$1 MILLION FOR BTSR. Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond has received a $1 million anonymous gift in honor of four Richmond Baptist leaders—Harwood and Louise Cochrane and Elmer and Betsy West. Both the Cochranes and the Wests have been instrumental in contributing and raising funds for the seminary. The gift is designated for BTSR's operating budget and specifically includes funding for student scholarships and technology upgrades.
“This gift confirms the work and ministry of BTSR in the present and demonstrates marvelous hope in our future,” said retiring seminary president Tom Graves. “It is fitting the gift honors the Cochranes and Wests, whose devotion to this school has shown an amazing depth of care.”
“Every gift is important, but this anonymous gift offers a powerful affirmation of BTSR's future and … encourages others to join the enterprise of training future ministers of the gospel,” said Ron Crawford, the seminary's president-elect.
CHANGES AT WMUV. Jason and Glynda Smith will resign May 1 from positions at CrossRoads Conference Center, a retreat center owned by Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia, to pursue educational opportunities. Jason Smith, who was camp director and supervisor for health and wellness and community transformation, will complete work on his doctoral thesis at Virginia Commonwealth University. Glynda Smith will use her post-graduate degree in reading specialization from the University of Virginia to teach in the Richmond area. Both have offered to continue to assist both WMUV and CrossRoads in a variety of ways.
Meanwhile, Tracy Profitt, currently food services/registration manager, will become summer camp director. WMUV has begun a search process to fill the open positions. In other changes, Edith H. Fisher has joined the WMUV staff as children's educational consultant to coordinate a statewide ministry for children in grades 1-6, and Helen S. Wood is serving as interim project ministry coordinator, providing supervision to WMUV's ministry project consultants.
MINISTRY TO MATURE ADULTS. The Virginia Baptist Mission Board and the Virginia Baptist aging with significance ministry are co-sponsoring “An Opportunity for Outreach: Through Mature Adult Life Transitions,” to be offered at the Virginia Baptist Resource Center in Richmond on May 8 from 9 a.m.-noon. The event is aimed at assisting churches minister to mature adults facing various life transitions. The conference is free, but participants must register by May 1. To register or for more information, contact Carol Seeley at carol.seeley@vbmb.org or 1-800-255-2428 ext. 2243.
VBMLA PLANS CONFERENCE. The Virginia Baptist Media Library Association will hold it spring conference May 18 – 20 at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center. National consultant Eva Nell Hunter will be guest speaker. The conference is targeting anyone interested in improving library ministry. Reservations should be made directly with Eagle Eyrie.