In its May 9 meeting, the executive committee of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board voted to recommend withdrawing from a cooperative endeavor with the Baptist General Convention of Virginia and the Virginia Baptist State Convention.
Since 1947 the Baptist General Association of Virginia has partnered with the BGCV and the VBSC, both of which are predominantly African American, to develop and maintain the Children's Home of Virginia Baptists in Ettrick, near Petersburg.
Three years ago the home experienced multiple operational challenges which led to the voluntary surrender of its license. The home, not affiliated with the Virginia Baptist Children's Home and Family Services (VBCHFS), has to this point been unable to recover its standing and has declined the offer of management assistance from the VBCHFS, headquartered in Salem. The BGAV is affiliated with the VBCHFS.
Rufus Adkins, who served as a BGAV representative on the home's board, proposed the recommendation.
The Mission Board will consider the recommendation at its October meeting and, if adopted, will recommend it to messengers at the annual meeting in November of the BGAV, which must authorize the action.
In voting to withdraw, the executive committee also recommended payment of one-third of the existing total operating indebtedness, estimated to be close to $100,000 in delinquent bills.
The Ettrick children's home charter stipulates that each of the three Baptist bodies will bear equal responsibility for all indebtedness, with the exception of mortgage debt.
In response to the vote, John Upton, executive director of the BGAV, remarked, “This was a very difficult decision for the committee to make as this has been an historical and valued partnership for many years. We have proven for over 60 years how much can be accomplished for the Kingdom of God through the partnering of Baptists in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We hope that one day, should children return to the home, that we can once again assist with this much-needed ministry.”
In a separate resolution, the executive committee also recommended that the three state bodies establish a commission that would meet regularly to identify and facilitate future missional partnership opportunities.