Amid occasions of worship, studying, and fellowship, messengers to the 2025 annual assembly of the Baptist Common Affiliation of Virginia (BGAV) additionally performed some enterprise Nov. 11.
An introduced complete of 323 messengers, plus six officers, 90 exhibitors, and 149 registered friends gathered on-line and in individual at Highlands Fellowship Church in Abingdon, Virginia, for the three-day assembly. In the course of the Tuesday morning enterprise session, messengers heard committee experiences, companion updates, the proposed budget for 2026, and the annual report from BGAV Government Director Wayne Faison.
Treasurer’s report
David Washburn, BGAV/Ascent treasurer, introduced the financial report as of Oct. 31.
Washburn introduced the proposed 2026 budget based mostly on anticipated giving of $17,357,836 — a determine derived from the Cooperative Missions budget allocation ($7,193,750), BGAV ministry sources ($6,556,117), and particular choices ($3,607,969, estimated from a median of the previous three years of giving). Highlights of the budget proposal embrace a 2026 Cooperative Missions budget allocation of $7,193,750, to be allotted between Virginia missions and ministries ($4,750,000), world mission causes ($2,014,250), and BGAV companions in Virginia ($429,500).
The 2026 purpose for the Alma Hunt Providing for Virginia Missions is $800,000.
Washburn mentioned the 2026 budget matches the 2025 budget, as a result of it displays the financial panorama church buildings are going through attributable to a shift in giving patterns and rising operational prices. As of Sept. 30, 2025, he mentioned giving to Virginia Missions and Ministries totaled simply over $3.5 million (95% of purpose). World Mission Causes receipts totaled $1,280,519 (81% of purpose).Whole receipts from all sources for 2025 had been $13,303,777, Washburn reported.
A vote to undertake the 2026 budget is scheduled for the morning enterprise session Nov. 12.
Government director’s report
Faison introduced his annual report, themed “Mission Ahead.” He emphasised the imaginative and prescient of turning into “higher brokers of mission” by working collectively for higher influence.
“As I take into consideration Mission Ahead and the place God is main us, I’m reminded of the imaginative and prescient that God has given us over the past yr or two,” Faison mentioned. “That imaginative and prescient is turning into higher brokers of mission, along with our networks of church buildings, companions, and leaders, impacting the Kingdom domestically, nationally, and globally with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“However there’s actually three phrases I wish to emphasize by way of that imaginative and prescient assertion that encapsulate my report, or our report,” he continued. “The primary phrase is higher. The second phrase is collectively. And the ultimate phrase is impacting. So higher, collectively, impacting.”
To emphasise the varied missions companions BGAV helps, Faison launched Dr. Steven Peterson, president of Bluefield College; Dr. Chris Backert, senior director of Ascent; and Rev. Dr. Raphaël Anzenberger, normal secretary of the French Baptist Union and a pastor in Quebec who ministers to French-speaking communities in Canada.
Accomplice updates
- Bluefield College: Peterson reported on the launch of a completely on-line Grasp’s in Ministry Management program, a recommitment to the establishment’s Christ-centered mission, and the baptism of 26 college students throughout a religious emphasis week.
- Ascent: Backert reported that the partnership community has grown to over 20 teams. He introduced an upcoming Continental Summit in March and highlighted a “south to north pipeline” technique to ship sources to areas of want, together with a brand new partnership with the French Baptist Union in Quebec.
- Mission Focus: French-Talking Canada. Anzenberger famous the 8 million French-speaking Canadians have been recognized as the biggest unreached individuals group in North America, with solely about 500 evangelical church buildings serving them. The French Baptist Union hopes to ascertain hubs and assist numerous church fashions to achieve cities missing a Christian witness. The trouble is difficult, he mentioned, as Quebec is shifting towards aggressive secularism, with potential authorities measures that might financially cripple church buildings by eradicating tax advantages for donors and imposing business property taxes.
Shifting in ‘relational momentum’
Faison mentioned Virginia Baptists are “going ahead towards the upward calling of God … reacquainting ourselves with mission.”
“We’re shifting in a relational momentum … dedicated to a gospel-centric mission focus. … BGAV just isn’t holding the road, however BGAV is crossing the road. … We’re embodying God’s motion on this quickly altering world.”
Resolutions of appreciation
Resolutions had been introduced and affirmed for three retiring leaders:
- Dr. Tiffany M. Franks: For almost 17 years of service as the primary feminine president of Averett College.
- Rev. J. Randy Myers: For 13 years as Government Director of GraceInside, Virginia’s Jail Chaplain Service.
- Dr. Valerie Carter Smith: For over a decade as Government Director and Treasurer of Girl’s Missionary Union of Virginia.
Future BGAV Annual Assembly dates
The next future assembly dates and places had been affirmed:
- 2026: November 9–11 in Virginia Seaside
- 2027: November 8–10 within the Richmond space
- 2028: November 13–15 at a location to be decided
Committee experiences and motions
- Committee on Program: Co-chair Alan Miller welcomed attendees. Co-chair Stephen Grey introduced a movement to undertake the printed program, set debate limits, and affirm future assembly websites. The movement handed.
- Committee on Boards and Committees: Dr. Mark Olson introduced the slate of nominees from the e-book of experiences (pages 24-28). The movement to just accept the nominations handed.
- Nominations for the Committee on Boards and Committees: Stephen Adkins introduced nominations for phrases expiring in 2028: Joyce Jones, Rachel Pierce, and Bryan Taliaferro. The movement handed.
- Virginia Baptist Government Board: Chair Allen Jesse introduced the board’s report from web page 11 of the Ebook of Studies. The movement to undertake the report handed.
The historic combat of Baptists for spiritual liberty additionally was highlighted throughout the enterprise session. Adam Tyler, chair of the Virginia Baptist Spiritual Liberty Committee, mentioned a collection of movies on the subject, produced by Yellow Hat Productions and EverBless, can be out there to Virginia Baptist church buildings. A showcase of the movies was deliberate for a Nov. 11 Perception Session throughout the annual assembly.
