Scroll down to view the videos shown during Annual Homecoming.
ROANOKE, Va. (BP) – The SBC of Virginia (SBCV) celebrated “Advancing the Gospel Together” during its Annual Homecoming at First Baptist Church of Roanoke Nov. 9-11 with more than 1,300 messengers and guests in attendance.
Forty-one churches requesting partnership with the SBCV were approved by messengers, bringing the total number of SBCV affiliated churches to 905.
In their sermons, Virginia pastors James Taylor and Jim Booth, who also serve as convention officers, called churches to boldly and fearlessly advance the Gospel together. Brian Autry, executive director of the SBCV, shared from 2 Corinthians 9 about cooperative partnership. “It is not just about giving, it is about fulfilling our calling as people who are deeply convictional,” Autry said. “It comes from our confession of the Gospel of Christ.”
“We’ve heard from so many across our state who have been blessed by your generosity,” he said, “and on behalf of so many, hear me clearly, thank you.”
Autry then encouraged churches to not stop the incredible generosity they have shown. “Don’t stop reaching our neighbors and the nations.” Autry then asked messengers what might be possible if churches gave $1 million more towards advancing the Gospel. “So, thank you for giving, don’t stop, and I challenge you to ask, ‘what if’,” Autry said.
The convention celebrated another incredible year of giving and significant financial milestones.
SBCV churches gave $10.3 million through the SBCV’s Cooperative Partnership, $1.3 million toward the Annie Armstrong Easter offering and $4.2 million toward the Lottie Moon Christmas offering.
All-time giving through the SBCV’s Cooperative Partnership/Program has now surpassed more than $226 million since the convention’s inception in 1996.
Upon recommendation from the executive board, messengers approved the proposed Ministry Investment Plan (MIP) of $10,800,000 for the upcoming 2026 fiscal year.
Of the total adopted Ministry Investment Plan amount, $10.3 million comes from SBC of Virginia churches giving related to Cooperative Program contributions. The adopted plan will be distributed with 51 percent going to national Southern Baptist Convention Cooperative Program ministries and 49 percent distributed to state level SBC of Virginia CP ministries.
Ministry reports during the Homecoming included highlights about international missions, church planting, Hispanic ministry, disaster relief, evangelism, church revitalization, children’s ministry, women ministry, men’s ministry and collegiate ministry.
Ministry updates and milestones included:
- The first evening was dedicated to the missions partnership with the International Mission Board which highlighted that one former unreached, unengaged people group (UUPG) in Africa is now off that list and a new people group was adopted.
- The Send Relief Serve Tour in Virginia Beach had more than 800 volunteers fulfilling 40 different projects. More than 1,200 Gospel conversations and 28 salvations took place during the event.
- 776 salvations reported through church plants.
- SBCV ethnic church plants include 141 churches worshipping primarily in a language other than English.
- The SBCV Hispanic Conferencia Renovados had its highest ever attendance.
- 100 SBCV churches have joined the church revitalization cohort since its inception in 2016.
- Churches involved with the BLESS evangelism strategy have reported 3-million prayers for their neighbors.
- The SBCV Next Gen ministry saw more than 2,000 students attend events in 2025.
- Recognizing pastors Mike Palmer, Don Matthews and Ken Nienke for their ministry service and influence in the early years of the SBCV. Palmer was one of the first pastors to lead his church to give through the SBCV Cooperative Partnership. Nienke led the SBCV’s church planting ministry and planted a church in Salem. Matthews helped the SBCV develop the decentralized regional ministry strategy and become one of first missionary strategists.
Messengers approved new and returning members of the SBCV executive board via recommendation from the nominating committee.
Messengers also unanimously approved SBCV officers for the upcoming year. Two officer positions went to new candidates, and two of the 2025 officers were approved for a second term.
Doug Echols, senior pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Yorktown, was named president. James Taylor, senior pastor of Red Lane Baptist Church in Powhatan, was approved by messengers for a second term as first vice president. Dan Ellis, senior pastor of Rileyville Baptist Church, was named second vice president. Daniel Palmer, lead pastor of North Roanoke Baptist Church, was approved by messengers for a second term as secretary.
Joyful times of worship throughout the event were led by praise teams and choirs from First Baptist Church Roanoke, Hillcrest Baptist Church, Northstar Church, and First Baptist Church Park Street in Charlottesville. There was also the introduction of a new statewide worship leaders’ network.
Keynote speakers at the Homecoming included Jeff Ginn, senior ambassador for U.S. and Global Relations for the International Mission Board (IMB); JJ Washington, national director of personal evangelism for the North American Mission Board (NAMB); Daniel Henderson, founder of Strategic Renewal (an organization designed to serve and strengthen the local church) and Daniel Ritchie, evangelist and author.
The 2026 SBCV Annual Homecoming will take place on Nov. 8-10 at The Heights Baptist in Chesterfield.
Keynote speakers will be Bryant Wright, president of Send Relief; Steven Wade, professor of pastoral theology at Southeastern Seminary; H.B. Charles, pastor of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla. and Quintell Hill, Black/Multi-Ethnic Network strategist for the IMB.
The 2026 Homecoming will mark the 30th anniversary of the SBCV.
