Not Alone

How do you serve in a historic or traditional church and make changes that don't blow up the ministry or leave a trail of destruction behind you? Josh Morgan, the pastor of 1st Baptist of Dillwyn, believes that the answer may be as simple as listening, learning, and staying long enough to build relationships that, in turn, help solve long-standing issues keeping the church from growing.

Pastor Chad Wilhelm from Winchester, VA, shares his story of how he and his church are navigating a growing community, a growing church, and nowhere else to grow! How do you move forward with limited resources but unlimited opportunities for ministry? It's an incredibly helpful revitalization story

No matter the size of your ministry, everyone needs people right beside you taking on some of the load. In a church context, it's even more important - and Biblical - to have deacons. But do they even know what they are supposed to do and how to do it? And even more importantly, why? Pastor Jamie McClanahan talks with us in this Not Alone episode about how they are revitalizing their church throug...

What do you do when your church is growing but you aren't able to start a new service? How do you plan for and accommodate any new growth? In the case of Salem Baptist outside of Richmond, they decided to realize an earlier vision. They are going to actually break down the center wall of the building they currently occupy and open up major space. But Pastor Jeff Dickson believes this is just a vis...

This is a historic year in Virginia! The General Assembly has passed two amendments to our constitution that will dramatically change the way we deal with marriage and abortion in the Commonwealth. And they negatively target our Biblical and family values. Virginia Delegate Mark Earley and Michael Morisi from our strategic partner in Richmond, The Family Foundation, join the Not Alone Podcast to d...

A great way to invite families to your church is through sports. One of the strong ministries making an impact for God's glory is Upward Sports. SBCV's Cindy Middaugh invited Jennifer McCraw and Jessica Drotleff from Upward Sports to share how families are getting to know more about God through this dynamic ministry. Listen to this conversation that may encourage your church to begin one for your...

How intentional are you with your prayer life? There are so many distractions around us that it is easy to get out of a daily routine of communicating with the Lord. SBCV's Dolly Mink thinks through this topic with Andrea Lennon who works with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Andrea is also the guest speaker for the Equip Women's Conference on May 4, 2024 at Kempsville Baptist Church in Virg...

Girls who are in 6th through 12th grade are searching for their identity. This can become a very blurry and challenging task. They need truth spoken in their lives. SBCV's Lexi Shipp caught up with Gabrielle McCullough, an author and speaker who helps strengthen women to be God-honoring. Gabrielle is also the keynote speaker for Purpose: A Gathering for Girls . This SBCV event is on September 22,...

Women's ministry can sometimes get a bad rep for being inwardly-focused. So, how do we change this to help minister to those around us for God's glory? In this podcast, LifeWay's Women's Ministry Specialist Kelly King shares ministry trends for this year. Listen as SBCV's Donna Paulk joins the conversation to learn about resources and training opportunities. Not Alone Podcast Episode #102

Language barriers cause a real challenge when it comes to reaching your community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One SBCV church leader is using technology to make it so much easier to cross those barriers! SBCV's Josh Turner caught up with Heath Kouns, an elder of Hope Valley Church in Christiansburg, to learn about Polyglossia. This is an electronic resource Heath helped to develop that can tr...

Research shows that college graduates are leaving the faith or are not pursuing God. One Virginia Beach church is making it their mission to encourage students to keep pressing on. Every Wednesday afternoon, teams from Green Run Baptist Church set up a table at Old Dominion University in Norfolk to speak with students and ask tough questions about where they are in their walk with Jesus Christ. SB...

There was nothing easy about bringing the church through and out of the covid lock-down days. Senior Pastor Dan Ellis and Worship and Discipleship Pastor David Morton of Rileyville Baptist Church walked through a season of decline.  Through prayer, they knew they needed to be stirred up in obedience to the Lord and to be encouraged. SBCV's Darrell Webb spoke with Dan and David to hear how obedienc...

It takes a village to make it happen. That phrase is so true when it comes to community and church services. Amy Whitfield is the executive director of communications at the Summit Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. Amy shares with SBCV's Donna Paulk the challenges of leadership and the importance of relying on strength from the Lord. Not Alone Podcast Episode #98

God leads each of us differently. Some are called into ministry that may move or change often. Others are rooted into communities for a much longer time. But that doesn’t mean their time is without struggles and challenges. Pastor Kevin Cummings has served for more than 25 years at Fincastle Baptist Church located just outside of Roanoke. SBCV's Don Cockes caught up with Pastor Kevin to hear how G...

We've all experienced tragedy. For some, it's life-changing. Sixteen years ago, the Barrick family was traveling home from church when a drunk driver hit their family van. Through the injuries and healing, God was in it all. It even launched the ministry, Hope Out Loud. SBCV's Donna Paulk spoke with Linda Barrick to hear their testimony. Listen how her daughter, Jen, was significantly impacted and...

Nansemond River Baptist Church (NRBC) in Suffolk needed a pastor in 2015. Little did this congregation know that God was aligning a shepherd who has the same heart towards missions. In this podcast episode, SBCV's Jeff Mingee asks Pastor Ryan Brice what it takes for a church to make an impact beyond their local community. Listen for some practical steps that you can take to help include internatio...

It is vital for children to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. According to Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), once a young person turns 14, he or she is less likely to trust the Lord as their Savior. So, how are we reaching children who don't attend church? SBCV's Cindy Middaugh talks strategy with CEF's Robert Powers. He shares how the Good News Club is an incredible resource that reaches children...

When Phil Cohen made the decision to follow our Lord and Savior, he immediately developed a passion of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with the world and the many people around us who have not heard this message. SBCV's Steve Bradshaw caught up with Phil to hear his testimony. You will also learn more about the Gospel tool, Saturate USA, and how your church can start using it to make discipl...

Every pastor needs a break from time to time. This God-ordained role requires being ready 24 hours - every day - to minister to the needs of the congregation and the community. Spending intentional time to rest is a critical part of a pastor's health. SBCV's Milton Harding spent some time with Pastor Gene Cornett of Bethany Place Baptist Church in North Chesterfield. Pastor Gene shares how he expe...

Tammy Ethridge had a health scare in 2022 that was unlike any other she's ever experienced. It started with a visit to the emergency room and transitioned into the inability to walk, an internal loss of blood faster than she could receive it, and doctors saying she wasn't going to make it. Tammy is the wife of Senior Pastor Grant Ethridge at LibertyLive Church in Hampton. SBCV's Donna Paulk caught...

Discipling teenagers is an essential ministry at home and at church. Youth groups need to experience serving others as Christ served the church. And young people have a chance to grow in their walk with the Lord through the SBCV Fusion Mission Camp. In fact, students at the 2022 camp were a part of leading six high school football players to trust Christ as Lord and Savior! We praise God for this....

Este episodio del podcast Not Alone honra el legado de Clint Clifton, quien fue llamado al hogar celestial el 12 de enero de 2023. Clint fue un plantador de iglesias que amaba a Dios. Amaba a los plantadores de iglesias y la misión. Clint fue el director principal de investigación de la Junta de Misiones de América del Norte (NAMB) y un capacitador y entrenador clave para los plantadores de iglesi...

This episode of the Not Alone Podcast honors the legacy of Clint Clifton who was called home to heaven on January 12, 2023. Clint was a church planter who loved God. He loved church planters and the mission. Clint was the senior director of research for the North American Mission Board and a key trainer and coach for church planters. Jefferson Hernandez and Giovani Ortiz are church planters who we...

The war in Ukraine continues to rage on. It was just about one year ago that Russia invaded Ukraine. Millions of people have been forced to evacuate their homes and flee. But ministry continues with those who have stayed and the millions of refugees. SBCV's Donna Paulk caught up with Irena Radziwiluk, a Ukrainian native who ministers with Word of Life Fellowship focusing on reaching young people w...

The Lord is with you! God gives us that promise. It was also the theme of the Annual Homecoming in November of 2022 where Pastor Stan Parris shared from 2 Corinthians 4 with the message, Don't Lose Heart. Pastor Parris is the pastor of Franklin Heights in Rocky Mount. He also serves as president of the SBC of Virginia. Be encouraged in this message as you serve King Jesus in your area of ministry....