Virginia Baptists asked for leadership development and continuing education that is close to the local church, customized to fit needs, and led by local leadership. Regional cooperatives respond to these criteria by providing centers for training in strategic locations across the state. Kingdom Advance churches with a vision for empowering leaders are clustered around these centers to provide accessible, customized continuing education opportunities for clergy and key lay leaders.

Regional cooperative centers involve a partnership of local churches, associations, and educational institutions. These partnerships allow for training opportunities at a variety of levels including: degree programs, diploma in ministry, ministry certification, training modules, and numerous events.

Currently, regional cooperatives have developed as follows:

• Northern Virginia Cooperative—NorthStar Church Network (formerly Mt. Vernon and Potomac Associations).
• Richmond Area Cooperative— Dover, Richmond, Middle District, and Petersburg Associations.
• Tidewater/Hampton Roads Cooperative— Accomack, Peninsula, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Blackwater Associations.
• Central Virginia Cooperative— Fredericksburg, Goshen, Shiloh, and Central Virginia Associations.
• Southern Virginia Cooperative— Piedmont, Lynchburg, Strawberry, Staunton River, Henry County, Pittsylvania, and Dan River Associations.
• Roanoke Valley— Roanoke Valley Association.
• Heart of Appalachia Cooperative— Clinch Valley, Lebanon, New Lebanon, Powell River, and Wise Associations