In response to recent news on SBC messengers’ approval to advance a proposed ban on churches who allow women to serve as pastors or to preach in any capacity, BGAV stands behind our previous statements in past years affirming women in all levels of ministry and church leadership. BGAV upholds the historically Baptist distinctives of soul freedom and of the autonomy of the local church, trusting the Holy Spirit’s call upon individuals to serve God in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and empowering each congregation to ordain those individuals regardless of gender.

“BGAV has a long-standing affirmation for women in leadership,” said Wayne Faison, BGAV’s executive director. “We have not only affirmed this in voice, but also in action. This affirmation continues to be a core value for BGAV to live out of—as well as to live into—in the years to come. Throughout BGAV, and our many aspects of mission and ministry, no space of leadership is ever considered off limits to women.”

To reiterate that level of support, BGAV’s executive board released official statements in 2023 and 2024 in reaffirmation and formed a task force which brought its report with recommendations to foster further support and advocacy. But far beyond the more recent public statements—and more significantly—BGAV’s history has explicitly prioritized women in positions of leadership, exhibiting a long arc of trust in the voices of women.

Since the early 1980s, as the Southern Baptist Convention has become more restrictive regarding the ordination of women, BGAV has not wavered from including congregations who choose to allow women to serve in preaching and pastoral roles. “One of our strategies to demonstrate support was to make sure women (including ordained) were in BGAV leadership roles, either as officers, leadership on staff and boards, or preaching at annual meetings,” explained John Upton, former executive director. “We hoped by modeling women in leadership, others would be comfortable moving in that direction.” For decades, BGAV has consistently elected women as members and chairs of its executive board and standing committees.

Eight women, for example, have served in BGAV’s highest elected role of president: Rebecca J. McKinney, 2024; Nancy Stanton McDaniel, 2016; Ann Fitzgerald Brown, 2015; Elizabeth Cumbie Fogg, 2003; Mary B. Wilson, 1997; Margaret B. Wayland, 1995; Jean Woodward, 1989; and the first female president, Christine Gregory, 1983.

“Women in leadership roles—both lay and ordained—are part of our DNA as Virginia Baptists,” reflected Becky McKinney, former BGAV president. “We’re not just talking the talk; we’re trying to walk the walk. We know we still have a ways to go, but we’re committed to getting there.”

BGAV’s support for women in leadership extends decades into the past. In 1984, Virginia Baptists approved a resolution affirming that God calls both men and women to ministry and declaring that ordination should be regarded as a matter of local church practice rather than denominational policy. The resolution came just months after Southern Baptist Convention messengers adopted a resolution opposing women in ministry and reflected BGAV’s commitment to both women’s leadership and local church autonomy.

Just over a decade earlier, in 1972, Marjorie Bailey became the first woman ordained to the gospel ministry in Virginia. Later that same year, Emma Stratton became the first woman elected as an officer of the General Association when she was chosen as first vice president.

In 1969, the first major BGAV strategic planning committee in modern history, the Committee of 24, was approved; it was composed of women and men and equally divided between clergy and laity.

In 1931, women were elected to serve on the Board of Missions and Education after board leaders publicly called for women to be represented in its governance.

And in 1920, BGAV officially welcomed women as messengers at annual meetings to conduct business.  

Together, these milestones reflect more than a century of Virginia Baptists affirming the gifts, calling, and leadership of women in the life of the church.

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In Her Own Words: Virginia Baptist Women Respond

“Any denomination that seeks to control the ability of God to call, equip, or surprise us is fighting a losing battle as God continues to ‘make all things new,’ and the Spirit is poured out on all flesh. But bad theology and biblical interpretation doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it harms people in real and significant ways. I hope that BGAV will continue and deepen its support of women as we serve and minister in all capacities of church life and work. May we all be attentive to the work of the Spirit in our midst as it expands and reshapes our imagination and understanding of God and the church.”

Rev. Dr. Kristin Adkins Whitesides  
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church Winchester, VA

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“I have been blessed to grow up in a family, a church, and a state denominational entity that has allowed me to use the gifts God gave me to advance his kingdom on earth.  My Bible is full of stories of courageous women who made a difference for good and for God in our world.  I hope that my participation in leadership on numerous committees and projects has made a difference as well.”

Beth Cumbie Fogg
Member, Richmond’s First Baptist Church, Richmond, VA
BGAV President, 2003

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“Throughout my ministry, I have found a home in BGAV and experienced a beautiful partnership of sisters and brothers in Christ who advance the gospel together. Having served in various leadership roles across BGAV for more than 25 years, including 10 years on the executive board, I have witnessed firsthand a commitment to recognizing and empowering God’s call on women and men alike for the flourishing of the local church and the mission of Christ.”

Rev. Lora Gravatt
Executive Pastor, Columbia Church, Falls Church, VA

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“Since the task force recommendations, we have seen greater awareness and engagement around supporting women in ministry and are encouraged by the steps BGAV is taking to affirm women and their callings.”

Rev. Amy Hall
Moderator, Virginia Baptist Women in Ministry
Member, Madison Heights Baptist Church, Madison Heights, VA

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“Next year, I will celebrate the 50th anniversary of my ordination. I have been blessed to serve in Virginia Baptist churches who have received me as their preacher and pastor. I am thankful that BGAV has given me many opportunities to serve and affirmed me as the first ordained woman pastor to serve as BGAV president (2016). My ministry, however, has been filled with much adversity and pain by those who have said that I shouldn’t and couldn’t serve and fulfill God’s calling on my life. I am not alone. The SBC has been after us women ministers for decades, and they are still at it. They are depriving themselves of many pastors who could serve well. This is their loss. To quote a wonderful billboard placed by Baptist Women in Ministry in Orlando, FL, for all to see: “’God calls women to pastor, preach and minister.’ (Matthew 28:8, Acts 2:17-18). May God continue to call women, and may they respond to the call to serve. There will be struggles, but the joys are great.”

Rev. Nancy Stanton McDaniel
Member, First Baptist Church, Hopewell, VA
BGAV President, 2016

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“My calling to ministry is something that I did not see happening but has become a pillar of who I am as a person. There are no words that can express the gratitude and pride I have in knowing that BGAV has and will continue to stand with women and affirm their calling to ministry.”  

Blair Thurman
Communications Coordinator, Melrose Baptist Church, Roanoke, VA
Current MDiv student at Baptist Seminary of Kentucky

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“As a woman in ministry I am grateful for BGAV’s long-standing affirmation of God’s call on women to lead, serve, and proclaim the gospel. Like Huldah, whose voice God used to guide His people during a pivotal moment in their history, the BGAV recognizes that God’s gifting knows no bounds and that He continues to call and equip both women and men to lead His church faithfully.”  

Rev. Leah Gilbert Harlow
Minister of Students, Second Baptist Church, Richmond, VA

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“When I was in high school, I went to my Aunt Sue Fitzgerald’s ordination as a Baptist minister. My church has benefited from a wonderful associate pastor, Rev. Kristen White, who happened to be an ordained woman, and we celebrated the opportunity to ordain another woman, Rev. Tiffany Hamilton, into ministry. So many other ordained women ministers have impacted my life in significant ways. It’s hard for me to imagine denying ordination to a woman whom God has called to be a minister.”

Ann Brown
Member, First Baptist Church, Gretna, VA
BGAV President, 2015

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“When I moved from Texas to serve as an associate pastor in a BGAV church 13 years ago, I found a community that encouraged, equipped, and welcomed me as a woman in ministry in the BGAV. BGAV embraced my leadership, including service on the executive board, and amplified my voice by inviting me to preach at its 200th Anniversary Annual Meeting. Along the way, I discovered a rich history of women leading and pastoring. BGAV holds in one hand a deep commitment to the autonomy of the local church and in the other, a commitment to growing in support of women responding to God’s call to serve in any and all aspects of leadership in the midst of God’s people.”

Rev. Brooke Holloway Blake
Chair, Executive Board, 2023-2025

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Thanks to Marilee White, Fred Anderson, and Nathan Taylor for their research contributions to this article.

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