The SBA Annual is now available online. To access the file click here (PDF 518K).

The report requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.

For info on SBC Disaster Response to the recent US flooding, stay updated here.

College-credit Bible classes will be offered at Bonsack Baptist Church in Roanoke the weeks of August 18th through December 8th. Life & Letters of Paul will be presented on Mondays from 6:30-9:30 pm and is facilitated by Scot Finley, minister of single adults at Bonsack Baptist Church.

Baptist Beliefs and History will be taught on Thursdays from 6:30-9:30 pm with facilitator Bob Hetherington, director of missions for the Roanoke Valley Baptist Association.

Cost is $375/class (Additional scholarshipping available for members of Baptist General Association of Virginia churches). Those only auditing will pay $188.

This is a partnership of The John Leland Center for Theological Studies and The Southwest Virginia Christian Leadership Network.

For more information, please contact Gary Chapman at 777.3014 in Roanoke or toll-free at 866.223.9344. You may also email Gary at gary.chapman@vbmb.org

A 2006 LifeWay Research study discovered that nearly 63% of all Southern Baptist churches have an attendance of 1-99 persons while another 21% average 100-199 folks on Sunday. Without question, the smaller church is vital to the Kingdom! In fact, in conferences I lead, I enjoy reminding persons that the greatest, most effective pastor who ever lived pastored a church comprised of twelve disciples.

With that in mind, I want to invite you, your spouse, staff ministers, and key lay leaders from your church to join us for a session entitled “Leading the Smaller Church”. The workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, 6-8 pm, at First Baptist Church, Staunton. Not only will you enjoy fellowship and dinner with others from smaller churches, but you will hear from Bill Barker, one who has faithfully served as pastor in smaller churches for many years.

Bill Barker currently serves as director of the Appalachian Regional Ministry, a ministry encompassing 10 states (including Virginia). The mission of ARM is to address the physical and spiritual needs of the region through local churches and missions volunteers. A native of Appalachia and intimately acquainted with those he refers to as “his people”, Bill has served as a full-time and bi-vocational pastor for 32 years. As such, he is very much in touch with the dynamics of ministry in the smaller church situation. Even if your church is “not so small”, Bill has wisdom for your situation, too.

The idea for this session actually came as Bill and I talked over breakfast a little over a year ago in Bristol. As I heard him share his experiences as a smaller church pastor, I was so impressed with the godly wisdom gleaned from his years of ministry. I immediately invited him to share his experiences with folks from our region.

For only $5 per person (payable on the night of the session) you will receive dinner and spend time with Bill. However, to help us in planning for the meal, we would appreciate knowing whether you and others from your church plan to attend. You can RSVP by phoning 866-223-9344 (toll free) or email, gary.chapman@vbmb.org.

Enclosed with this letter is a flyer with more information, including directions, to help you promote this event with your leaders. Hope to hear from you soon!

Check with your pastor or youth minister to see what details have been arranged at your local school for this special observance.

Dr. Henry Blackaby, founder and president emeritus of Blackaby Ministries International provides consultative leadership worldwide in the life of the Christian community. He has published an array of spiritually influential works in his lifetime, including the classic Experiencing God and Spiritual Leadership. Today, Dr. Blackaby sends an urgent call for revival in America and Christian leadership focused on God-centered integrity. Henry and his wife, Marilynn, have five children and fourteen grandchildren.

For information, visit the Virginia Baptist Men’s Gathering Website or contact Billy Hutchinson at 800.ALL.BGAV (255.2428), Ext. 7265.

For the seventh year, our Association will have booths set up at Bedford's CenterFest where we will be privileged to minister to thousands who will walk the streets of our Jerusalem.

Our volunteers serve up free cold water and lemonade; provide a baby changing table for life's little emergencies; minister through puppets, music, and more; and distribute literature. We also encourage churches to put together teams who will mingle among the crowd to meet neighbors, share who we are and what we are about, and spend time prayer walking throughout the day.

If you are willing to be a missionary for a day at an SBA booth, pray, or take part in the various street ministries, please contact Julie Arthur at jarthurmves@yahoo.com or the Association office at 540.586.8345 or sba@sbava.org.

Before CenterFest we will conduct a rally to help us get ready for the big day. This brief orientation session will prepare everyone for what we will be doing in the booths, on the stage, and among the crowd as we prayerwalk and pass out literature. We'll share rally details later.

Our service as witnesses must first begin at home if it is to be genuine and effective on the distant field. Please help us promote this "mission trip," and come join your brothers and sisters for a fun and eventful day at CenterFest 2008!

• Exalting God’s Word ….Unfolding Drama : www.unfoldingdrama.com The Rozeboom and Brand families have a passion and gift of sharing the Gospel through drama & Bible stories – A ministry of www.NoGreaterJoy.org
• Encouraging God’s Family…The Durocher Family www.durocherfamilyministries.com A bluegrass Gospel singing family from Minnesota, filled with the joy of the Lord and a desire to see other families walk in joy and Truth.
• Extolling God’s Beauty…Ken Jenkins www.kenjenkins.com is a nationally recognized natural history photographer, writer, lecturer, and outdoor adventurer. Ken will use words and photo images to share how God speaks through His creation.

Photo Contest: Grand Prize - Limited edition print by Ken Jenkins ($500 value) Other prizes and ribbons awarded.

Scripture Art Gallery - All ages bring all types of art that incorporates Scripture.

Location: The Sedalia Center: A beautiful, natural, outdoor setting at the foot of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, just outside Lynchburg, VA – 1108 Sedalia School Road - Big Island, VA 24526.
• October 18, 2008 . . . from 10 am - 4 pm – Check-in & Registration begins at 9 am.
• Breakfast & Lunch also provided at no cost. (Donations accepted)

For More Information and to register (required):
www.simplydevoted.com
MarcJantomaso@verizon.net
434.660.PRAY

Sponsored by: Simply Devoted Ministries and The Institute for Uniting Church & Home www.uchlink.org.

If there is enough interest, please call the office or e-mail us so we may schedule this workshop for churches in our Association. There will be no charge.

Introducing DivorceCare for Kids, a powerful new resource to help your church minister to the child of divorce The DC4K curriculum provides the resources you need to start and sustain an effective lay-led ministry for children ages 5-12.

Some children struggle deeply with separation and divorce while others seem to bounce back quickly. But in the long run, all children are affected. The DivorceCare for Kids program will help minimize and eliminate the short- and long-term negative effects of divorce on a child's schoolwork, relationships, emotional health and spiritual life. It provides the opportunity for children of divorce to experience hope, help, and restoration in their lives today and in the future.

For more information, visit www.dc4k.org, or call 800-395-5755.