Have you ever noticed BGAV’s annual call for nominations to boards and committees and wondered what it’s all about?

In many ways, it reflects something familiar. Just as leadership in a local Baptist church is shared among committees, teams, and elected leaders, BGAV operates in a similar spirit. As an association of churches, our leadership doesn’t come from a distance; it rises from within our congregations. Clergy and lay leaders serve alongside staff—offering guidance, wisdom, and discernment to help shape our shared ministry across the Commonwealth.

Each year, BGAV invites churches to help identify the next group of leaders who will step into these roles. It’s more than a process; it’s an opportunity to call forward people who are already living out their faith in meaningful ways.

For those who have served, the experience is often both meaningful and deeply personal.

“Serving on the BGAV Scholarship Committee has been a rewarding experience for me,” said Dana Jackson of Randolph Memorial Baptist Church in Madison Heights, VA. “I feel like I’ve played a small role in fostering the next generation of helping hands in the Church.”

Others speak of the relationships formed along the way. “Serving on the BGAV Program Committee has been such an inspiring, uplifting, and eye-opening experience,” shared Mary Gilley of Melrose Baptist Church in Roanoke, VA. “The brainstorming, collaborating, and planning…laughing, struggling together to create a successful meeting—it’s been a joy to be part of this team.”

For Holly Nichols of North Fork Baptist Church in Purcellville, VA, serving on the Memorial Committee carried a different kind of significance. “Honoring those who have faithfully served our Lord was both humbling and inspiring—and something I won’t soon forget.”

And for Christian Eslick of Second Baptist Church in Richmond, VA, the work itself created space for meaningful dialogue. “I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to work with fellow committee members around some of the most significant issues facing churches today, with diverse perspectives from across the state.”

That sense of purpose extends across other areas of BGAV life as well. “In my time on the Religious Liberty Committee, I have learned so much about the important

Virginia Baptist principle of religious freedom and joined with great Virginia Baptists in the work of education and advocacy,” said Adam Tyler, pastor of Farmville Baptist Church in Farmville, VA. “Whether we were connecting with legislators in Richmond, collaborating on video and print resources for BGAV churches, or chatting with Virginia Baptists at the annual meeting, I found the work fulfilling, enjoyable, and vital.”

BGAV is seeking faithful, passionate leaders—both clergy and lay—who reflect the diversity of our churches and share a desire to advance the kingdom together. Opportunities to serve include standing committees focused on areas like Christian Life, Scholarships and Ministerial Education Funds, Program, Memorials, and Religious Liberty, as well as trustee roles with BGAV-related ministries and institutions.

If someone in your church comes to mind, now is the time to speak up. Your nomination could open the door for someone to serve—and to make a lasting impact. (If that someone is you, ask a fellow church member or staff to submit a nomination on your behalf.)

Submit a Nomination.

Who Can Be Nominated?

BGAV is seeking both clergy and lay leaders who are:

• Christ followers
• Ethnically, racially, and generationally diverse
• Passionate about advancing the kingdom together
• Able to fulfill the responsibilities of service

Nominees must be resident members of BGAV churches who contribute financially to the Cooperative Missions budget.

Deadline for Nominations: May 1, 2026

Submit a Nomination.

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