Being a Virginia Baptist means being part of a diverse family of believers who partner with others to spread the gospel of Christ. Focus partnerships of the BGAV at this time are with the Panama Baptist Convention, the International Baptist Convention…
Serving God and witnessing what he’s doing can transform lives
Every year this time as the temperatures begin to climb, it’s on our minds. Summer. Students are counting the days until the school year ends. Adults are longing for a much-needed break from the everyday grind. Families begin to look…
Bluefield College to compete in Mid-South Conference
BLUEFIELD, VA. — Bluefield College has announced it is joining the Mid-South Conference, a Division 1 member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The college has been a member of the Appalachian Athletic Conference. The Mid-South Conference offers 18…
Virginia Baptists responding to earthquake, tsunami in Japan
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Baptists have begun collecting financial contributions to assist victims of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan last week. “Virginia Baptists grieve with the people of Japan as the effects of the massive earthquake and subsequent…
1982 Virginia Baptist ministry team continues to produce results
When John Upton and other Virginia Baptists travelled to Panama to celebrate the signing of a five-year ministry partnership agreement, little did they understand the significance of one official greeting they received. Although other Panamanian Baptists had also welcomed Virginia…
Creative ministry takes on a life of its own among Panamanian Baptists
LA CHORRERA, Panama — When church leaders plan a meeting, there are always some “clowns” who show up. Usually leaders just hope they don’t all show up at once and dominate the meeting. But that’s exactly what Panamanian Baptists are…
EDITORIAL: Is that a trumpet I hear?
Voices first heard in childhood often continue to impact us with potent echoes from the past. At the speed of thought I return to that small church in Jefferson County, Mo., where I grew up. It was Sunday evening and…
HERITAGE: Wheeling and dealing
Hunter Riggins is forever engaged, quite literally, in wheeling and dealing. He is one of America’s leading automobile dealers; and across the years he has honed and refined the skills of relationship building, customer satisfaction and sealing the deal. And…
Fighting hunger makes economic and political sense, Christian activist says
DALLAS — Despite deep divisions in U.S. society, Christians can lead the way toward bipartisan solutions to the pain of poverty, insisted one of the world’s top hunger fighters. “Church people — whose congregations often span the political spectrum —…
‘Bad advocacy’ can do more harm than good, Baptist scholar insists
ATLANTA (ABP) — Celebrity-driven campaigns like Save Darfur and Invisible Children are popular, but in some cases, they do more harm than good, according to a Baptist scholar who specializes in African politics, conflict and international affairs. “Advocacy needs to…
BWAid head Paul Montacute plans to retire, committee learns
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — Paul Montacute, director of the Baptist World Alliance's relief-and-recovery arm BWAid, will retire in July 2012, the BWA executive committee learned in meetings March 7-9. BWA leaders are expected to elect a successor to Montacute,…
Do Christian athletes strike out on big-dollar contracts?
ST. LOUIS (RNS) — As contract talks broke down between Albert Pujols and the Cardinals, St. Louis baseball fans nervously began asking themselves a host of questions. He’s a Cardinal for life, right? He wouldn’t go to Wrigley Field, because…