Messengers to the Baptist General Association of Virginia’s annual meeting at First Baptist Church Alexandria approved its budget for 2025, elected officers and approved several other items for the upcoming year during the Nov. 13 morning business session.

With BGAV President Becky McKinney presiding, messengers adopted the 2025 Cooperative Missions/BGAV budget of nearly $7.2 million. BGAV treasurer David Washburn said the $7,193,750 budget is an increase of 1.86% from the 2024 budget of $7,061,860.

New officers

Shelton Miles, who served as first vice president during the current year, was elected president for the upcoming year (nominated by James Bunce). Shelton is a member and former pastor of Kedron Baptist Church in Gladys, Virginia.

Chief Stephen R. Adkins Sr., of the Chickahominy Indian Tribe, was elected first vice president (nominated by Herbert Ponder). Stephen is a member of Samaria Baptist Church in Providence Forge, Virginia.

Eli Withers, associate pastor of Harrisonburg Baptist Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia, was elected second vice president (nominated by Shirley Cobb).

Tim Madison, pastor of Emmaus Baptist Church in Providence Forge, Virginia, was elected clerk (nominated by Darrell Foster).

Other business

Messengers also elected members to serve on the BGAV executive board and chose Allen Jessee, pastor of regional and global networks at Highlands Fellowship in Abingdon,Virginia, to serve as executive board chair for 2025.

In addition, members of the Missions Council were elected, and messengers adopted a resolution on appreciation to FBC Alexandria for hosting the meeting and to the BGAV staff and officers for their ongoing leadership and their work in preparing for the annual meeting.

BGAV Executive Director Wayne Faison recognized the outgoing officers and led a prayer for the incoming and outgoing officers. During the session, standing committee chairs, retiring Mission Council members and retiring executive board members were recognized.

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EDITOR’S NOTE — This report was compiled by The Baptist Paper, with reporting from Baptist General Association of Virginia.