by Layci Clifford

‍

Wanted: One person willing to spend three days talking to hundreds of Baptists.

Must be comfortable on a stage, in a hallway, and in front of a camera. Must know how to ask good questions, keep things moving, make people laugh, listen well, fill an awkward pause, and help both the people in the room and the people watching online feel like they are part of what is happening.

A background in theater would be helpful.

Experience hosting conferences would be a plus.

A genuine love for people is non-negotiable.

That might seem like a lot to ask for. But as it turns out, we know a guy.

This year, for the first time, BGAV’s Annual Meeting will have an emcee helping host our main worship sessions, and that microphone is going to Fola Ojumu.

Fola is already part of the BGAV family as a member of Columbia Baptist Church, but if you spend much time around him, you quickly discover that he is at home in a lot of different kinds of rooms.

His professional background includes technology, cybersecurity, finance, risk management, and consulting. He also holds a Master of Fine Arts, has a background in theater and acting, and has spent time on stages both in New York and at professional finance and technology conferences.

And then there is church.

One Sunday you might find Fola standing in front of a room full of elementary kids, using humor and energy to help make a Bible story come alive. On another, you may see him helping adults understand something complicated in a way

(continued on page 7)

that feels clear, accessible, and maybe even enjoyable.

That ability to move between different worlds is part of what makes Fola such a natural fit for this new role. More importantly, though, Fola loves people. He is the kind of person who can meet you for the first time and somehow make you feel like you have known him much longer. That is exactly the feeling we hope an emcee can bring to Annual Meeting.

You can think of Fola as one of the people helping connect the experience together. He will welcome us into sessions, help us hear from people across BGAV life, bring a little levity when we need it, and help us notice what is happening around us.

There is one other qualification we probably should have put in the job description:

Must love Virginia Beach.

Fortunately, Fola has that covered too. He and his family have vacationed there for years. So when you arrive in Virginia Beach this November, keep an eye out for the guy with the microphone. Chances are, before the meeting is over, he will feel a little less like the emcee and a little more like a friend.

Rev. Layci Clifford is the event planner for BGAV’s Annual Meeting.

‍