God called Wayne from banking to vocational ministry. He moved to Virginia to begin his career with the BGAV in 2001. After serving in several positions - most recently as Growth Venture Staff Coordinator - he was elected as BGAV Executive Director in November 2022 during the 199th BGAV annual meeting in Hampton, Virginia. In addition to his role with BGAV, Wayne also serves as pastor of East End Baptist Church in Suffolk, Virginia. He holds a Doctor of Ministry in Black Church Leadership, as well as a Masters of Divinity in Missions, Evangelism, and Church Growth, from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The father of two daughters, he lives and serves with his wife Carmen in Chesapeake, Virginia.
Chris accepted the position of Associate Executive Director for BGAV and Ascent in July 2023, with an emphasis on leading the Ascent movement forward. Most recently, Chris served as Senior Director for Fresh Expressions US. Previously, he served as pastor of New Life Christian Fellowship, a large university congregation in Blacksburg, Virginia and has been involved in the planting of three new congregations. Chris holds a D.Min. in Missional Church Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary. He lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with wife Rachel, daughter Elliana and son Jase.
David combines finance skills with a pastoral heart to serve the BGAV and its member churches. He holds an Economics degree from the University of North Carolina and a Master of Divinity from Baptist Theological Seminary-Richmond. A resident of Richmond, Virginia, David is married to Paula and they have three adult children.
Marilee loves to serve by doing and she does that every day in her role as Executive Director Assistant. In addition to her responsibilities at BGAV, she’s been a longtime volunteer with children’s choirs and Sunday schools and recently received an MDiv from Central Baptist Theological Seminary. She’s married to John, the mother of four, and grandmother of five.
Gary finds great joy in helping churches engage their communities by using smart communication and advertising for ministry. He brings that joy to his work at BGAV, along with a breadth of experience serving congregations, working in business development, and owning/operating a web design and social media marketing firm. Gary earned a Master of Divinity degree from Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. He is married to Traci and they are the parents of three adult children.
A creative problem solver, Leslie enjoys finding solutions to complex challenges and using that gift to lead and organize. She holds a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School, is married to Matthew, a mother to two, and lives and serves in Richmond, Virginia.
Ken combines his people development skills with a heart for listening and encouraging as he gives leadership to BGAV’s coaching network. He honed his expertise serving as executive staff at churches in Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama, along with earning Master of Divinity (Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) and Doctor of Ministry (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) degrees. He and his wife Teresa are the parents of three sons.
A leader in the mission arena with the BGAV since 1999, Dean’s background also includes work as an associate pastor and youth minister. He holds a Master of Divinity Degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, is married to Anna, and is dad to three.
With more than 15 years of ministry experience with youth and young adult ministries in both congregational and campus settings, Welford answers a unique calling to bridge the gaps that exist between the campus, community, and congregations for greater alignment in ministries to college-aged young adults. He’s a graduate of James Madison University and Duke Divinity School, and makes his home in Richmond, Virginia with his wife Becky and two children.
Susan is called to equip people on their unique journeys in understanding God and their place in this world. She’s lived out that calling as a chaplain and collegiate minister, and for two decades serving leaders and pastors at BGAV. She holds a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and now makes her home in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
