Virginia Baptists Committed, a diverse group of clergy and laity devoted to preserving, protecting, and promoting the witness of mainstream Baptists in Virginia, is pleased to endorse candidates for the four annually elected offices of the BGAV for the November 2022 annual meeting.![]() VBC is pleased to endorse Rev. Dr. Herbert Ponder for the office of BGAV President. Herbert is a native of Pittsburgh, PA, and is married to Rev. Lorae D. Ponder, also of Pittsburgh. They have two adult children and one grandchild. Herbert earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Accounting from the University of Pittsburgh, the M.Div. and D.Min. Degree from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University. As a lifelong learner, he is a 2016 and 2021 fellow of the Black Theology and Leadership Institute at the Princeton Theological Seminary and is currently taking courses for certification as a leadership coach. He has served as the 8th Pastor of Mount Tabor Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia since 1994 where the Lord sent him to Equip the Saints for the Work of Ministry, and has been a part of Virginia Baptist life since joining Mount Tabor Baptist Church in 1989. His participation in Virginia Baptist Life includes serving on the Virginia Baptist Executive Board, where he has served as both Secretary and Vice Chair. He was elected BGAV Clerk in 2018 and currently serves as First Vice President. Herbert will be nominated by Rev. Dr. Robert Whitehead, Senior Pastor, New Zion Baptist Church, Williamsburg, VA. ![]() VBC endorses Becky McKinney for First Vice-President of the BGAV. Becky has been a part of Virginia Baptist life for many years. She is a graduate of Radford University with a Bachelor of Social Work degree. She has worked as a child welfare worker for Henry County DSS and Director of Programs for Volunteer Emergency Families for Children (VEFC). Becky has served as a deacon, a Sunday School teacher, and a mission emphasis coordinator at Chatham Heights Baptist Church, Martinsville, Virginia. She has served on the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, chaired the BGAV Executive Board, and has been the Past Vice President and President of WMUV. She is married and has 2 sons and 5 grandchildren. Becky will be nominated by Ann Brown, messenger, First Baptist Church, Gretna, VA. ![]() VBC also endorses Rev. Dr. Mark Hughes for Second Vice-President of the BGAV. Mark is the pastor of West End Baptist Church, North Dinwiddie, VA. A Virginia native, he is a life-long Virginia Baptist raised in the Town of Orange where Baptist history runs deep. He is dedicated to the idea that mission isn’t just something we do, but a part of who we are as creations of God and followers of Jesus Christ. Mark is a graduate of James Madison University (B.S.) and The Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond (M.Div. and D.Min.). Mark has served as an associational representative to the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, as a Virginia Baptist Disaster Response volunteer, and currently is a member of the Capital Region Mission Council. Mark will be nominated by Rev. Dr. Joe Lewis, pastor of Second Baptist Church, Petersburg, VA. ![]() Finally, VBC is pleased to endorse again Rev. Dr. Nathan Taylor to serve as Clerk of the BGAV. Nathan serves as executive director of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society and the Center for Baptist Heritage and Studies. An ordained Baptist minister and Certified Archivist, he holds a D.Min. from Mercer University, a M.Div. from Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, a B.S. from Asbury University, and has completed additional graduate work in archival studies at Louisiana State University. Prior experiences include congregational ministry, institutional advancement and history education. He is a member of River Road Church, Baptist, in Richmond. Nathan will be nominated by Dr. Fred Anderson, messenger, River Road Church, Richmond, VA. These candidates are well qualified to serve and are committed to the work of the BGAV now and in the future. VBC is happy to endorse these persons for these leadership positions. VBC welcomes and encourages the nominations of other qualified candidates.
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