Not Alone

Life is busy. We often get distracted from the demands of family and work that we forget about the men and women who sacrifice much in mission work around the world. And because of SBCV national partnerships, together we are making an impact for God's Kingdom. Otis is one of those ministry workers who works overseas through the International Mission Board. He works with the North African and Middl...

Approximately 100,000 people work and live in a one mile radius of the US capitol. And God called Pastor Zack Randles to plant Waterfront Church to share the Good News of Jesus Christ right in the heart of this incredible mission field.   SBCV's Brandon Pickett sat down with Pastor Zack to talk about how God gave the vision to move his family from Texas to a city they had never even visited. What...

The SBC of Virginia has been partnering with the North American Mission Board to plant churches in the Washington, DC and northern Virginia area for some time. But now, there is an expanded partnership to plant churches throughout the entire Commonwealth called, Send Network Virginia. This will bring additional support and resources with the goal to plant many more churches. There is also now a le...

Bi-vocational ministry can present so many challenges for pastors. For Pastor Rob Haynes, he found a way for his ministry at First Baptist Church of Jonesville to come before his job as a chiropractor. But how do other churches successfully balance the demands of family, ministry, and work?   Travis Ingle is the SBCV southwest region catalyst as well as senior pastor at North Bristol Baptist Churc...

It can happen to every church. The busyness of ministry can have us all focus on inward needs. But there are so many ways to meet practical needs with those in our community that ultimately provides opportunities to lead our neighbors to Jesus Christ. Darrell Webb, regional catalyst for the SBCV, talks with Brian Collison, lead pastor of Pillar Church of Woodlawn in Alexandria, VA, about how God i...

Teaching youth how to serve others as Jesus set the example can be a daunting task in today's culture. Combine that challenge with traveling overseas and that might have ministry leaders quickly losing their patience. SBCV Student Ministry Strategist Mike Camire digs into how we can successfully train young people to lead others to Christ. George Siler joins the conversation to provide solutions t...

Some might say that it's a lot easier to just turn on the church livestream on Sunday morning instead of attending. But the Bible says something different about this topic. Community is important to your daily walk with Christ. Pastor Hopson Boutot at Poquoson Baptist Church in Poquoson, Virginia talks about the importance of church attendance with SBCV Church Planting Strategist, Jeff Mingee. Not...

As churches begin the transition into the fall season, what are the priorities of leaders as they prepare lessons and activities for children? Delanee Williams, content editor for LifeWay Kids, shares helpful tips for the classroom with personal experiences to help guide teachers of preschoolers and children. Listen as Delanee discusses discipleship with Cindy Middaugh, SBCV children's ministry st...

Thousands of refugee families have arrived in Virginia since August. They left their homes in Afghanistan to find freedoms that we are blessed to experience in America. But many of these refugees brought very little, if anything at all, with them. And the need is very great! Two SBCV churches are leading efforts to support these families with supplies and encouragement. SBCV's Brandon Pickett and...

A lot of graduates fresh out of seminary should be excited to serve the Lord and follow His guidance to shepherd a church. And while a degree says graduates are ready, their experience might say something else. But there is a helpful solution available. The Bonhoeffer Haus is a ministry that builds ministry apprenticeships within cohorts doing life together in meaningful ways. Jesse Furey is the e...

Beyond corporate worship times, there is another facet to the life of the church, it's the impact small groups and Sunday School can have. But how do these communities produce discipleship? Ken Braddy is the Director of Sunday School for Lifeway Christian Resources in Nashville, TN. In this episode, Braddy shares with Steve Bradshaw, director of evangelism and strategic initiatives for the SBCV, t...

Just about 2,000 people were killed and 9,900 injured in Haiti on August 14, 2021, after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake ripped apart the impoverished nation. More than 38,000 homes were totally destroyed with almost 48,000 homes damaged or collapsed. Unfortunately, those numbers continue to rise with each passing day. The SBC of Virginia Relief Ministries team is working with national agencies to find...

Communities across our nation are growing more and more diverse. So, how is your church reaching age, race, and ethnic groups that are different from the makeup of your current congregation? Dr. Matt Willmington, executive pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, shares how over the last decade, this church has invested in Korean, Chinese, and Hispanic families and ministries....

James 1:22 shares that we should not just listen to God's Word, but we should do what it says. When it comes to serving and sharing the Gospel with others, how does missions play a part in your family or church?   During SBCV's Family Fusion, Brian Parker, minister of young adults, missions, and education at Kempsville Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, shared his missions experience with Ishmael L...

Planning a weekly message can be challenging and overwhelming. Leaning into the Holy Spirit should be the first move. But how do you incorporate illustrations and other elements to keep your congregation engaged? Don Cockes, SBCV regional catalyst, talks about preaching experiences with Daniel Palmer, senior pastor of North Roanoke Baptist Church in Roanoke, Virginia. In their conversation, they d...

When trying to revitalize a church, it is easy to just look inward. But what if looking outward is one of the main keys to health and growth? What if getting to know your community and finding ways to serve them propels your church to evangelism, missions, and outreach?   Rusty Small, SBCV church revitalization strategist, shares that community events can definitely serve as a great strategy - a r...

Is your ministry ready to respond when a crisis affects someone in your community? Becoming a Ready Church is an incredible ministry to reach your community in time of need. Shawn Ames, relief director for the SBC of Virginia, connected with two active members at a Ready Church. Tim Grandstaff and Ernie Rogers of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg share experience with Shawn that can help you...

One day your church may be in the process of looking for a new pastor. Where will your church find this shepherd? Most churches are familiar with the path of using a search team or search committee. Perhaps not as familiar is developing another pastor from within your congregation.     In today's Not Alone Podcast episode, pastors Matt Gregory and Clint Woods from Soul Purpose Community Church in...

There are essential elements needed to create a vibrant women's ministry. No matter how small or big your congregation, this podcast covers how to build a new team or strengthen your existing one. Dolly Mink, women's ministry coordinator for the SBC of Virginia, shares her leadership experience and helpful tools with Donna Paulk, women's ministry team leader for the SBC of Virginia. Not Alone Podc...

Pastors don’t often have the opportunity to hire staff members, and you want to make the best choice when those opportunities come. Mark Custalow, SBCV Regional Catalyst in Hampton Roads, talks with Dr. Chris Dowd about how to make good hiring decisions when hiring staff.  Dowd is a co-founder and leading elder at Bedrock Church in Bedford, VA and the newly appointed Church Planting Director at Li...

It is not difficult to identify dividing factors in our culture today. However, we must encourage brothers, pastors, and co-laborers to not be silenced or intimidated by the culture but to continue to keep their minds steadfast on Christ (truth) and impact congregations with truth that when lived produces light and salt to the glory of God. Milton Harding, church and pastor relations strategist fo...

Missional living is not just a one day a week concept, and it looks different when you compare communities in a rural setting to an urban environment. So, how do you successfully do this? John Sharp, church planting strategist for the SBC of Virginia, speaks with two pastors to go behind the curtain to see how two different churches are leading this lifestyle. Pastor Dave Farris from Northstar Chu...

One of the first lessons you learn in bi-vocational ministry is to manage your time, or your time will manage you. Travis Ingle, southwest regional catalyst for the SBC of Virginia, talks with Brandon Estep, senior pastor of Garden Baptist Church in Grundy, VA, about bi-vocational ministry, time management, setting priorities, and sharing the Gospel.  Not Alone Podcast Episode 15

Ministry leaders have had to overcome challenges from the last year and develop new ways of discipling. One church discovered strategies and initiatives that led to life transformation among their youth and their families, as well as ministry leaders.  Mike Camire, Next Gen ministry strategist with the SBC of Virginia, talks with Seth Peterson, student pastor at First Baptist Church in Norfolk, VA...

May is National Foster Care Month. What if every SBC of Virginia church cared for seven foster families and children? What an impact we could make, helping foster children and foster families know that they are not alone. Dr. Todd Chipman invested time with the SBC of Virginia to help churches begin thinking about how we are uniquely equipped to meet the needs of these vulnerable children. Chipman...