Pilgrim Baptist Church, Rev Dwight Steele, pastor, hosted the 149th Annual Session of the Valley Baptist Association (VBA) and the 90th Annual Session of the Women’s Auxiliary (WAVBA) July 5-10.
The two-tiered plenary session involved a host of activities and featured an extensive lineup of several of the areas most dynamic pastors who delivered strong and uplifting presentations. Choirs from many of the valley’s Baptist churches also accentuated the event.
Additionally the conference was highlighted by greetings from a host of civic officials and community leaders and included one full day of engaging workshops, classes and forums for youth as well.
“This year’s session has been a great one and many of the auxiliaries have come together to achieve, as this year’s theme suggests, “maximum impact… to unify our message,” said Rev. Dr. Charles Calloway, pastor, Maple Street Baptist Church.
As VBA moderator, Rev. Calloway spoke of the considerable growth experienced by the local auxiliary regarding a recent spike in the number of area churches joining forces to further the mission of this worthwhile organization.
He also mentioned how the auxiliaries have “returned to the original focus of the VBA’s mission,” to strengthen the church, promote community outreach and advance various fundraising projects that benefit Lott Carey, The Virginia Baptist Children’s home and others that benefit from the organization’s philanthropic efforts.
Referring to one of the local body’s many achievements, Rev. Calloway said, “The VBA has won the ‘Crown of the Queen’ from the Virginia State Baptist Convention for the last 6 years.” The distinction is awarded to the auxiliary that raises the most charitable funds that ultimately are allocated to various projects.
One of the most inspirational sermons of the conference was delivered by Rev. Sylvia Ball, pastor Sweet Union BC. Among her many accolades, Rev. Ball is the first woman elected as Regional President for the Western District Virginia State Baptist Convention.
Speaking before the congregation of women dressed in white representing the WAVBA, Rev. Ball with her theme “Keep the Main Thing, the Main Thing,” delivered an awe-inspiring talk that truly rocked the walls of Pilgrim Baptist Church.
Early in her 20-minute sermon she pointed out–after listing a “season” of troubling modern-day conditions, that the “main thing was evangelism.”
“The sound (evangelism) that comes from us, as believers to the world, should be clear and unified,” she explained in support of her theme.
Rev. Ball effectively proceeded to use scripture and biblical metaphors–referring to certain followers as special fruit bearing trees–which led to the point that people should find happiness in the supreme privilege of “being planted in God’s vineyard to produce (spread the gospel).”
Her spiritually vibrant message and effective delivery clearly ignited the soul of any lukewarm believers in the crowd.
Outgoing Women’s Auxiliary president, Alice Johnson, stepping down after 4 years, said the conference was one of the best on record and sized it up as, “an excellent display of service and allegiance to the Valley Baptist Association’s mission.”
Plans were announced to hold next year’s session at Williams Memorial Baptist Church.
