October 3, 2018
Annual Meeting Is Just Around the Corner! 
Watch an invitation to the 195th Annual Meeting of the BGAV from John Upton: 
We pray that you and your church will join your BGAV family at Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Glen Allen, just outside Richmond ( 11220 Nuckols Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23059) on November 12-14, 2018. 

We wanted to highlight several aspects of the meeting that you won’t want to miss, including: 

  • New this year is Missions Monday, which will feature two breakout-session times Monday afternoon at Mount Vernon Baptist Church highlighting mission opportunities within and beyond the BGAV. Later that evening, we will regather at nearby Gayton Baptist Church (13501 N Gayton Rd, Henrico, VA 23233) for dinner and a gathering time focused on missions.

  • Our Tuesday speakers feature four BGAV preachers: Allen Jessee (Highlands Fellowship, Abingdon, VA), Kristin Adkins Whitesides (First Baptist Church, Winchester, VA), Valerie Carter (WMU of Virginia), and Chuck Warnock (Chatham Baptist Church, Chatham, VA).

  • Our Wednesday keynote speaker is Tod Bolsinger, author of Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory.

  • There are once again two breakout-session opportunities on Tuesday afternoon, with over a dozen options for each session. Learn more about them.

Online registration is now available, and registration packets have been mailed. Please contact the BGAV office if you have not received your registration information.

Be sure to check out BGAV.org/Meeting for the latest information including hotels, breakouts, and more.
Please note: We have been informed that some church login numbers were printed incompletely. If your unique login listed on your registration sheet is only four digits, please add a zero to the beginning. (For example, if your Church ID/login is “4567”, please enter it as “04567”.) We apologize for this inconvenience.
Hurricane Florence: Virginia Baptist Disaster Response Update
Our volunteers are in North Carolina to provide flood and debris cleanup throughout Beaufort County and Jones County. Crisis Care, showers, and laundry will offer additional support throughout our response. The feeding unit demobilized as of Monday, September 24, after serving 35,631 meals. 

As we add cleanup efforts in Jones County, we’re ready for YOU! Register your team of 1 or more to join us in North Carolina. Space is open after October 7 through mid-December, and roles include cleanup (temporary roofing and flood tearout), supporting volunteers each day with meals and laundry, and more. 

Visit BGAVDR.org/Florence to see how you can get plugged in! 
Meet BGAV Ministerial Scholarship Recipient:
Chris Crowley
Chris Crowley is a member of Chamberlayne Baptist Church in Richmond, VA, where he serves as Director of Music Ministry. He is a student at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond (BTSR), where he is pursuing a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Religious Freedom.

Chris is one of the 2018-19 recipients of a BGAV scholarship for ministerial education funds. “I have been blessed both with musical and writing tools, and I hope to be able to use them both,” he explained.

The first issue of Advance Notice each month will feature a brief profile from our blog of a current-year scholarship recipient. We hope you'll enjoy learning a little about these promising students.
 
BGAV Resolution Submissions Due October 15
The Committee on Resolutions of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, chaired by Reggie Warren, would like to remind BGAV elected messengers of their opportunity to submit proposed resolutions believed to further the purpose of the BGAV. In accordance with the Constitution/By-Laws of the BGAV, such proposed resolutions must be submitted to the office of the Executive Director no later than October 15 prior to each annual meeting. The proposed resolutions can be emailed directly to Marilee White. 

Submissions will be reviewed by the Committee on Resolutions and processed as deemed appropriate by the committee. Any resolutions submitted for action by the committee will be presented as a regular part of the program of the BGAV in November.  
FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Be sure to add these great upcoming events to your fall calendar:
Gathering of Silence Retreat
October 8-11, 2018 - CrossRoads Camp & Conference Center
All pastors and church staff are invited to join us for the annual Gathering of Silence retreat. As in years past, Gathering of Silence participants will take a vow of silence for the 72-hour period of the retreat including silent meals. There will be an optional “speaking” time of community held each evening. All attendees are welcome to hike and enjoy all that CrossRoads and the surrounding area has to offer. Learn more and register online.  
Ignite: A Retreat for Middle School Students
October 12-14, 2018 - Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center, Lynchburg, VA
Followers of Jesus are called to a GREATER life. GREATER love. GREATER generosity. GREATER compassion. GREATER service. Are you living an ordinary life or a GREATER life? Ignite Weekend will challenge and inspire students to look and act like Jesus by having a heart for others – all for the glory of God! Keith Farmer is the main speaker and music will be lead by Relinquish. Learn more and register now.  
Retreat for Youth & Adults with Special Needs
October 19-21, 2018 - Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center, Lynchburg, VA
This 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. Join us as we explore this year's theme, "Heroes of Faith," through Psalm 34:14. Learn more and register now.
Better Than Ever (Fifty Plus Retreat)
October 22-24, 2018 - Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center, Lynchburg, VA 
Come up the mountain and enjoy the beautiful fall leaves while enjoying a time of fellowship, worship, and relaxation. Rev. Don Davidson, pastor of First Baptist Church, Alexandria, will be the keynote speaker; and Roger McGee, pastor of music & worship at First Baptist Church, Alexandria, will lead worship. Learn more and register.
Kairos Fall Gathering
October 26-28, 2018 - Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center, Lynchburg, VA 
Fall Gathering is a gathering for the collegiate generation and is open to anyone who is 18-25 years old. Adult ministry leaders are encouraged to attend with the community they lead. Learn more and register now. 
SAVE THE DATE!
Camp Piankatank Winter Blast
February 15-17, 2018 - Camp Piankatank, Hartfield, VA
For teenagers aged 13-17, join us for a winter weekend camp at Camp Piankatank! Cost is $140 per person, which includes meals, snacks, and a shirt. For more information, visit the webpage; or contact Camp Piankatank at 804-776-9552 or office@camppiankatank.org.
Stay Connected to Your BGAV Family
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:

ARE YOU READING THE BGAV BLOG?
The BGAV Blog contains stories, columns, resources, and news that can help your faith journey. View the latest posts:

UPCOMING EVENTS
Be sure to add these upcoming events to your fall calendar:

Ministry Equipping Network (online courses)

October 5-6, 2018
Durham, NC

October 8-11, 2018
Lowesville, VA

October 12-14, 2018
Lynchburg, VA

October 15-16, 2018
Henrico, VA

October 19-21, 2018
Lynchburg, VA

October 22, 2018
Chantilly, VA

October 22-24, 2018
Lynchburg, VA

October 23, 2018
Richmond, VA

October 26-28, 2018
Lynchburg, VA

October 26-27, 2018
Suffolk, VA

October 29-30, 2018
Ashland, VA

November 9-10, 2018
Richmond, VA

November 12-14, 2018
Glen Allen, VA (Richmond area)

February 8-9, 2019
Glen Allen, VA

February 15-17, 2019
Hartfield, VA
PRAYER POINT
Heavenly Father, thank you for your unfailing love for me, your blessings, and your goodness. Thank you for your faithfulness to guide me and see me through times of uncertainty, for lifting me up, and for setting me on high. Thank you for scripture that comforts and reminds me of your promises, plan, and provision. Thank you for taking away my fears and worries, the what-ifs, and reminding me that my help comes from you. Help me be a good steward and to sow wisely. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Stay Engaged with the BGAV!
Baptist General Association of Virginia
800.255.2428 | bgav@bgav.org | BGAV.org