More than 400 attendees were encouraged to “Press On” in ministry during the Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia (SBC of Virginia) Annual Homecoming on November 8-9 at The Heights Baptist Church in Colonial Heights, VA.
Paul Chitwood was elected president of the IMB in November 2018. He previously had served as executive director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention since 2011. For 18 years prior to that, Chitwood served as the pastor of local churches of varying sizes in Kentucky. During his pastorates, he served as chairman of the International Mission Board’s trustees from 2008-10, part of his tenure as an IMB trustee from 2002-10. His overseas short-term mission involvement includes work in South America, Asia, Europe and Africa. A native of Jellico, Tenn., Chitwood is a 1992 graduate of Cumberland College and earned the Master of Divinity and Ph.D. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as a faculty member of the seminary between 2002 and 2018. He currently is pursuing a master’s degree in nonprofit administration from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame. He and his wife, Michelle, have four children.
Dr. Akin is married to Charlotte Akin. They have been married since May 27, 1978. They have four sons who all currently serve in the ministry. He has 4 daughters-in-law and 14 grandchildren! Dr. Akin currently serves as the President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and is a Professor of Preaching and Theology. Dr. Akin and his wife Charlotte have traveled to Sudan, Turkey, Middle East, Kenya, Asia, Central Asia, Thailand, India and Paraguay serving our students and missionaries and helping share the gospel.
Charles Billingsley is the teaching pastor at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. Launching his career more than two decades ago fronting GRAMMY®- nominated genre giants NewSong, Billingsley has since headlined more than 3,000 concerts and released 24 recordings as a solo artist. He regularly appears at such popular events as Women of Joy, Gridiron Men, and Celebrators, among numerous others. Charles and his wife, Shae, have two sons.
Bruce Frank is the Lead Pastor of Biltmore Church. Biltmore has six campuses and has repeatedly been named as one of the top 100 fastest growing and largest churches in America. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with wife Lori. They have two sons, Conner and Tyler, daughter-in-law, Carissa and granddaughter, Elsie Grace. Bruce was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but grew up in Oklahoma and Texas. He became a follower of Christ at the age of 17 through the influence of his three brothers. Bruce earned his undergraduate degree in Finance from Texas Tech University, his M.Div. from Southwestern Seminary and his D.Min. from Luther Rice Seminary. His hobbies include golf, running, and reading. He loves dogs, cats… not so much.
Dr. Allen R. McFarland (D.Min., D.D.) is the Senior Pastor of Calvary Evangelical Baptist Church in Portsmouth, Virginia for 38 years. Pastor “Mac”, as he is affectionately called, is a minister of the Word of God whose journey of faithful service began in 1972 in Washington DC. As a bridge-builder and ministry executive, Pastor McFarland is a board member of the following organizations and institutions: Trustee at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA; Association of Baptist for World Evangelism (ABWE), Harrisburg, PA; Atlantic Shores Christian Schools, Virginia Beach, VA; and Kids Across America (KAA), Branson, MO. On November 12, 2019, he was elected President of the Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia. Among many honors for his leadership, Pastor McFarland was featured in the Black Christian News Network (BCNN1), among the Nation’s 70 Most influential Black Christian History Makers who are living today and serving Jesus Christ with their various gifts and talents. Pastor McFarland and Doris, his best friend over 53 years, have 5 children and 16 grandchildren.
Dr. Brian Autry is the Executive Director of the Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia (SBC of Virginia). He previously started Parkway Baptist Church in Moseley, Virginia in 2002 and served as senior pastor. Brian received his bachelor’s degree from James Madison University, his Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and his Doctor of Ministry degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Brian and his wife, Jennifer, have three children, Melissa, Mark, and Jenna.
Information and schedule for the SBC of Virginia’s Annual Homecoming at The Heights Baptist Church in South Chesterfield, on November 8-9, 2020.
In this Ministry Report for the churches of the SBC of Virginia, you will read much more than just statistics and reports. This is the combined story of how the Holy Spirit is edifying and multiplying a Great Commission coalition of churches that make disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
News of the amazing things God is doing through His Church in Virginia and around the world.
Focusing on the “self” as a resource entrusted to us by God, we will dive into what it means to maximize our potential as leaders. Through looking into our own habits and lives to see how we can properly take care of the bodies God has given us, we will live […]
An interactive Family Evangelistic Event Blitz Christmas from Kidz Blitz Ministries, is a church Christmas celebration every family member can’t stop talking about. This family experience is a mash-up of rockin’ Christmas music, extreme games, and crowd participation. Kidz Blitz Ministries calls Blitz Christmas a “crowd show” because it really is a […]
Join us in Yorktown on January 30 for Equip Women’s Conference! Equip focuses on helping women grow and mature in their walk with God by identifying the tools available to them through prayer, Scripture, and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Join us on February 2, 2021 for the Young Pastors’ Summit, a time of equipping and encouragement for young pastors.
Join us in Glen Allen on February 27 for Equip Women’s Conference! Equip focuses on helping women grow and mature in their walk with God by identifying the tools available to them through prayer, Scripture, and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Equip Your Children’s Ministry Leaders This Spring! A FREE training event with LifeWay and state guest speakers leading over 60 breakouts equipping preschool and children’s leaders.
En este Informe del Ministerio para las iglesias de la SBC de Virginia, leerá mucho más que solo estadísticas e informes. Esta es la historia combinada de cómo el Espíritu Santo está edificando y multiplicando una coalición de iglesias de la Gran Comisión que hacen discípulos del Señor Jesucristo.