September 28, 2017
Photo courtesy of NBC News/Hector Retamal AFP - Getty Images

Disaster Response Efforts Continue in Hurricane-Ravaged Areas

Yesterday - after 14 days in Palm Coast, FL - Disaster Response feeding volunteers began heading home. While in Florida, they served 44,398 meals and put in 5,166 volunteers hours in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. 

Disaster teams also continue their work in Liberty County, TX, following Hurricane Harvey. There have been 155 job requests, with 91 completed or shared with other organizations. Thirty-seven jobs are ready for work , and an additional 27 are awaiting assessment, with more requests anticipated.
 
The BGAV has released $30,000 to provide immediate relief to victims of Hurricane Maria living in the Caribbean. The funds will be delivered to strategic partners in the region and will be used to meet basic human needs. Additional funds (combined with contributions) will be utilized once a more strategic, long - term plan has been established.

" We know that the response in the Caribbean will be long term , and we are not yet certain what it will look like," said Dean Miller, Mission Development Staff coordinator.   "Those conversations are ongoing as we speak. However, we want to be able to assist in meeting the immediate needs of survivors as best as we can. The release of these World Mission Initiative Funds will allow us to do just that."
 
Follow BGAVDR.org or the Facebook page for the latest information. 

Want to be trained to help? Attend Disaster Response training at Mission Matters in Waynesboro on Saturday, October 7. Additionally, your gifts to Virginia Baptist Disaster Response help us respond to disasters across the country. Give today to make a difference in the life of a disaster survivor! 

Mission Matters
Sending

Mission Matters Valley - Waynesboro, October 7
Hurry! Online registration closes Monday, October 2!
"Being, Going, Making." Make plans to join Mission Matters for God's witness, the Church's vitality, our own discipleship, and the common good of our communities. Join us for this one-day regional event designed to foster conversations and encourage renewed approaches to local and global missions. Develop new ideas and learn about opportunities to engage in disaster response, international missions, school partnerships, prison ministry, and more. Come explore and expand how Mission Matters for the transformation of your congregation, yourself, and your community.  Register today.
  


Global Hunger Sunday is Sunday, October 8
The Virginia Offering for World Hunger has raised over $6.5 million in behalf of the hungry in the past two decades. This offering supports relief efforts in your own backyard and around the world.

So far in 2017, $67,000 of your donated funds have been invested in global ministries serving populations in Ukraine, Turkey, Kenya, and South Sudan plagued with famine, civil unrest, and migration issues. 

Locally this year, $118,000 of your donated funds have been invested in 50 distinct local ministries addressing food insecurity across the Commonwealth through community gardens, food pantries, and other faith-based hunger-relief initiatives.

Download a bulletin insert to promote Global Hunger Sunday in your church, calling attention to the good work that the BGAV Hunger Ministry does to alleviate hunger in our community and world. 

Donate online to the Virginia Offering for World Hunger, pray for the ministry and those affected by hunger, and consider ways you can offer service to a hunger-relief initiative near you.



Refugees, Immigrants, and the Church: How Your Church Can Be Involved - Richmond, September 30
Come and learn from professional resettlement agencies and other organizations that assist in the refugee resettlement process. Hear stories from resettled families who are now at home in Virginia. Hands-on seminars will expose you to a multitude of opportunities for your church and this vital ministry. Just $25 per church (no participant limit).  Register online or bring payment the day of the event. 
Developing

Southwest Virginia Evangelism Conference - Galax, September 29-30
Make plans to gather at the Southwest Virginia Evangelism Conference, featuring Ken Weathersby, Vice President of the Southern Baptist Executive Committee, as the keynote speaker, and Recording Artist Gordon Mote will provide the music. Breakout sessions will cover evangelism as it relates to Sunday school, youth, college students, deacons, pastors, revivals, women, serving, hospitality, starting spiritual conversations, etc. This event is free, so 



BGAV Annual Meeting - Hampton, November 13-15
Make plans to join your BGAV family November 13-15 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, VA for the 194th Annual Meeting. Leith Anderson, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, will be our keynote speaker. 

In addition to lots of special activities such as the pastor's conference, lunches, and dinners, we'll also have a worship service Monday night at Ivy Memorial Baptist Church that you won't want to miss.

Messenger packets should begin arriving at churches this week with registration login information enclosed. Continue visiting BGAV.org/Meeting over the coming weeks as more information is finalized and posted.



Ignite: A Middle School Retreat - Lynchburg, October 13-15
Jesus calls all of us to live a life that is less ordinary and more extraordinary! Living that way makes us look and act very different from the rest of the world. So, how do we survive the differences and celebrate them at the same time? Join us as we spend the weekend learning how to SURVIVE all that life brings us and how to embrace the "crown of life" that James talks about in our theme verse, James 1:12. God truly does have something extraordinary in store for this weekend!  Get more details and register online.



BGAV Ministry Equipping Network Upcoming Classes
The BGAV Ministry Equipping Network is designed for pastors, ministers, and lay leaders to have access to single courses in a specific ministry area, or to be able to complete a comprehensive program that results in a Ministry Certification. It provides interactive, online courses to give participants the benefit of logging in from their locations with the instructor and networking with fellow participants.  

Various courses are being offered this fall:



Kairos Collegiate/Young Adult Fall Gathering - Lynchburg, October 27-29
Plans are underway for this year's retreat of college students and young adults, ages 18 to 25, to explore community, discipleship, and mission. Get more details.



Gloria Deo - Richmond, September 28-30
Come to this annual event of music, featuring a mass choir rehearsal and performance, multi-publisher choral reading sessions, and music ministry workshops.  Get more details.






Better than Ever: 50+ Retreat - Lynchburg, October 23-25
This popular, annual event is once again being held at Eagle Eyrie. Join speaker Dr. Tom Stocks and Worship Leader Jim Ailor for a fun , interactive, informative weekend. Don't miss Fred Anderson and his entertaining portray of Dr. Hatcher and his "farewell tour."  Get more details.



Empower Coaching Classes
Many pastors and lay leaders are learning the value of having a life and leadership coach come alongside them in their journey and help them take the steps necessary to move forward in their spiritual journeys. Join us for these exciting upcoming classes and become a coach! Empower is the Baptist General Association of Virginia's Coaching Initiative. The initiative is designed to help you find a prepared coach to serve as your "thinking partner" at a reasonable cost. Our coaches are committed to serving you and walking alongside you as you listen for God's voice in your journey. Our upcoming courses include: Empower courses are offered all year around. Learn more about coaching and upcoming courses.



Preaching Camp XIII - Suffolk, October 27-28
Hosted by the African American Fellowship of Virginia, the Preaching Camp is an opportunity for church planters, ministers, and pastors to increase their skill level in sermon preparation and delivery. Contact Jerome Lee for details. 



Special Needs Retreat - Lynchburg, October 20-22
This annual retreat is for all persons with developmental disabilities, ages 12 and above, along with their families, Sunday school teachers and workers, pastors and church staff. This year, the theme is Finding Jesus. Download the mail-in form or register online.  

Planting

Pioneer Learning Community
What is a Pioneer Community? Are you a Pioneer? Pioneers are missionary entrepreneurs who have the stirrings to go beyond existing church communities to engage in life and ministry with people, fostering fresh expressions of church that connect with those uncomfortable or unfamiliar with the inherited church.  Get more details.



Get the Vision for The Amore Project - Fairfax, October 7
Come catch the vision for the Amore Project and how your church can lead Amore Communities for the purpose of community family evangelization. Learn more.

Don't Forget!

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The BGAV Blog contains stories, columns, resources, and news that can help your faith journey. View the latest posts:
BGAV Ministry Jobs
Latest Ministry Jobs
Churches and ministries are posting new jobs to our ministry jobs board every week. Below are some of the most recent postings:
BGAV Events
Upcoming Events
Fall is filling up quickly with some great events:

September 29-30, 2017
Richmond, VA

September 29-30, 2017
Stafford, VA

September 29-30, 2017
Galax, VA

September 30, 2017
Annandale, VA

September 30, 2017
Richmond, VA

October 7, 2017
Fairfax, VA

October 7, 2017
Waynesboro, VA

October 13-15, 2017
Lynchburg, VA

October 16-17, 2017
Henrico, VA

October 19-20, 2017
Midlothian, VA

October 20-22, 2017
Lynchburg, VA

October 23-25, 2017
Lynchburg, VA

October 27-28, 2017
Spring Grove, VA

October 27-28, 2017
Suffolk, VA

October 27-29, 2017
Lynchburg, VA

October 30-31, 2017
Henrico, VA

November 13-15, 2017
Hampton, VA


Ministry Equipping Network Courses (all online):


Keep current on BGAV events by checking the website daily!
PRAYER POINT
God, as written in Ecclesiastes 3:1, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." Each season shows us that there is a time of transition. These changes remind us to turn to you in whatever comes our way. Amen.
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Baptist General Association of Virginia
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