by Carrie Brown McWhorter, The Baptist Paper

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Amid times of worship, learning, and fellowship, messengers to BGAV's 2025 Annual Meeting also conducted some business Nov. 11.

An announced total of 323 messengers, plus six officers, 90 exhibitors, and 149 registered guests gathered online and in person at Highlands Fellowship Church in Abingdon, Virginia, for the three-day meeting. During the Tuesday morning business session, messengers heard committee reports, partner updates, the proposed budget for 2026, and the annual report from BGAV Executive Director Wayne Faison.

Treasurer’s report

David Washburn, BGAV/Ascent treasurer, presented the financial report as of Oct. 31.

Washburn presented the proposed 2026 budget based on anticipated giving of $17,357,836 — a figure derived from the Cooperative Missions budget allocation ($7,193,750), BGAV ministry resources ($6,556,117), and special offerings ($3,607,969, estimated from an average of the past three years of giving). Highlights of the budget proposal include a 2026 Cooperative Missions budget allocation of $7,193,750, to be allocated between Virginia missions and ministries ($4,750,000), world mission causes ($2,014,250), and BGAV partners in Virginia ($429,500).

The 2026 goal for the Alma Hunt Offering for Virginia Missions is $800,000.

Washburn said the 2026 budget matches the 2025 budget, because it reflects the financial landscape churches are facing due to a shift in giving patterns and rising operational costs. As of Sept. 30, 2025, he said giving to Virginia Missions and Ministries totaled just over $3.5 million (95% of goal). World Mission Causes receipts totaled $1,280,519 (81% of goal).Total receipts from all sources for 2025 were $13,303,777, Washburn reported.

A vote to adopt the 2026 budget is scheduled for the morning business session Nov. 12.

Executive director’s report

Faison presented his annual report, themed “Mission Forward.” He emphasized the vision of becoming “greater agents of mission” by working together for greater impact.

“As I think about Mission Forward and where God is leading us, I’m reminded of the vision that God has given us over the last year or two,” Faison said. “That vision is becoming greater agents of mission, together with our networks of churches, partners, and leaders, impacting the Kingdom locally, nationally, and globally with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“But there’s really three words I want to emphasize in terms of that vision statement that encapsulate my report, or our report,” he continued. “The first word is greater. The second word is together. And the final word is impacting. So greater, together, impacting.”

To emphasize the various missions partners BGAV supports, Faison introduced Dr. Steven Peterson, president of Bluefield University; Dr. Chris Backert, senior director of Ascent; and Rev. Dr. Raphaël Anzenberger, general secretary of the French Baptist Union and a pastor in Quebec who ministers to French-speaking communities in Canada.

Partner updates

• Bluefield University: Peterson reported on the launch of a fully online Master’s in Ministry Leadership program, a recommitment to the institution’s Christ-centered mission, and the baptism of 26 students during a spiritual emphasis week.
• Ascent: Backert reported that the partnership network has grown to over 20 groups. He announced an upcoming Continental Summit in March and highlighted a “south to north pipeline” strategy to send resources to areas of need, including a new partnership with the French Baptist Union in Quebec.
• Mission Focus: French-Speaking Canada. Anzenberger noted the 8 million French-speaking Canadians have been identified as the largest unreached people group in North America, with only about 500 evangelical churches serving them. The French Baptist Union hopes to establish hubs and support various church models to reach cities lacking a Christian witness. The effort is challenging, he said, as Quebec is moving toward aggressive secularism, with potential government measures that could financially cripple churches by removing tax benefits for donors and imposing commercial property taxes.

Moving in ‘relational momentum’

Faison said Virginia Baptists are “going forward toward the upward calling of God … reacquainting ourselves with mission.”

“We are moving in a relational momentum … committed to a gospel-centric mission focus. … BGAV is not holding the line, but BGAV is crossing the line. … We are embodying God’s movement in this rapidly changing world.”

Resolutions of appreciation

Resolutions were presented and affirmed for three retiring leaders:

• Dr. Tiffany M. Franks: For nearly 17 years of service as the first female president of Averett University.
• Rev. J. Randy Myers: For 13 years as Executive Director of GraceInside, Virginia’s Prison Chaplain Service.
• Dr. Valerie Carter Smith: For over a decade as Executive Director and Treasurer of Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia.

Future BGAV Annual Meeting dates

The following future meeting dates and locations were affirmed:

• 2026: November 9–11 in Virginia Beach
• 2027: November 8–10 in the Richmond area
• 2028: November 13–15 at a location to be determined

Committee reports and motions

• Committee on Program: Co-chair Alan Miller welcomed attendees. Co-chair Stephen Gray presented a motion to adopt the printed program, set debate limits, and affirm future meeting sites. The motion passed.
• Committee on Boards and Committees: Dr. Mark Olson presented the slate of nominees from the book of reports (pages 24-28). The motion to accept the nominations passed.
• Nominations for the Committee on Boards and Committees: Stephen Adkins presented nominations for terms expiring in 2028: Joyce Jones, Rachel Pierce, and Bryan Taliaferro. The motion passed.
• Virginia Baptist Executive Board: Chair Allen Jesse presented the board’s report from page 11 of the Book of Reports. The motion to adopt the report passed.

The historical fight of Baptists for religious liberty also was highlighted during the business session. Adam Tyler, chair of the Virginia Baptist Religious Liberty Committee, said a series of videos on the topic, produced by Yellow Hat Productions and EverBless, would be available to Virginia Baptist churches. A showcase of the videos was planned for a Nov. 11 Insight Session during the annual meeting.

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