by The Baptist Paper

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Leaning into this year’s Mission Forward theme, BGAV's 2025 Annual Meeting kicked off Nov. 10 with an evening worship session focusing on the mission of the local church.

Virginia Baptist pastors and leaders must “press on” in the mission God has given them, said Tim Brown, lead pastor of Highlands Fellowship Church, Abingdon, during Monday evening’s opening session.

Preaching from Philippians 3:14, Brown focused on Paul’s understanding of the “goal” and the “grind” of ministry — and his “purposeful movement” in fulfilling the mission God had given him. All followers of Christ have been given a mission to complete, Brown noted.

‘A race to run’

“We’ve got a race to run,” said Brown, who took time to express thankfulness in how BGAV had invested in his race and in helping Highlands Fellowship’s journey.

“Much of the reason I’m here today is because of the investment BGAV has made in me,” he noted. “From when I first got started, there was a salary supplement … to grants whenever we started our first site. … There are so many things BGAV has done to invest in my life, and I’m eternally grateful.”

Brown urged pastors, “No matter where you are in the race, the call is the same. Press on toward the goal that’s Christ Himself.”

While churches and ministry leaders can sometimes feel like their best days are behind them, he noted that as long as “God gives us breath … He’s not through with us.”

God isn’t waiting for us to get to heaven to achieve our mission, Brown said. “Mature believers don’t coast but press in (to the mission),” he said. And he noted at one point, “the beauty of the church is that we run together.”

Areas of focus

Brown specifically mentioned several areas of focus for the Church. These areas include community engagement, discipleship/leadership development, cultural relevance, the power of prayer, being faithfully present and a healthy church culture.

He cautioned church leaders to avoid “running on spiritual cruise control.”

“Leaders and pastors, servants of God’s Kingdom, keep your eyes on the prize,” he said. “Stay faithful in the mission. Stay humble in the calling. Stay dependent on his power. Because the story God is writing through you has not been finished yet. So press on.”

‘Right where you are’

Leaders must do this “not for recognition, but for redemption,” he said. “Not for applause but for living a life of obedience, and not for the platform but for the prize.”

He concluded, “When we think about why we gather today, we want to see the mission God has given to us completed here on this earth — and it’s where God has planted us, each and every one of us. He has planted us strategically in the place that he has us. I pray that God will continue to fulfill the mission He has for you right where you are.”

Brown’s words built on those spoken earlier in the evening by BGAV’s Executive Director, Wayne Faison, as he introduced the conference theme.

“Mission is about rolling up our sleeves and getting the job done, and that’s what Mission Forward is all about,” Faison said.

Faison pulled out a paper airplane and invited those gathered to pull out theirs from their registrant bags and send them flying. As the airplanes flew around the room, Faison talked about “mission in motion.”

“We want to make sure that as we pray, we are praying forward, and that as we dream, we are dreaming forward,” Faison said. “That’s what this week is about — launching hope forward, launching love forward, and launching the gospel of Jesus Christ forward in this dying world.”

‘Special kind of church family’

The evening began with worship music led by Highlands Fellowship Praise Band and a drama on the names of God in scripture presented by Charles Reese and Rebecca McCoy-Reese.

As the session concluded, BGAV President Shelton Miles recognized bivocational pastors and thanked them for the work they do in local churches.

“You are important. … In some respects, you are the future of the church. BGAV is a place where we can all serve together and have opportunities for service. That makes us a special kind of church family.”

The evening session closed out a day of near-record-low temperatures and snow showers in Abingdon. Events earlier in the afternoon included the Virginia Baptist Pastor’s Conference, small group Learning Labs, a music “pickin’ circle,” and the opportunity to help build a tiny house for those left homeless by natural disaster.

BGAV’s annual meeting resumes on Tuesday (Nov. 11) with the second main session featuring speaker Cindy Wiles, executive director of Restore Hope, a nonprofit that serves a network of churches sending people cross-culturally to live and serve in long-term missionary capacities. Wiles will speak on “Mission There: Pressing Toward the Community.” Chosen Road will lead in worship.

The first business session will also be held Tuesday morning.

See a full schedule of sessions and events here: Schedule 2025 – BGAV Annual Meeting.

Messengers from participating BGAV churches have received registration and voting information ahead of today’s (Nov. 10) opening session. All are welcome to attend the on-site or virtual sessions by registering at Registration – BGAV Annual Meeting.

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