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Kingdom Vision
A Christmas Reminder
Returning home late one Sunday night on that lonely stretch of road between Lynchburg and Richmond, I listened to a CD of Handel's Messiah. I had forgotten that the opening lines were from Isaiah 40. I was also reminded how those opening lines were unforgettably set for a tenor's voice, beginning with three notes simply descending like a hand on the shoulder: "Comfort ye." Then the voice rises to new strength: "Comfort ye my people," saith your God.
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Featured Partner
Virginia Baptist Historical Society
Since 1876 the Virginia Baptist Historical Society has been collecting, preserving, and sharing the tangible history of Baptists in Virginia. Across the years it has amassed a large collection, which has assisted churches, district associations, Baptist organizations, ministers, denominational workers, and others in informational needs.
The heart of the Society's collection is the church records repository, which contains over 3,500 original church record books from some 500 congregations. In addition, the Society's archives include photographs, oil portraits, artifacts, and other memorabilia; the entire run of the Religious Herald since its founding in 1828; all of the annuals from the district associations in Virginia, as well as the BGAV since its founding in 1823; and the diaries, journals, sermons, correspondence and other personal papers of several hundred individuals.
A companion yet separate entity is the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies. Created in 2000, the Center's primary purpose is educational. It has produced church resources, a website, and convocations on topics of current concern to Baptists.
Visit their website.
Did You Know?
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That for 46 years the Virginia Baptist Historical Society has published an annual journal, the Virginia Baptist Register, which includes scholarly articles of interest?
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That pre-arranged tours of the Society's Heritage Gallery are offered to church groups of all ages? To schedule a tour, contact Elsie Richards, administrative assistant.
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That the Society's library and archives is used by some 1,000 researchers each year?
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That each year Fred Anderson presents some 35 to 50 presentations in churches and association meetings, including costumed historical monologues as 18th- or 19th-century personages from Baptist history? |
Feedback
As always, we want to hear from you with your feedback. How can we better communicate with you? How can we better serve you? Let us know your thoughts by sending an e-mail to Paige Peak at paige.peak@vbmb.org. |
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| Dear Lynn,
Christmas Greetings! In this December edition of Advance Notice, you'll find John Upton's reminder that our lives are meant to proclaim the Good News of Christmas, as well as Fred Anderson's historical account of Christmas memories that encourage us to "take the spirit of Christmastide into the rest of the year." You'll also find relevant, useful information and resources to help you live out the true meaning of Christmas in ministry and mission. May God bless you with Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love at Christmas and throughout the coming year. |
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Connect:2007 Evaluations - Last Chance!
If you attended this year's BGAV Annual Meeting, we'd like to hear your thoughts about it. If you haven't yet submitted an evaluation, either manually or online, please complete your evaluation here no later than December 13.
Connect:2007 DVDs
If you are interested in receiving information about purchasing a DVD of the Connect:2007 sessions, please send your name and contact information to Penny Jenkins at penny.jenkins@vbmb.org or 800.255.2428, ext. 1212. Detailed information on content, cost, and ordering methods will be sent when it is available. The Kingdom Advance retrospective video that was shown on Tuesday morning during the Report of the Executive Director and the Treasurer will be mailed free of charge with the next Ministry Messenger. If you do not currently receive Ministry Messenger and would like a copy of this DVD, please contact Penny Jenkins at the email address or phone number above. |
PREPARE/ENRICH Relationship Inventory Training for Clergy or Counselors
December 11, 2007
8:45am - 4:00pm
Virginia Baptist Resource Center,
Richmond, VA
Want to have the best available tool to help couples in your congregation who are getting married or who are seeking marriage enrichment at various stages of their marriage relationship? Mark your calendar and register now for this training opportunity for PREPARE/ENRICH Relationship Inventory Training from Life Innovations, Inc. VBMB staff Dee Whitten and John Tadlock took this class last year and highly recommend it! Registration information is available here or by calling 804.288.3431. |
National Sunday School Director Seminar
January 11-12, 2008
Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center
Registration closes next week (December 11)!
Co-sponsored by the Virginia Baptist Mission Board and LifeWay Christian Resources, this two-day seminar focuses on the role of the Sunday School Director and how he or she carries out that role. Sunday School Directors will gain a new understanding about the importance of their role, how to build a strong Sunday School team, growing their Sunday School, reaching people for Christ, developing life-transforming teaching, and building a strategy for their Sunday School. Click here for more information. |
God's Stories
God's Stories: An Illustrated History of Baptists in Virginia is a new 260-page book which tells the Virginia Baptist story primarily through the 36 panels of the Virginia Baptist History Mural by Sidney E. King. The mural is a feature of the Heritage Gallery at the Virginia Baptist Historical Society. The history has been written by Fred Anderson, executive director of the Historical Society. God's Stories for Children, also by Fred Anderson, is a 32-page, full-color companion book to the adult book. Click here for additional content and ordering information. |
"Money Map" Seminar - Live Via Satellite!
First Baptist Church, Charlottesville
January 26, 2008
The First Baptist Church of Charlottesville and the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, in association with Crown Financial Ministries, are presenting a "Money Map" live simulcast featuring Howard Dayton, Les & Leslie Parrott, Ron Blue, and more! Crown Financial Ministries proven, balanced teaching of practical money management skills and biblical principles will equip your church members with the skills to get out of debt, save for the future, make ends meet, invest wisely, give generously, budget effectively, and more! For more information or to register online, click here. |
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21-C Causing Heaven to Celebrate
February 15-16, 2008
FBC Woodbridge, Virginia
Registration opens December 15!
This year's innovative 21-C Conference will launch a movement that has the potential for radically reducing lostness in Virginia by 14% as Virginia Baptists are mobilized to bring an estimated 623,000 souls back to the body of Christ. This is a God-sized vision, rooted in the belief that God is about to do something miraculous in Virginia. The theme this year - "Causing Heaven to Celebrate" - reflects Jesus' statement that "...there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance" (Luke 15:7). Facilitators include Alan Hirsch, Doug Murren, Dennis Pethers, Nelson Searcy, and Curt Watke. Visit the 21-C website for more information or to register. |
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Cyclone Sidr Disaster Relief Aid to Bangladesh
Virginia Baptists will provide $16,000 in disaster relief funds to assist those in Bangladesh who have been affected by Cyclone Sidr. These funds will be used to purchase 500 relief packages containing food, water, and blankets; construct ten new family houses; and drill five wells. Each of these projects was conceived by Rev. Leor Sarkar, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Fellowship of Baptist Churches, and will be implemented under his direction. Information on donating to the VBMB's Disaster Relief Fund is available here. |
This Month in Our History...with Fred Anderson
Each one of us has a favorite Christmas story. As you might expect, mine come out of the pages of Virginia Baptist history. Robert Healy Pitt was the dean of religious newspaper editors in America when he died in 1937. For some 50 years he had been associated with the Religious Herald, which he served as senior editor from 1906 until his death. His writings often included glimpses into earlier periods of life in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Below are his Christmas memories as shared in the Herald in December 1926. The article is included in a collection entitled Christmas among the Baptists of Virginia, which has been published by the Virginia Baptist Historical Society.
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Star Ahead
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 KJV
The wisemen were looking for a sign. A sign that would lead them to the long-awaited Messiah. As wisemen they were always on the lookout--seeking the one who would be their salvation. The sign that would lead them came in the form of a star.
Virginia Baptists are on mission to shine the light and love of Jesus Christ to those in darkness. Through the combined giving of 1,400 Baptist General Association of Virginia churches to Cooperative Missions, we are able to witness to those who are seeking God's illuminating love.
For free downloadable ads for use in your church bulletin, eNewsletter and/or website, click here. | |
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Read the Bible Through in 2008 
