Stories of Vision Virginia

Building a Church Planting Pipeline

Sometimes God’s plan for reaching people begins in the most unexpected ways.

When Pastor William Samadder fled religious persecution in Bangladesh and arrived in Northern Virginia, he came seeking safety for his family after years of ministry among an unreached people group. What he could not have known was that God was already preparing a new mission field for him – right where he landed.

Through a connection at Pillar Church in Dumfries, William met Pastor Colby Garman, who quickly recognized both William’s heart for the Gospel and the growing Bengali population throughout Northern Virginia. Together, they began exploring how God might use William to reach Bengali-speaking families who had little connection to a local church.

With support from SBC of Virginia church-planting resources and Vision Virginia funding, William entered church-planter training and began gathering people for Bible study, fellowship, and worship. What started as a small gathering in a home is now a developing church plant with a core group of nearly 40 people and regular outreach throughout the Bengali community.

“There is no Bengali-speaking church in Virginia,” William shared. “I believe it was God’s plan for me to be here.” Today, many are studying Scripture, worshiping together, and hearing the Gospel in their heart language.

For Pastor Colby, the impact of partnership is clear. “Thank you for giving through Vision Virginia and making it possible for churches and planters like William to answer God’s call and reach people we wouldn’t be able to reach unless we partner together.”

Through the Vision Virginia State Missions Offering, SBCV churches are helping build a church-planting pipeline that reaches new communities, develops leaders, and expands the Gospel across Virginia.

Changing Lives through Pregnancy Resource Centers

Every day across Virginia, women and men facing unexpected pregnancies are searching for hope. Through the Vision Virginia State Missions Offering, SBC of Virginia churches are helping provide that hope through life-affirming pregnancy centers that offer practical care, compassionate support, and the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.

One of those ministries is First Care Women’s Health in Northern Virginia, where lives are being transformed every day. Becky Sheetz, Executive Director, shared, “Every single woman who comes in is an opportunity for a life to be saved and for that woman to hear about the Lord Jesus.” Through pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, parenting classes, counseling, and connections to community resources, women are receiving the support they need to make informed decisions for themselves and their children.

Your Vision Virginia gifts recently helped support critical infrastructure for First Care’s new Dumfries Pregnancy Medical Center, enabling staff to connect with women in crisis and provide life-giving care. “You have enabled us to open a brand-new pregnancy medical center in Dumfries,” Sheetz said. “You’ve enabled us to grow the Kingdom of God, save lives, and share the gospel.”

The impact is deeply personal. Litzy, a young mother who first visited the center while considering abortion, recalls finding encouragement, prayer, and hope. “Talking to Julia and her praying over me gave me so much hope that there was someone there no matter what,” she shared. Today, she celebrates the joy of motherhood and a future she once thought was impossible.

Nurse Joanna Tessier sees the results firsthand. “We’re all hands and feet of Christ,” she said. “We can walk with them and show them they are loved and not alone.”

When you give through Vision Virginia, you help provide care, resources, and gospel-centered ministry to women, men, and families across Virginia. Together, we are helping save lives, strengthen families, and point people to the hope found only in Christ.

Equipping Leaders for Stronger Churches

Healthy churches need healthy leaders. Through the Vision Virginia State Missions Offering, your church is investing in the next generation of pastors and ministry leaders by helping provide seminary scholarships and theological training.

For Pastor Drake King, that investment has been life-changing.

Drake’s story is one of God’s redeeming grace. After growing up in a fatherless home and battling addiction, Christ transformed his life from a prison cell and then called him into ministry. Drake quickly realized that theological education would be essential if he wanted to faithfully shepherd God’s people. “A call to pastoral ministry is a call to prepare,” Drake explains.

Today, Drake is pursuing a Master of Divinity at Liberty Theological. Through the Vision Virginia-funded scholarship assistance and the Keesee Grant, he can continue his education without placing a financial burden on his family.

“Through Vision Virginia, the scholarship completely covers my education,” Drake said. “I wouldn’t be able to afford to go to seminary without that scholarship.”

The impact reaches far beyond one student. Every class, every lesson, and every opportunity for theological growth helps equip pastors to preach sound doctrine, disciple believers, and lead healthy churches throughout the Commonwealth.

“Thank you for giving through Vision Virginia,” Drake shared. “You are helping a person like me receive great theological training so that I can faithfully lead people to know God, glorify God, and make disciples for Jesus Christ.”

When you give through Vision Virginia, you are helping prepare leaders who will strengthen churches and advance the Gospel for generations to come.