LYNCHBURG, Va. — The Leadership Gathering Weekend at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center drew 489 church leaders from across the state to attend workshops provided by such nationally-known personalities as Reggie McNeal and Frank Page.
Reggie McNeal speaks to participants at the Leadership Gathering at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center.
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McNeal serves as the missional leadership specialist for Leadership Network of Dallas. His past experiences include working as an executive for the South Carolina Baptist Convention, leadership development coaching and serving as pastor of churches including one he founded.
Until recently, Page served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Taylors, S.C., and for two terms was president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Since his election by trustees in October of last year, he has been vice president of the SBC’s North American Mission Board, leading the evangelism group. Page brought his considerable pastoral and evangelistic success to the conference as a speaker and breakout session leader.
Engaging worship gatherings and practical breakout sessions encouraged church leaders to find God’s missional calling for their congregations. Briefly stated, church leaders in attendance heard McNeal challenge them to make their churches missional — churches that equip their members to engage culture rather than withdraw from it.
Held annually on a Friday evening and Saturday morning in May at Eagle Eyrie, this event is open to all church leaders and their spouses. The next Leadership Gathering Weekend is scheduled for May 6-7, 2011.
Marty Garber, Religious Herald circulation manager, speaks with Gerry and Vicki Hutchinson of Culpeper Baptist Church about staying connected with Virginia Baptist life through the paper and website.
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Just prior to the Gathering, pastors and church staff members who have recently come to Virginia or who have recently assumed first-time ministry positions met at Eagle Eyrie April 30–May 1, for orientation into the Baptist General Association of Virginia.
Representatives from BGAV partner organizations briefly addressed the group and set up displays in the Voight Conference Center to provide detailed information about the services and ministries they provide. In addition, the mission and services of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board were described by team leaders or spokespersons for the teams.
A time of orientation for ministers new to Virginia has been provided for years not only as a means of acquainting them to the mission of the BGAV and the people who provide leadership in the BGAV partner entities, but also to help establish new relationships with other ministers in the state.
Attending this year were Paul “Trey” Gilliam, pastor of Mulberry Grove Baptist Church in Buckingham, and his wife, Lou Ann; Scott Bortz, pastor of Vandola Baptist Church of Danville; Don Harvey, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of Lovingston; Brian Hotaling, pastor of Charles Town (W. Va.) Baptist Church; Brandon Ives, pastor of First Baptist Church of Chase City; Gerry Hutchinson, associate pastor of Culpeper Baptist Church, and his wife, Vicki; Stacy Nowell, associate pastor of Harrisonburg Baptist Church; and James Lowery, minister of music at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Richmond, and his wife, Martye.
All who attended expressed their appreciation for the BGAV, for the orientation and for the setting at Eagle Eyrie.
Speaking the sentiments of the group, Stacy Nowell said, “I’m impressed by the number of staff who are here! When you consider the number of hours represented by their time in meeting with us it says something about the priorities of the BGAV.”