reflect and remember.”
Virginia Church Library Association 60th Anniversary and Fall Conference, Richmond, VA 195th Annual Meeting of the BGAV, Glen Allen, VA
February 2019 8–9
Learn more at LifeSpireLiving.org. For more BGAV news, visit BGAV.org/News 5
Virginia Baptist Combined Handbell Festival, Glen Allen, VA
BGAV Annual Meeting November 12-14, 2018 Mount Vernon Baptist Church Glen Allen, VA
Guest Speaker
Check for updates:
Tod Bolsinger
BGAV.org/Meeting
Author of “Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory”
Registration online NOW! BGAV.org/Meeting
BGAV Advancing the Kingdom Together
BGAV CHURCH SPOTLIGHT Below are reports from several churches who’ve recently joined the BGAV. In the past decade, churches from inside and outside Virginia along with churches outside the US have become members of the BGAV because of their desire to connect with the engaging ministries, resources, and partnerships we offer. Please be in prayer for all our member churches—those who are new, those who’ve been around since 1823, and all who are in between. Arise RVA — Richmond, VA By Jeremy Chambers, pastor, Arise RVA The Arise Movement is a network/movement of missional communities (microchurches), primarily located in Richmond, VA, that function autonomously in reaching various neighborhoods, people groups, and cities. Each group is unique and has a particular people to serve, neighborhood to love, or cause to take up as they faithfully cultivate disciples and equip them to serve.
The Gospel Community Church-Rivermont worship team leads the congregation in a song of praise. Gospel Community Church – Rivermont — Lynchburg, VA By Andrew Moroz, teaching pastor, Gospel Community ChurchRivermont In 2017 Gospel Community Church merged with the historic Rivermont Avenue Baptist Church, becoming Gospel Community Church – Rivermont (GCCR). This has launched both churches into a new season of ministry. We are still navigating the changes, but we are grateful to God for new ministry opportunities and fruit.
As of 2018, new exciting developments include a new team forming in Florida, a new initiative forming in Norfolk, VA, and the possibility of another team developing in Ohio. In Richmond, right now, Arise is partnering with other leaders in the city to create a network of missional leaders across denominations who are focused on encouraging one another and partnering together to spread the hope and love of God’s Kingdom. We heard of the BGAV’s desire to be intentional in seeding the movement and multiplying disciples across this region, and we knew that partnership would be vital. A few people from the BGAV came alongside us and encouraged us at vital times, and slowly we have seen the relationships from the BGAV grow to be healthy, supportive, and beneficial to the hard work that we are doing.
GCCR exists to glorify God by making disciples who love God, grow in community, and reach out with the love of Jesus Christ. From the corner of Bedford and Rivermont Avenues in Lynchburg, VA, we worship Jesus and preach his gospel. Above all, we aim to bring glory to God, to equip followers of Christ, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide our ministry. On Sundays, you will find a predominantly contemporary worship service that contains aspects of traditional worship, liturgy, and prayer. During the week, we gather in community groups and serve our city. Throughout the year, we fulfill the Great Commission around the world through our global partners and church planters.
To learn more about Arise RVA, visit AriseRVA.com.
We partnered with the BGAV primarily because of the new initiatives and the missional vision of the association. We see this partnership mutually life-giving, as GCCR shares some of its resources while benefiting from the what BGAV has to offer. We trust that more people will be reached and discipled for Jesus. Learn more about Gospel Community Church – Rivermont at GospelCC.org. Arise RVA church members participate in Bible study.
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Because of
You...
…pastors and lay leaders from all over the state attended The Promise of the Small Church, first in Waynesboro and then in Appomattox. Dr. Chuck Warnock, pastor of Chatham Baptist Church, gave the keynote presentation. Attendees were given a free book and encouraged to form small groups for continued learning. Bookmark BGAV.org/Events for more training opportunities.
…children and youth flocked to Camp Piankatank for a fantastic summer filled with worship, Bible study, and fun on the Piankatank River. For the second year, the camp will be holding its Winter Blast February 15-17, 2019. Learn more at CampPiankatank.org.
…hundreds of students who completed grades 4-12 were able to go to Eagle Eyrie this summer for Music and Worship Arts Camp. The camp consists of worship times and special interest classes, as well as participation in a choral and/or instrumental ensemble. Watch for information in winter about next year’s camp! 8
“Impact” is the perfect word to describe this mission camp ministry over its 25-year history. Home repairs and improvements have impacted hundreds of residents’ lives; mission experiences have impacted thousands of students and leaders. In this section, we highlight three camperturned-staffers who have witnessed this transformative impact on both themselves and others.
Celebrating 25 Years of
Celebrating 25 Years of
I hoped that at the week’s end that they would long to come back. I hoped that they would continue to spread their good works back at home. And I hoped I would, too.
Lara De Haan As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. –Psalm 71:14 (NIV)
But more than the accomplishment of any of these goals, I believe God gave me this opportunity to open my own eyes and heart. Having been super distant from worship and scripture while studying at college for a couple years, I think God gave me the opportunity to hear through others and be reminded of his reckless love that I’d forgotten about.
It amazes me how sometimes we go on mission trips with the idea that we are to chase others who need love and God’s word, but sometimes our reason for going is actually God chasing after us.
I don’t think she knew it at the time, but one girl (we’ll give her the alias, Grace) flipped my thoughts and led my heart back to where it belonged.
This summer I had the opportunity to work as a staff member for the Baptist General Association of Virginia’s Impact Missions camp.
Grace asked me to talk after worship one night. That one night was the night of worship I shared my testimony for the first time. She relieved my vulnerable feeling by admitting she, too, had been feeling some of the same ideas I had shared, one being a recent uncertainty in God and a guilt because of that doubt.
Having gone as a camper for the five previous summers, I thought I had an idea of what my summer would be like as I sent in my application. Early wake-ups. Hot afternoons. Humbling living conditions. (Anything but the typical summer vacation dreams of lying on the beach like I would do at home.) Looking back, I actually had no clue what this summer truly had in store for me.
I sat down and listened to her, and when she asked what I thought, I couldn’t control it; my mouth just opened and began to pour out reasons why I know we can’t doubt God’s presence in life.
I jumped in with the inspiration to be a staffer who was remembered for adding energy to the mornings, genuinely getting to know the campers, always being in front worshipping as though no one was looking, joining in on the work on sites, and for opening the minds and hearts of these high schoolers.
I don’t remember quite what I said, but as soon as the words left my mouth they came right back and hit my ears so hard that my heart absorbed the punch, and suddenly I knew that I wasn’t just speaking to Grace anymore. I was speaking to myself. And as the weeks went on, people continued to share their stories of life with me: the heartache of losing a wife and a 10
Impact campers take a break on one of the camp’s ladders (left); two Impact team members fix a homeowner’s roof (above).
daughter, the fear and miracle of a son surviving a bullet to the head, the pain of growing up with a manipulative and alcoholic father, and the loss of a friend who sacrificially stepped in front a bullet. I was baffled as I sat through these stories of pain and suffering that always seemed to have a happy end. Each being a “happy end” because each storyteller ended with an unbreakable confidence in God’s intervention, love, and purpose. My soul needed this summer opportunity to be on staff. Being at Impact gave me a platform to have deeper, more intimate conversations about God with those who came. Ultimately, these conversations helped refocus and reaffirm what I believe in.
Taylor Hayes
The song that will remind me of all that I was blessed with this past summer is Reckless Love by Cory Asbury. When I thought I was going to chase after others, I myself was being sought after.
God invites us on adventures every day. Some seem more exciting than others, but they will all teach us something in the end.
Lara De Haan is a student at George Mason University. Her home church is Westwood Baptist Church, a BGAV-member congregation in Springfield, VA.
We just have to accept the invitation and step out in trusting God to open our eyes and our hearts. As a staff member last year, I knew God was inviting me back to be on staff for Impact Mission Camps months before this summer began. In a leap of faith, I made it my goal to serve God wholeheartedly all summer, sharing his love and hope with everyone I interacted with during camp. The biggest way that God used me was through my testimony. I shared about my struggle with depression and the hope that I found in God during the hard times. I encouraged anyone who felt the same to open up and reach out for help. 11
And when I allowed God to use me to tell everyone who came to Impact this summer that there was a hope that could only be found in God, I saw them filled with God’s love. I was stunned by the number of people each week who would hug me and share with me that they were also struggling. I spoke to them of hope for their lives, and I shared God’s love with them. God taught me that though it seemed so impossible to stand in front of hundreds of people on a stage and be so completely vulnerable about my life, he was using me as a beacon for others to see his light and hope.
Sarah Robertson
God blessed me with the opportunity for God to use me because I simply accepted his invitation, even though I didn’t know exactly what I was being invited to do.
Let me start off by saying that the reason I wanted to work for Impact Mission Camps was because last year I attended Impact as a college student, and I wanted so desperately for the younger kids in my youth group to enjoy their experience as I had during my first years. I thought, What better way to make sure people are enjoying their experience than by being on staff? The second reason I wanted to be on staff was because last summer I worked a full-time job, and I found myself spending my free time doing nothing but watching TV and sleeping.
As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. –Psalm 71:14 (NIV) Taylor Hayes is a student at Longwood University. Her home church is Gwathmey Baptist Church, a BGAV-member congregation in Ashland, VA.
I wanted a summer job that would contribute to my personal and spiritual growth, and Impact was perfect for that. Being a camper for the past 7 years and then moving to staff definitely opened my eyes to all the thought, planning, and work that goes into making Impact possible. During the interview and application process, I was too nervous to ask any questions; so when I showed up for work in May, I had no idea what to expect, but I had put all trust in the Lord.
Volunteers add a fresh coat of paint to an exterior porch (above); new railing is installed on a set of front steps (right).
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From planning the worship services to setting up equipment, early mornings filling up coolers to late nightly meetings, and connecting with campers to connecting with coworkers, it was really cool for me to see Impact from another side. This summer I was able to satisfy my heart for service by helping to create a positive experience for campers. The things that made me feel accomplished in my work this summer were hearing campers say “Yes, I want to come back next year!” or “When I get older, I want to be on staff!” I feel as though I accomplished what the Lord asked me to do this summer, and I am thankful for the opportunity to work for Impact. Sarah Robertson is a student at James Madison University. Her home church is Westwood Baptist Church in Springfield, VA.
Clockwise from top left: Two volunteers measure and cut new boards for a home repair; “Robes of Hope” was the 2018 camp theme with a focus on Matthew 25; new siding is installed along the side of a local home; a team of campers pose while fixing a damaged roof. 13
For more information, visit ImpactMissionCamps.org
RESPONSE WRAP-UP: LIBERTY, TEXAS The end of July 2018 marked the close of Virginia Baptist Disaster Response efforts in Liberty, TX, after 11 months of working alongside the people there who were affected by Hurricane Harvey—one of the costliest, most devastating hurricanes on record in U.S. history. Virginia Baptists were no strangers to Liberty when Hurricane Harvey struck. In 2008, we responded there after Hurricane Ike. Because of that relationship, Pastor Steve Bean of First Baptist Church of Liberty said he knew who to call when Harvey made landfall. Once it was safe to enter Texas a week after the hurricane, our first volunteers arrived on September 4 to clean contents and debris from flood-damaged homes.
Along the way, responders saw many community relationships develop and witnessed many of those become partnerships. “Early on,” recalled Lee, “a few local community leaders approached Pastor Steve and offered considerable financial support to help purchase rebuilding supplies. These incredible gifts help us ensure we could purchase what was necessary to rebuild homes.”
After the initial response, volunteers shifted from cleanup to rapid rebuilding—getting the basic needs back in homes including insulation, drywall, one full working bathroom, and a kitchen sink. “Rapid rebuilding doesn’t include finishing touches,” explained Aaron Lee, BGAV Disaster Response Coordinator. “We want to people to get back home as quickly as possible.”
“We also had a tremendous outpouring of support from First Baptist Church of Liberty,” said Lee. “One of our leading values in disaster response is to partner with a local church, and we know the ministry in Liberty will continue long after we’ve left because of their influence and place in their county.”
The next phase involved more complete rebuilding, including some finishing touches. At each phase, the number of homes decreased as homeowners were enabled to get to a place where they could accomplish tasks necessary to return them to their homes.
The work brought with it several challenges, though. Lee remembers how they encountered communication challenges in getting the word out about what they could offer to homeowners. “There was lots of misinformation about what we could and could not do for someone and whether that would affect FEMA or insurance benefits,” he explained. And there are still challenges, even today. There are continued needs. Most people there have rebuilt to where they were before the storm, but they still need assistance. “We are continuing to support First Baptist Liberty in exploring how their ministry to their community will continue now that we’re back in Virginia,” said Lee. Virginia Baptist Disaster Response has maintained contact with homeowners over the past year who requested assistance, and they have now reached the point where any remaining work in and around Liberty County can be handled within their own community. “Every disaster is local,” explained Lee, “so we offer support when the needs exceed what the community can support, and we hand it off when we get back to that threshold.”
Crisis Care Team member Leigh Clark (pictured left) met residents as she and other team members helped support the spiritual and emotional recovery of those affected by Harvey. 14
A local resident, Dennis (pictured left), needed an extra hand after Harvey to repair a rotten floor in his home. Today, he’s back at it helping neighbors cut up trees. He told Pastor Steve, “Y’all came and helped me when I needed it most, and I’m so grateful.” He still keeps the Bible he received from the team close by and remembers every team member.
BY THE NUMBERS
This team from First Baptist Church, Nickelsville, VA, spent time helping Dennis, who lives near the Trinity River in Liberty TX.
IN LIBERTY, TX
31 clean-up trailers 21 shower trailers 23 shower/laundry units 61 bunk units 44 laundry units 369 volunteers from 13 states 21,273 hours served 191 homes cleaned/rebuilt
Volunteers from 13 states joined our clean up efforts, removing personal items and cleaning homes to prepare for rebuilding.
Michael Vest (pictured left) from Halesford Baptist Church helps a homeowner make repairs before re-installing sheetrock and insulation during the rebuilding phase. Michael and Evelyn made three trips to Liberty to lead and coordinate teams and volunteers.
HURRICANE FLORENCE RESPONSE As of press time, Virginia Baptist Disaster Response volunteers have distributed thousands of meals to residents in the Washington, NC, community.
For more information, visit BGAVDR.org
Please follow BGAVDR.org for the latest instructions on how you can Pray, Give, and Go. 15
Danville Church Brings VBS To Lisu Children in Richmond by Janet Hilliard There is a children’s song that says, “It’s a small world after all; it’s a small world after all; it’s a small world after all; it’s small, small world.”
a perfect theme for us to share with Lisu children who are adjusting to life in a different culture. We shared Bible stories through daily drama based on the lives of the Old Testament characters, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Through Bible stories, music, crafts, recreation, and fellowship, we were able to help the Lisu children experience the joy of knowing that because God is with us, we can have courage like Daniel did.
This summer, the members of our multi-generational missions team from Moffett Memorial Baptist Church in Danville, VA, experienced this truth only 150 miles from home. God had been preparing us for this mission opportunity even before we knew that we had this divine appointment at Lisu Grace Church.
Anne Shields, the “Lollipop Lady” at Moffett, prepared homemade lollipops in the shape of feet to sweetly remind the children that Jehovah Jirah was guiding their steps through the changes in their lives. Our favorite song quickly became “Stand firm when life changes; stand firm through the ups and downs; stand firm, because we know that God is in control!”
We had the privilege of providing the first Vacation Bible School at the Lisu Grace Church, which meets at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Richmond’s historic Fan District. Tabernacle has been welcoming people escaping forced labor, civil war, and religious persecution in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) since 2007. The Lisu people are the most recent of those refugees to relocate to Richmond.
There was not too much of a language barrier with the children, since they go to public school, but it was more challenging to communicate verbally with the adults. We found that the Holy Spirit transcends all barriers and that smiles, hugs, and prayers communicate well in any language.
God had been preparing us for this mission opportunity even before we knew that we had this divine appointment at Lisu Grace Church.
We saw God at work, as God enabled us to adapt to meet needs as they arose. As in any VBS, the first day was a challenge, but our team members were committed to being the hands and feet
The theme we chose last winter for our VBS at Moffett was, “Babylon, Daniel’s Courage in Captivity,” which was also 16
of Christ. They let his love shine in their interactions with some very active children. Everyone needed a nap afterward! We spent our afternoons serving in the clothes closet and food pantry ministries at Tabernacle. Team members sorted clothes and shoes and packed grocery bags with non-perishable food. A highlight of this ministry for us was serving the people who came to the church on Thursday afternoon to visit the clothes closet and to get the food we had prepared. Fresh fruits and vegetables were beautiful and available, and we were blessed to help people enjoy selecting what would be best for their families.
The children proudly wear their handmade VBS shirts.
On Wednesday afternoon our team had the opportunity to visit the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) office building, which is also in Richmond. We were greeted by John Upton, our Executive Director, and his assistant, Marilee White.
We felt God’s power and presence as he prayed, and even though we did not understand his words, we were profoundly reminded that we are all part of one faith family. With Pastor Awng’s permission we video recorded him praying, and through the miracle of technology we shared this God moment in our Sunday worship service.
John invited us to his office where he and Dean Miller, our Mission Development Staff Coordinator, told us stories of BGAV’s ministry partnerships in Haiti and Kenya. Through pictures and their personal anecdotes, we were caught up in the spirit of missions and the many possibilities that await us as we continue to seek ways to be Kingdom builders.
The power and spirit of Pastor Awng’s prayer had the same effect on the people who were gathered in our sanctuary. Though prayed in a language unknown to us, his morning prayer transcended the language barrier, and we knew that the Holy Spirit was moving among us.
After a guided tour by Marilee, we left the resource center proud to be Virginia Baptists!
That same, sweet Spirit that had prepared us for our time with the Lisu children was binding us together and reminding us that it is indeed a small world when you are part of the family of God.
There were many God moments during our week in Richmond, but one of the most memorable happened each morning as Lawt Awng, Pastor of Lisu Grace Church, prayed over the children in their native tongue.
Janet Hilliard is a member of Moffett Memorial Baptist Church, a BGAV-member congregation in Danville, VA. She also serves as a member of the BGAV Mission Council.
Volunteers from Moffett Memorial Baptist Church sit with children from Lisu Grace Church. 17
Community-based VBS:
How Five Churches Came Together to Reach More People The location presented a couple of challenges: the volunteers did not have constant, ready access to the building, and they had to move all the supplies from the church to the school for the week.
What would you do if your Vacation Bible School (VBS) outgrew your church’s facilities? Childrey Baptist Church in Nathalie, VA, faced that wonderful challenge after their 2017 summer VBS, so they creatively discussed what to do about it.
But even with those challenges, Elder concluded, having the event at the school was much better than hosting it at a church. “Being on neutral ground really helped parents and students feel more comfortable attending, especially since it wasn’t at a public place of worship.”
They wanted to open it up to more people, so they held an informal meeting with neighboring church leaders to talk about the possibility of having a community-based VBS—and they came up with the idea of having it at a local elementary school where there would be plenty of space for everyone. A school in a neighboring town agreed to be their host facility. In addition to Childrey, four other churches—Brookneal Baptist, Ebenezer Baptist (Naruna), Falling River Baptist, and The River Church—combined their financial and volunteer resources and committed to support the community VBS effort. In July 2018, their vision became a reality, and the five churches together hosted a successful community-wide VBS at Brookneal Elementary School. “We saw God’s hand woven throughout the whole week,” commented Dana Elder, one of the VBS co-directors, as she reflected on the week with Tally Updike, also a co-director.
Children participate in different activity stations during VBS.
“On Wednesday evening, for example, we were feeling attacked by Satan and very defeated that our work was in vain, but we went home and glanced at social media and saw where numerous parents had posted that their children had accepted Jesus that night.”
Being in the center of the town and easily accessible to everyone (many children could walk from their homes to attend) made the location an even better fit for the event. “We feel the week overall was amazing, and it exceeded our expectations by far,” said Elder, as she and Updike evaluated the event.
According to Elder and Updike, there were about 250 kids involved in the VBS, from preschoolers to teenagers. “I’d say around 50 percent of them were unchurched,” Elder recalled. “Our biggest surprise was having so many youth; we had about 50 students ages 11-17.”
“To have 360 men, women, and children come to a public place to worship God together was an incredible experience. We were truly honored to be a vessel to help guide and lead in this experience.”
Having the VBS at an elementary school enabled the five churches to reach a large number of students in a way that was efficient and effective—perhaps even more so than if they had been inside a church building. Since space had been a limiting factor the previous year, the volunteers in all the classrooms were thrilled to have much more room for their teaching activities.
When asked if they would do VBS the same way again, they quickly responded, “Honestly there’s not a lot we’d change, and under the same conditions we would do it again. God unified us as the body of Christ in an incredible way, and it played out for God’s glory.” 18
A group of girls review a Bible lesson together.
Approximately 250 children participated in the community-based VBS program. 19
A group of students put together the new bunkbeds.
UPDATES FROM THE
Source of Light Center, Haiti
Staci Calkin (top left) poses with a group of students in their newlyhung mirrors!
SWEET DREAMS AND SMILING FACES by staci calkin Bunkbeds! In December it came to our attention that the Center was in need of some additional and replacement bunkbed frames. The need comes from a few factors: 14 more children moving in to the Source of Light over the last couple of years and the regular wear and tear that the furniture receives. Coastal Kids at Coastal Community Church in Virginia Beach jumped at the opportunity to help make a difference for the children at Source of Light. Coastal Kids and families were able to raise enough money to purchase the necessary beds. Those beds were delivered this May. The children and teens were excited to help carry the frames up two flights of stairs and put the beds together. We are thankful for generous hearts helping to provide a better night’s sleep!
Mirrors! We take for granted the use of a mirror on a daily basis. During our trip in May we were visiting with the older girls and asked about mirrors in their rooms. Their eyes lit up and it became apparent to us that they have not had regular access to mirrors. The hunt began! We were successful in locating two mirrors for the girls and one for the boys. The mirrors were hung up higher at an angle for longevity – at the request of the older kids. The picture shows the joy!
Staci Calkin (center) shows off the completed bunkbeds with a group of young men at the SOL Center. 20
Hannah Anderson’s mother spends some quality time coloring with one of the young students at the SOL Center.
ENGLISH CLASS – KLAS ANGLÈ by hannah anderson This past June, my mom and I had the opportunity to join a group going to Port-au-Prince to teach English to students at the Source of Light Center.
Hannah Anderson (top) works with a group of students during an English lesson.
Our group used research-based methods of teaching, along with music and Bible lessons, to enhance English-speaking skills. While many of the kids already have a wealth of English words in their vocabulary, it was great to see them learn a few more and be so engaged in the lessons each day. We played games like “color bingo,” had morning meetings to practice conversation, and held literacy circles in the afternoons. The literacy circles consisted mostly of the kids being able to read books in English and review vocabulary words they learned earlier that day.
Learning to write numbers in English was also part of the students’ lessons.
The highlight of each day was the music and Bible lessons taught by a few other team members.
GET INVOLVED: BECOME A SPONSOR!
The week ended with an awards assembly and a performance of the new English songs they had learned. The joy on their faces said it all when they accepted their well-deserved awards and got the opportunity to show their friends what they had learned.
If you aren’t already, please consider becoming a sponsor to one of our amazing children at the Source of Light Center! To get more information on becoming a sponsor, please email Staci Calkin, Haiti child sponsorship coordinator, at staci.calkin@bgav.org.
Our main goal throughout the course of the week was to spend time with the kids by teaching them English in several different ways, however, our experience turned out to be much more than just that.
For more information, visit SourceOfLightHaiti.org
We were able to love the kids in the same way Jesus does– unconditionally, relentlessly, and without hesitation. Every time we saw their smiles or felt their hugs, we had a chance to experience the true joy of a life with Christ. 21
Missions Connection Celebration (MC2):
A Pastor’s Reflection by Rev. Mark Hughes
This was my second year attending MC2 at Eagle Eyrie with the youth of West End Baptist Church, North Dinwiddie, VA. I appreciate the goal of the camp, which I believe to be leading young people into conversations about what it means to know and follow Jesus Christ while giving them the opportunity to both experience and share in tangible ways that good news message through mission and ministry opportunities. I know that for me, it was important when I learned the joy that my faith in Jesus wasn’t just about my personal relationship with God; it was also about how that relationship could make an impact on all my other relationships and how my life could be used by God to bless others. Camps like this help show rising generations that our faith is about helping others in real and vital ways, just as Jesus did in his ministry. Exposure to mission opportunities helps develop a generosity of life—one that seeks to serve others in Jesus’ name. Our young people connect easily to a faith in which they can witness and be a part of helping others. That is why the yearly meal packaging with Lifeline.org is such an anticipated part of the week.
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The kids really get into the idea that their effort that day is feeding a hungry child. The closer we can tie our belief to loving action, the more likely future generations will be compelled by and hold tightly to their faith in Jesus. Speaker Gerard Huff did a great job this year of making the message of redemption and restoration accessible to all ages. His use of the story of the prodigal son blended with his personal journey in just the right way in his messages each evening. I hope the students were as touched by his transparency as I was during worship. Rev. Mark E. Hughes is pastor of West End Baptist Church, a BGAV-member congregation in North Dinwiddie, VA.
Congrats to Our 2018-2019 BGAV College Scholarship S Recipients
M E Reagan Adams
Frances Carlton
Aaron Evans
John-Reed Barnes
Sarah Castle
Teagan Farmer
Jansen Beals
Brenna Crowgey
Brooke Gibson
Cody Billups
Julia Dahl
Eliza Green
Kendall Branham
Hannah Dankenbring
Hillary Hettinger
Mitchell Brown
Emily Deyerle
Joshua Hill
Jonathan Buffkin
Kendall Dunnavant
Rachel Hughes
Sydnee Burnette
Kara Edmonds
Abigail Kiss
Olivia Caldwell
Alexis Epperly
Abigail Kramer
Middle Cross Missionary Baptist Blue Ridge Baptist Association Virginia Tech Major: Visual Communication Design First Baptist Church of Gate City Clinch Valley Baptist Association East Tennessee State University Major: History Education Warrenton Baptist Church NorthStar Church Network Liberty University Major: English Franklin Baptist Church Blackwater Baptist Association Regent University Major: Business Madison Heights Baptist Church Lynchburg Baptist Association The College of William & Mary Major: Neuroscience New Bethesda Baptist Church Dover Baptist Association Liberty University Major: Sports Management Walnut Hills Baptist Church Peninsula Baptist Association The College of William & Mary Major: Computer Science and Psychology Critz Baptist Church Blue Ridge Baptist Association Virginia Tech Major: Accounting Corinth Baptist Church Dover Baptist Association North Greenville University Major: Elementary Education
Culpeper Baptist Church Shiloh Baptist Association Averett University Major: Liberal Studies Derbyshire Baptist Church The River City Faith Network University of Illinois Major: Music Performance and Psychology Cambria Baptist Church Western Blue Ridge Baptist Network Shenandoah University Major: Performing Arts Mount Vernon Baptist Church Dover Baptist Association The College of William & Mary Major: Psychology Second Baptist Church of Petersburg Petersburg Baptist Association Longwood University Major: Nursing Gayton Baptist Church The River City Faith Network The College of William & Mary Major: Biology, minor in Marine Science King’s Grant Baptist Church The Bridge Network of Churches Old Dominion University Major: Nursing Dundas Baptist Church Southside Baptist Association Liberty University Major: Bachelor of Arts degree Calvary Baptist Church Floyd Western Blue Ridge Baptist Network Radford University Major: Interdisciplinary Studies
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West Lynchburg Baptist Church Lynchburg Baptist Association Virginia Tech Major: Electrical Engineering West Lynchburg Baptist Church Lynchburg Baptist Association Central Virginia Community College Major: Associate degree Midway Baptist Church Staunton River Baptist Association Liberty University Major: Nursing Blacksburg Baptist Church Western Blue Ridge Baptist Network Radford University Major: Dance and Psychology Central Baptist Church Middle District Baptist Association Virginia Tech Major: Psychology/Speech Therapy Cool Spring Baptist Church Dover Baptist Association Liberty University Major: Bachelor degree West End Baptist Church Petersburg Baptist Association James Madison University Major: Bachelor of Science degree Bethany Baptist Church Rappahannock Baptist Association University of Virginia Major: Biomedical Sciences Mathews Baptist Church Mid-Tidewater Baptist Association Virginia Tech Major: Bachelor of Science degree
“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)
Lauren Lalk
Sara Noblin
Jillian Shelton
Carter Larson
Sigfredo Ostorga
Rebecca Shumate
Megan Leggett
Melody Peacock
Morganne Talley
Catherine Lott
Seth Peacock
Sarah Traylor
Sarah Grace Lott
Skylar Power
Kayley Turner
Camden Mahan
Jakob Schneider
Savannah Turner
Adam Miller
Kayla Schneider
Fermina Urrutia Morales
Tyler Miller
Kennedy Schultz
Cara Wissinger
Emily Morgan
Stacey Sharpe
Joseph Worley
Immanuel Baptist Church Petersburg Baptist Association Liberty University Major: Nursing Jackson Memorial Baptist Church Portsmouth Baptist Association James Madison University Major: Health Science and Dance Derbyshire Baptist Church The River City Faith Network Lynchburg University Major: Nursing Huguenot Road Baptist Church The River City Faith Network The College of William & Mary Major: Biology Huguenot Road Baptist Church The River City Faith Network The College of William & Mary Major: Geology Kentuck Baptist Church Pittsylvania Baptist Association Liberty University Major: Arts/Science Westhunt Baptist Church Dover Baptist Association James Madison University Major: Music Education
West Lynchburg Baptist Church Lynchburg Baptist Association James Madison University Major: Athletic Training
Beulah Baptist Church BGAV Only Rappahannock Community College Major: Dental Hygiene
First Baptist Church of South Boston Dan River Baptist Association Virginia Commonwealth University Major: English Mechanicsville Baptist Church Goshen Baptist Association Piedmont Virginia Community College Major: Computer Science Broadus Memorial Baptist Church Dover Baptist Association Randolph-Macon College Major: Spanish, minor in English Broadus Memorial Baptist Church Dover Baptist Association Virginia Commonwealth University Major: Mechanical Engineering West Lynchburg Baptist Church Lynchburg Baptist Association Old Dominion University Major: Engineering Northside Baptist Church Dover Baptist Association Virginia Tech Major: Industrial and Systems Engineering Northside Baptist Church Dover Baptist Association James Madison University Major: Media Arts & Design, minor in Flute Performance New Prospect Baptist Church Staunton River Baptist Association Virginia Tech Major: International Studies, minor in Russian
East End Baptist Church Portsmouth Baptist Association Virginia Commonwealth University Major: Music
New Prospect Baptist Church Staunton River Baptist Association Lynchburg University Major: Exercise Physiology First Baptist Church of Bluefield East River Baptist Association Bluefield State College Major: K-6 Education Madison Heights Baptist Church Lynchburg Baptist Association Lynchburg University Major: Religious Studies First Baptist Church of Staunton Augusta Baptist Association Gardner-Webb Major: Biblical Studies Derbyshire Baptist Church The River City Faith Network Mary Baldwin University Major: Bachelor of Science degree Derbyshire Baptist Church The River City Faith Network Lynchburg University Major: Nursing Groveton Baptist Church NorthStar Church Network Liberty University Major: Elementary Education and Spanish
Beaver Dam Baptist Church Central Virginia Baptist Association University of Mary Washington Major: Historic Preservation
Midway Baptist Gretna Staunton River Baptist Association Johnson and Wales Major: Culinary Arts
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2018-2019 Ministerial Education Fund Recipients Scott Anderson
Lauryn Everic
Justin Pierson
Katie Barnum
Matthew Franklin
John Pollock
Mawah Bryant
Matthew Groves
Daniel Ripley
Mikayla Clarke
Jeremiah Hurst
Peyton Seay
Cory Counts
Brendan Jamieson
Jordan Secrist
Christopher Crowley
Kyle Julius
Esther Shin
Kenneth Daniel
Emily Martin
Emma Tilley
Sean Davis
Samuel Maxwell
Gabriela Urrutia
Mark Dixon, Jr.
Sarah Moxley
Stephanie Van Leeuwen
Kyle Dobyns
Hope Nycum
Marilee White
Joel Elmore
Allison Osborne
Northstar Church BGAV Only Gordon-Conwell Calling: College Ministry Round Hill Baptist Church Fredericksburg Area Baptist Network Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Calling: Missions Lighthouse International Church The River City Faith Network Virginia Union University Calling: Preaching/Pastoral Main Street Baptist Church Emporia Petersburg Baptist Association Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond Calling: Youth Ministry First Baptist Church of Ewing Powell River Baptist Association Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Calling: Preaching/Pastoral Chamberlayne Baptist Church The River City Faith Network Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond Calling: Music Ministry Chamberlayne Baptist Church The River City Faith Network Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond Calling: Youth Ministry Columbia Baptist Church NorthStar Church Network John Leland Center for Theological Studies Calling: Christian Education First Baptist Church of Norton Wise Baptist Association Grace School of Theology Calling: Preaching/Pastoral Ferry Farm Baptist Church Fredericksburg Area Baptist Network John Leland Center for Theological Studies Calling: Youth Ministry Waverly Place Baptist Church Roanoke Valley Baptist Association Columbia International University Calling: Preaching/Pastoral
Bon Air Baptist Church BGAV Only George W Truett Theological Seminary Calling: Children’s Ministry Richmond’s First Baptist Church The River City Faith Network George W Truett Theological Seminary Calling: College Ministry Young’s Chapel New River Baptist Association Vanderbilt University Divinity School Calling: Christian Education Central Baptist Church Middle District Baptist Association Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond Calling: Youth Ministry All Souls Central Virginia Baptist Association Northern Seminary Calling: Music Ministry Falling River Baptist Church Appomattox Baptist Association Liberty University Calling: Preaching/Pastoral Round Hill Baptist Church Fredericksburg Area Baptist Network Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Calling: Christian Education Columbia Baptist Church NorthStar Church Network George W Truett Theological Seminary Calling: Preaching/Pastoral First Baptist Church of Bluefield East River Baptist Association Gardner-Webb University Calling: Missions Tabernacle Baptist Church The River City Faith Network Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond Calling: Ministry
Bonsack Baptist Church Roanoke Valley Baptist Association Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond Calling: Ministry Freedom Life Church Peninsula Baptist Association Regent University Calling: Preaching/Pastoral Hatcher Memorial Baptist Church The River City Faith Network Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond Calling: Ministry Salem Baptist Church Fredericksburg Area Baptist Network Gardner-Webb University Calling: Youth Ministry South Run Baptist Church NorthStar Church Network Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Calling: Preaching/Pastoral Pilgrim Community Church NorthStar Church Network Gateway Seminary Calling: Missions Richmond’s First Baptist Church The River City Faith Network Duke Divinity School Calling: Youth Ministry Groveton Baptist Church NorthStar Church Network Liberty University Calling: Missions Freemason Street Baptist Church The Bridge Network of Churches Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond Calling: Christian Education Bon Air Baptist Church BGAV Only Central Baptist Theological Seminary Calling: Ministry
Richmond’s First Baptist Church The River City Faith Network Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond Calling: Ministry
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