RICHMOND — Joseph T. Lewis, current first vice president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, will be presented as a nominee for president when the BGAV meets Nov. 13-14 in Richmond.
Lewis, one of three nominees voted at the fall meeting of Virginia Baptists Committed on Sept. 27, is pastor of Second Baptist Church in Petersburg.
Boyce Brannock, an attorney from Waynesboro, is the outgoing BGAV president.
The other two nominees, William (Jeff) Bloomer, of Culpeper Baptist Church in Culpeper, and Patricia K. Bloxom, of Mappsville Baptist Church in Mappsville, will be nominated for first vice president and second vice president, respectively. Both have been widely involved in church, associational and state Baptist leadership positions for many years.
VBC is a statewide organization of Virginia Baptist clergy and lay members that describes itself as committed to supporting the BGAV. Its nomination process seeks candidates who support the BGAV and its Kingdom Advance vision, the BGAV custom of alternating qualified clergy and laity as president, the BGAV practice of electing a successfully serving first vice president as president the succeeding year and such core Baptist values as priesthood of the believer, autonomy of the local church, soul freedom and religious liberty.
Lewis
Lewis, pastor the Petersburg church since 1996, has served widely on BGAV and associational boards and committees, and also was pastor of Fountain Creek Baptist Church in Petersburg, associate minister at Ginter Park Baptist Church in Richmond, and coordinator of Appalachian Ministries in Williamsburg, KY.
Bloomer
Bloomer, a professional educator and administrator for more than 40 years in Virginia's public schools and colleges, has served as a deacon in five churches, deacon chairman in three churches, and in many other local church leadership positions. He has served as moderator of the Shiloh Baptist Association and as its representative to the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. He has chaired three VBMB committees and served on its executive committee and budget committee.
Bloxom
Bloxom, a retired home health care and public health nurse, is past chairman of the Eastern Shore Community Service Board, a member of the Center for Baptist Heritage and Studies, past president of Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia, past chairman of the BGAV's religious liberty committee, past WMU director for the Accomack Baptist Association, and a former BSU summer missionary. She has served in many other denominational leadership roles.