The 2024 annual meeting of the Baptist General Association of Virginia closed with a time of remembrance, worship and challenge, as BGAV Executive Director Wayne Faison spoke on the meeting’s theme of “Free Indeed.”

Musicians and a mass choir opened the Nov. 13 morning service, which featured a memorial ceremony recognizing Virginia Baptist pastors, missionaries, staff members and spouses who died in the past year.

‘Free Indeed’

In his sermon, Faison highlighted the use of the word “so” in theme verse John 8:36.

“English grammar scholars indicate we use the word ‘so’ as a conjunction to introduce clauses of results and decisions made,” Faison explained, adding that there is power nestled in the two-letter word.

He referenced a number of other verses throughout the Bible that similarly use “so”:

Isaiah 14:24

Joshua 11:15

John 3:16

In each instance, Faison said, the word “so” indicates something definitive.

“Everything that appears before the ‘so’ might be subject to interpretation,” he said, “but everything that appears after the ‘so,’ a person can bet their life on it. … So, if the Son sets you free, you will be … free indeed.”

Faison highlighted another important word in the verse: “indeed.”

The word, he said, “connotes the idea of emphasis, like an exclamation point at the end of a sentence — indeed!”

“Galatians 5:1 reminds us that it is for freedom — exclamation point — that Christ has set us free. … John 8:32 reminds us that we will know the truth and the truth will set us free — exclamation point. … First Peter 2:16 reminds us to live as free people — exclamation point.”

Staying free

But indeed can also be read as two words, which “connotes the idea of action, like putting your money where your mouth is,” Faison said.

Referencing Colossians 3:17, Faison reminded those gathered that believers are to do everything in the name of Christ.

“When it comes to Jesus, there’s no ‘ifs, ands or buts’ about it,” he said. “Because we are free. Free to worship, free to pay, free to sing, free to shout, free to say ‘Hallelujah,’ free to say ‘Praise the Lord.’”

“We are free from sin, free from pain, free from suffering, free from racism, free from classes, free from sexism, free from politics, free from principalities and free from powers.”

“So, Virginia Baptists, might the Holy Spirit encourage us today, as we forge ahead into the future, that if Christ set us free, then let’s stay free. … As 2 Timothy 2:4 tells us, to not get entangled in the affairs of this life … because John 8:36 tells us the Son sets us free, so we are.”

“So let’s stay free in church. Let’s stay free in community. And most of all, let’s stay free in Christ.”

Concluding moments

Outgoing BGAV President Becky McKinney signed the Bible, a traditional end to the annual meeting. Incoming BGAV President Shelton Miles led the closing prayer.

The 2025 BGAV annual meeting will be held Nov. 10–12 at Highlands Fellowship Church in Abingdon. The theme will be “Mission Forward,” based on Philippians 3:14.

Missio Alliance will host the next Awakenings Gathering March 6–8 at Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church. The conference will be centered on the theme of “Wholeness and Beauty in the Life of the Church” and will feature theologian Willie James Jennings as one of the speakers. More information is available at awakeningsgathering.com.

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