Cooperative Baptist Fellowship executive coordinator Suzii Paynter kicked-off a five-city tour April 20-25 of CBF churches in Virginia.
First Baptist Church in Richmond hosted a gathering Saturday evening, April 20, for local pastors and supporters. Paynter shared with the group her hopes and dreams for the future of CBF.
“My dream for CBF is that we become the most vital and most vibrant religious community in the United States. I want to strengthen our voice here and around the world,” Paynter said.
Larry Haun, pastor of Fredericksburg Baptist Church, presented to Paynter a check from the church to support CBF ministries. Joining them was Jean English, a member of Fredericksburg Church and a former member of First Baptist Church in Austin, Texas, where Paynter’s husband serves as pastor. (CBF Photo)
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“That’s my pledge, to be in this with you, as partners, to listen, to organize. We’re going to have a well-run organization that is built for the future. That is my commitment, to make that transition for CBF, to work with our partners in the most productive way possible.”
Paynter also expressed her appreciation to the group for their welcome and support. “I’m so grateful that you have welcomed me tonight and I feel so blessed by the welcome that I’ve had throughout the whole Fellowship. And it’s really not about me; it’s about what we can do together. People are joyful and hopeful about that across generations.”
On Sunday, April 21, Paynter offered a word of welcome and gratitude during both morning services at the church. “Your commitment and leadership is known, not just here but throughout the world,” Paynter told the congregation. “It is an honor to be here today. And I stand in gratitude to you. Thank you for your hospitality to our Fellowship.”
First Baptist’s senior pastor Jim Somerville expressed his excitement to the church about the future of CBF under Paynter’s leadership. “In 10 minutes at the reception last night, I think I got more inspiration from Suzii Paynter than I’ve gotten from anybody in a long time. It made me want to get out of my chair and get on with the mission,” Somerville said.
From Richmond, Paynter traveled to Norfolk, for a dinner Sunday night at Freemason Street Baptist Church, where she received a warm welcome from pastor Steve Jolly and answered questions from the congregation.
Paynter and Michael Cheuk, pastor of University Baptist Church in Charlottesville. (CBF Photo)
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At a lunch Monday, April 22, hosted by Fredericksburg Baptist Church, pastor Larry Haun presented Paynter with a $10,000 check to support CBF missions and ministries. “We challenge everyone to join in because to do what she’s talking about doing is going to take money, more than we have given before, giving better than we’ve given before, all of us together, to be able to accomplish that,” said Haun.
During a luncheon hosted by University Baptist Church in Charlottesville, Paynter received a letter signed by pastor Michael Cheuk and deacon chair Rachel Nottingham Miller affirming the relationship of University Baptist with the CBF.
“We affirm CBF’s mission that seeks to help and equip churches to discover and fulfill their God-given mission. We affirm CBF’s vision of being a movement of congregations bearing witness to the gospel not just locally, but throughout our nation and the world,” the letter read.
“We affirm the values of CBF grounded in the freedom of biblical interpretation and congregational governance, the participation of women and men in all aspects of church leadership and Christian ministry, and religious liberty for all people.”
This letter follows the 2012 Task Force Report’s encouragement for congregations to embrace their identity by writing a letter that details the church’s partnership with CBF. “I would encourage other CBF congregations to consider doing this, too, as we all get together and affirm our identity,” said Cheuk.
CBF of Virginia field coordinator Rob Fox, who joined Paynter on the tour, said “I wish each and every one of our church leaders could have been on tour with us to hear Suzii Paynter articulate her hopes and dreams for our future together. For those who were able to participate in the CBF tour, they can offer a witness to Suzii’s energetic spirit and the groundswell of excitement we have heard about the future of our Fellowship.”
Paynter wrapped up her tour April 24 with events at Rosalind Hills Baptist Church in Roanoke.
The Virginia trip was preceded by a meeting with leaders in the Mid-Atlantic CBF in Kensington, Md.
Later, Paynter will travel to North Carolina for another five-city tour, visiting CBF churches and supporters in Asheville, Winston-Salem, Greenville, Raleigh and Charlotte between April 30-May 2.
Aaron Weaver writes for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.