For the first time in its 200-year history, the Baptist General Association of Virginia could be led by someone other than a white male. The BGAV Executive Board Aug. 30 nominated Wayne D. Faison for election as the state Baptist…
Upton announces retirement from Virginia Baptist post after 20 transformative years
After two decades of leadership, John Upton has announced he intends to retire as executive director of the Baptist General Association of Virginia July 31, 2022. Since his election to the post in 2001, the landscape of Baptist state conventions…
Virginia vaccine coordinator appeals to churches to minimize skepticism of COVID vaccine
Virginia’s coronavirus vaccine coordinator appealed to Baptist pastors to help model patience with the pace of inoculations and to help minimize skepticism around the growing scientific understanding of the virus and ways to prevent its spread. In a 45-minute Zoom…
Second African since 1905 takes helm of global Baptist group
By Robert Dilday As the Baptist World Alliance prepared July 22 to convene its first world congress in Africa, the global organization also transitioned to new leadership with a South African pastor taking the helm as president — only the second…
North American Baptists ask, what will we look like in 50 years?
By Robert Dilday The North American Baptist Fellowship marked its 50th anniversary March 6-7 with a nod to the past while focusing on what the group’s general secretary called one of its greatest challenges — finding a mission and vision…
OPINION: Memorable Sunday school teachers
As the New Year begins I would like to start off by thanking all those who work with children. Whatever the job might be at the local church — whether it is Sunday school or Wednesday nights or whatever the…
Play the ball where it lays
Recently I heard the story of a golf course that had quite a unique problem — a monkey infestation. (I think this course must have been in India!) It created all kinds of issues on the golf course. The golfers…
KINGDOM VISION: Letting go of the rope
On a recent trip to southwest Virginia, out near Honaker, I had the opportunity to speak at a wonderful church anniversary celebration. Following the worship time, we had a meal and I was seated next to a 97-year-old gentleman. As…
KINGDOM VISION: The most basic need
One of the most famous quotes by the great American-born writer, Henry James, is “Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.”…