RICHMOND — Connect: 2007, the 184th annual meeting of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, will be held Nov. 13-14 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
The theme is “Hope is On the Way.” Featuring more videos and other multi-media presentations, this year's program has been designed to provide motivational, informational and practical help to churches for reaching the 4.5 million people in Virginia who are lost and for improving their ministries to more effectively reach their church members and their communities.
This year's annual meeting also marks the fifth anniversary of Kingdom Advance, which was formally adopted at the 2002 BGAV annual meeting in Virginia Beach. A video retrospective on the Kingdom Advance vision and its implementation will be presented as part of the report of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board.
The featured preacher for Connect:2007 will be Lance Watson, senior pastor of The Saint Paul's Baptist Church in Richmond, a Virginia Baptist church with over 14,000 members who are involved in more than 100 ministries that meet a wide range of needs.
The Tuesday evening worship leader will be composer/ singer/songwriter Ken Medema, who is writing an original composition for Virginia Baptists on the “Hope is On the Way” theme.
In response to evaluations from previous years, the breakout sessions will offer practical assistance on topics such as reaching the lost, resolving conflict, growing stewardship and moving through a pastoral transition. Training for the disaster relief temporary childcare unit will also be offered as one of the breakout sessions, and Virginia Baptist disaster relief units will be on exhibit at the Ministry Fair.
Registration materials were mailed to all eligible BGAV churches in late August. Any church that is eligible for messengers and has not received a registration packet should contact the Virginia Baptist Mission Board at 800.ALL.BGAV to request a replacement packet.
Churches are encouraged to pre-register for Connect:2007 online at www.bgavconnect. net. Online pre-registration will close at the end of Oct. 19 (11:59 p.m.). Pre-registration forms may also be submitted by mail and must be postmarked no later than Oct. 15. Onsite registration will be available, but is discouraged for all but last minute attendees.
Again this year, special incentives will be offered for pre-registration. The first 250 pre-registrants (online or by mail) will receive a free swivel clock. Everyone who pre-registers online will be entered into drawings for three prizes: two $50 gift certificates from Smyth & Helwys, a $100 gift certificate from LifeWay and a year's free entry to VBMB events and conferences (registration/program fees only; lodging and meals not included).