Not Alone

As ministry leaders, we often become more concerned with or put our energies into strategies or programs that prompt evangelism or hope it will lead to evangelistic activity. But one of the best strategies available might be to just do the work of an evangelist. SBCV's Steve Bradshaw caught up with Liberty University's David Wheeler who teaches students evangelism and, more importantly, lives out...

Governing church documents for things like employees, code of conduct, facility use, and even marriage are being legally challenged right now in America - and in Virginia. This is just one of many attacks on the church that can catch us all off-guard.   The SBC of Virginia is partnering with Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) to provide churches of any size access to legal representation that will d...

Going on a missions trip overseas can seem daunting with all the unknowns, but the rewards from investing in others for the Gospel is amazing to experience firsthand. One SBCV pastor is leading his church to continue the mission work they have been supporting in Lithuania.   Pastor Brent Hobbs at New Song Fellowship in Virginia Beach has always had a passion to support missionaries thanks to the p...

The world is constantly speaking into the minds of our children with voices that want to turn them from following God and His Word. As children’s ministry leaders, we need to make sure they are hearing the voice of truth over all the noise.    Jeremiah 31:33 tells us, “I will put my Laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”...

The Bible tells us we can find joy in serving the Lord. This truth does not mean we will skip the tough days. All church leaders have challenges - no matter whether they are a man or a woman.   Rachel Lovingood is an author and wife of a minister who served as a student pastor and lead pastor. Along this journey, Rachel also took on many roles to assist in ministry and encountered loneliness and h...

Vision and obedience to Jesus Christ are characteristics that help guide us to reach people with the Gospel. One important way to follow God’s calling is to be a sending church which can transform your congregation and lead people to the Gospel.   John Pouchot is the pastor of Petsworth Baptist Church in Gloucester who has a heart for planting churches. Join Pastor Pouchot and SBCV's Josh Turner a...

Sometimes we can get so caught up in finding a special technique to share the Gospel that we forget some of the main ingredients that make it possible. Dr. Jeff Iorg, president of Gateway Seminary, shares how we need to pray and rely on the Holy Spirit in these opportunities that God gives us. Brandon Pickett caught up with Dr. Iorg during SBCV's Evangelism in Metro Areas conference. Dr. Iorg led...

There has never been a greater urgency for the Gospel to reach the nations. Healthcare missionaries are opening doors to a hurting world and granting access to unreached peoples and places in unique ways.   SBCV's Mission Strategist Brad Russell is joined by Dr. Rebekah Naylor who has been a healthcare missionary with IMB for more than 50 years. She is known as a legend by many being called to hea...

Are you prepared to share the Gospel with people who are different from you? In Virginia, you do not have to go far to find families from other cultures. SBCV's Sergio Guardia caught up with Dr. Melody Harper to discuss culture intelligence to determine if there is a formula to communicate effectively with others from different backgrounds. Dr. Harper is the associate professor and director of Glo...

God can do big things no matter the size of the community or the ministry. Pastor Stan Parris has seen this over the last 14 years at Franklin Heights Church in Franklin County. Among the many ministry impacts, the church has made intentional strides to reach those in their community, such as those dealing with recovery from substance abuse. SBCV's Don Cockes caught up with Pastor Stan to learn ho...

The Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary has become a humanitarian relief center and a logistics hub for students, graduates, and their families, as well as other people in need from the effects of the Russian attacks. Listen to an interview with the seminary president who shares more. With the ongoing invasion, there are many humanitarian needs. SBC of Virginia churches can come alongside churc...

Just because you've been doing something for a long time, doesn't mean it still works. It's important to step back at times to assess the effectiveness of ministry. SBCV's Donna Paulk caught up with Kelly King to talk through key trends on what is working in women's ministry now. King is the Women's Ministry Specialist at Lifeway.

Not many pastors can say they began and ended their ministry career at one church. Mike Fitzgerald started as pastor of Clifford Baptist Church in Amherst in 1982. Four decades later, the Lord is leading him to transition to a new ministry role. His attention will now go to coming alongside other pastors to help them where they are and where God could be leading them and their church.   SBCV's Rus...

The Youth Evangelism Conference (YEC) brought in more than 500 young people from across Virginia in January. Sent was the theme with a focus on what God lays out in Scripture through the Great Commission. SBCV's Mike Camire caught up with Cliff Jordan who was the guest speaker at YEC and is the pastor of Movement Church. In this podcast, they rehash the biblical lessons shared during this event to...

Getting the title mom and dad is one of the greatest highlights in our lifetime. Parenting sure can bring worry and burden into the mix to care for the physical and spiritual nurture of our children. But where are we sourcing our power to make the best decisions? SBCV's Donna Paulk explores this topic with Lifeway Author and Speaker Jeannie Cunnion. Listen as they talk through what it looks like t...

Change is inevitable. And we have all certainly experienced this in some fashion over the last couple of years. But how do we respond to change when it comes to ministry?   Pastor Greg Brinson has served at London Bridge Baptist Church in Virginia Beach for more than 25 years. He and his team have had to adapt to ministry adjustments many times. Hear from a personal level how the Lord has guided P...

In his five years of leadership, Pastor Nathan Cecil has led Fox Hill Road Baptist Church in Hampton through good times and challenges. Through it all, one of his focuses has been for every church member to grow in spiritual maturity and increase daily reading of Scriptures to grow closer with the Lord. SBCV's Jeff Mingee caught up with Pastor Cecil to take a look at how every church goes through...

Jason Miyares is a name a lot of Virginians got to know over the last year. He was part of the ticket that made history in November of 2021. Miyares, who will be inaugurated as Attorney General on Saturday, January 15th, was raised in a Southern Baptist church where he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.    One of the first actions made by Miyares after he was elected was to join a Zoom...

Weather patterns have impacted every single person on this earth. Some can say they've never experienced life-altering natural disasters. Others have very real experiences that changed everything. In fact, thousands are still dealing with the recent tornado that devastated parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas.   Shawn Ames is the SBCV Relief Ministries Coordinator who leads our churches resp...

As disciples, we know that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the one true king. On this side of heaven, though, citizens are elected into offices to make decisions that impact our families and churches.   The November election flipped the top three offices and changed the balance of power in the General Assembly. But what does that mean for churches and families? SBCV's Brandon Pickett caught up...

God has brought people from almost every nation of the world to Virginia. More than 12,000 Spanish-speaking people live in the Harrisonburg area alone. On today’s Not Alone Podcast, we learn about a new collaboration of churches working together to help plant a church to reach Spanish communities. SBCV's John Sharp speaks with Broadway Baptist Church Pastor Donnie Owen and Sígueme Church Planter P...

The Living Christmas Tree has been a holiday favorite for many in central Virginia for 50 years! Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg celebrates the anniversary for this attraction, now called the Virginia Christmas Spectacular. The service typically includes an impressive display of lights, music, singing, and story that directs hearts to the birth of our Savior. Jonathan Falwell, pastor of Th...

It’s been said that there is a “call” to ministry and a "wall" in ministry. Somewhere in between those two, you may find yourself wondering if you’re effectively doing the work of the ministry.   Today’s podcast will address this topic in a very real and transparent way. Here’s a sample, “…don’t allow discouragement, frustrations, criticisms and the like be added to your disobedience…” Wow, how go...

Churches often think of international missions as something across the ocean in another continent. But did you know that people from just about every nation in the world is represented here in Virginia? That makes sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with the nations much easier.   Matt Gregory and Allen James talk about the excitement and challenges of gospel partnership and how your church can...

We certainly live in a world where fear can be triggered from so many different sources. As Christ followers, we know that the Bible encourages us to not worry and be anxious for nothing. SBCV's Donna Paulk caught up with Scarlet Hiltibidal to talk through how we can biblically handle anxiety. Scarlet is the author of Anxious: Fighting Anxiety with the Word of God. She is also a speaker and shares...