CBFVA met today at First Baptist in Ashland, VA. I didn't see any other BL folks, so I'll give a brief report. There was a good spirit among attendees, and Field Coordinator, Rob Fox, provided an upbeat report of increasing revenues and increasing attendance at Mission Madness, the Youth Retreat, Mission on the Move, and through the Hispanic ministry sponsored last year. CBFVA adopted a partnership with CBF Field Personnel in Macau and are planning a trip for 10 leadership people to Macau in 2013 to strengthen that partnership. Everyone at the General Assembly completed a personal card to share with the Chinese who are participating in the work in Macau. The keynote address was given by Dr. Rodger Nikiosha of Columbia Seminary in Atlanta--an excellent address focusing of wny and how churches grow and the factors that determine this. Very thoughtful presentation. He will also be teaching on Saturday at First Baptist in Richmond with their Sunday School leadership. Breakouts, a business session, and worship closed the afternoon.
I was pleased to be there and enjoyed getting in touch with some special people in my life. Last night, I ate with Leon and Nancy Castle. Leon was Minister of Education and Youth in my home church when I was a teenager and had a lot of influence on me.
Patrick Anderson, Interim Coordinator of CBF national, spoke also to the morning session. He shared some of his convictions that the changes in CBF in terms of personnel are setting the stage for a new empowerment for the national organization. He also addressed some of the plans and implementation of the Task Force Report adopted this year, especially as it relates to partnerships along the Atlantic seaboard. (Know Sandy won't agree, but some folks are defintely upbeat believing that departures and new faces offer a renewal opportunity for the work of CBF.) I'm grateful I could be there.