Reflections from My First Days as a Venturer in Beirut, Lebanon

August 27, 2020

Reflections from My First Days

as a Venturer in Beirut, Lebanon

I arrived safely in Beirut last Friday, August 14—exactly 10 days after the explosion. This past week I was able to see firsthand the damage to the city and meet with people who were directly affected. As I began to move around the city and meet new people, a common response emerged; when I disclosed that I arrived after the explosion, I was met with quizzical looks and some variation of the question, “And you still decided to come?”

If you have kept up at all with global news the past few months, you know that their question comes as no surprise. Lebanon is in an unprecedented time of hardship marked by months of political, economic, social, and health crises. To top it all off, they were rocked by a massive explosion that killed around 180 people and injured over 6,000 more. These numbers included men and women; adults and children; locals and refugees.

Virtual Mission Trip to Austria

Monday, August 31, 2020 - 10:00 a.m.

The Mollardgasse Baptist Church and other churches in Vienna are providing a place where people in the city can seek relief from the extreme heat. Those who are homeless and anyone from the street can enter the shaded courtyard to cool off, rest, and have some refreshments. Join our friends at Woodland Baptist Church as they travel virtually to Vienna to encourage our partners and learn about another way of being available to our neighbors!

FOR YOUR INFO

This Year's Alma Hunt Offering for Virginia Missions Focuses on COVID-19 Response

This year, the Alma Hunt Offering for Virginia Missions is meeting real needs in real time. View allocations, read stories, download resources, apply for grants, and donate online at AlmaHunt.org!

Kairos Ministries Seeking New Student Info for the Fall

Are there students from your church and community heading off to college in the fall? The BGAV supports a vibrant network of Collegiate and Young Adult ministries on college and university campuses all over Virginia called the Kairos Initiative. If you know a first-year undergrad or transfer student, we would love to reach out to them and invite them to be a part of one of our Kairos ministries in their area. Share your student information and learn more about Kairos.

BGAV Annual Meeting to Take Place Online This Year

This year's BGAV Annual Meeting will be held online November 9-10, 2020. Visit the BGAV Meeting website for more details as they are finalized.

Favorite Scriptures from the BGAV Staff Family

This summer, every issue of Advance Notice will feature a favorite scripture verse or passage submitted by a member of the BGAV staff. We hope these scriptures will inspire you in your daily walk with Christ and also help you get to know our staff a little better.

Wayne Faison said his favorite scripture passage is Galatians 2:20:

Galatians 2:20

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Wayne is Growth-Venture Staff Coordinator. He has served with BGAV since 2001.