Every day the story of your life is being written and what you do with it can affect eternity. Join students in the Roanoke Valley as they gather to hear speakers Brent Gambrell and Seth Franco explore the question, “What’s Your Story?” Thomas Brown of New Century Community Church, Roanoke, VA, will lead worship.
 

Imagine what it would look like if you were “sold out” for Jesus…or if your entire family were in relationship with God through Christ. High school students from across the state will gather together to imagine and consider the possibilities when students were united in purpose for God’s Kingdom. Michael Kelly of Nashville, TN, is the speaker and the Seth Medley Band will lead worship. Registration is open now!

 

This event, formerly known as the Pastor-Deacon-Church Leadership Conference, is a high-impact leadership gathering focusing on the growth of the spiritual leadership and direction in the local congregation. All church leaders and their spouses are encouraged to attend. Reggie McNeal, Missional Leadership Specialist for Leadership Network of Dallas, TX and author of Practicing Greatness and Missional Renaissance is the featured speaker.

Early Bird registration is open now, so register today to save $15!
 

All-State Choirs
February 26-27, 2010

Youth EnCounter: Christiansburg
April 23, 2010

Youth EnCounter: Mechanicsville
April 24, 2010

Youth EnCounter: Clifton Forge
April 25, 2010

Impact Virginia!
June-July 2010
(4 week-long trips)

Virginia Baptist Disaster Relief continues to monitor the events in Haiti and how we can contribute to the relief efforts. Check the Disaster Relief webpage frequently for updates on how Virginia Baptists are ministering to the people of Haiti. Thus far, Virginia Baptists have donated over $70,000, and after the request for volunteers to help with the Stop Hunger Now meal packaging event, over 300 people contacted the VBMB to volunteer. While we have enough volunteers for this event, stay tuned for information about a new hands-on way to respond and information about an upcoming medical team. If you’d like to be on a list for future volunteer opportunities, contact Jeannette Hildebrand or call 800.255.2428, ext. 7260.

We are continuing to collect medical supplies to be transported to Haiti. Items should be brought to the Virginia Baptist Resource Center during the week of February 15-19. Download a list of approved items and delivery instructions.

We need your help. The Latino Network of Virginia Baptists is conducting a brief survey to identify areas of growing needs within the Latino community. A recent study reveals Latinos to be the fastest growing population in North America with nearly a half-million in Virginia alone. The results of this survey will allow us enhanced focus and enable improvements in a variety of ministry areas.

The Latino Network of Virginia Baptists is a collaborative effort on behalf of six Baptist organizations working together both for and with Latinos in Virginia. The organizations are the Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Virginia, the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, the John Leland Center for Theological Studies, and LUCHA Ministries, Inc. We value greatly your time and assistance with completing this survey. Thank you for supporting our efforts to reach all people with the Good News. Please contact Sue Smith (Latino Ministries, VBMB/CBF) if you have questions.

There are just a few weeks until the kick off of the Youth EnCounter season. The first of eight 2010 events is on February 26 in Salem with “What’s Your Story?” More information about each Youth EnCounter can be found on the YEC website.

Check out all Youth Ministry resources in the new
2010 Youth Ministry Coordination Team Booklet.

Have you made your reservations for Hawaii yet? July is just around the corner. Don’t miss the chance to make new friends and worship together at the Baptist World Congress July 28 – August 1 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Travel Assistance is available from Crossroads Travel Advisors.

For more information, visit the BWA webpage.
 

SBC Church Compensation Survey

For more than a decade, the SBC Church Compensation Survey’s results have been used by church finance and personnel committees to establish competitive compensation packages for their ministers and staff. The 2010 survey is no available and your input is needed to ensure meaning results for our churches. The survey is available online through April 30.

For more information email Jeff Cranford, Financial Support Planning Specialist, VBMB, or call 800.255.2428, ext. 5344.
 

Did you know that the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) provides scholarships and ministerial educational funds for eligible Virginia Baptist students? For more information, visit the Scholarships webpage. April 1 is the application deadline, so go online and apply today!

Camp Piankatank Registration Discount Extended

It’s time to register for Camp Piankatank! If you are one of the first 100 people to register before February 15, you will receive an early registration discount. Register your children today!

This summer's theme is "KNATAKNAIP: Yes, That's Piankatank Backwards" -- a play on the idea that society usually acts backwards from the ways in which God has instructed us to live (Psalm 1:1-2).

For more information, call 804.776.9552 or visit the Camp Piankatank website.
 

This month is the centennial of an important event. Exactly a century ago, on February 8, the trustees of Richmond College (now the University of Richmond) met to consider relocating the school from its campus located close to the city to land in the far western suburbs known as Westhampton. Founded by the Baptists in 1830, the school had evolved from academy to seminary to college; and it had been at the near-downtown location since 1834. In 1840 the seminary became Richmond College, a liberal arts school.

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