Not Alone

The Living Christmas Tree has been a holiday favorite for many in central Virginia for 50 years! Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg celebrates the anniversary for this attraction, now called the Virginia Christmas Spectacular. The service typically includes an impressive display of lights, music, singing, and story that directs hearts to the birth of our Savior.

Jonathan Falwell, pastor of Thomas Road, shares with SBCV's Ishmael LaBiosa how God works through this ministry each year. Pastor Falwell also shares his favorite Christmas memories growing up and how traditions look now as a father and grandfather.

Not Alone Podcast #40

It’s been said that there is a “call” to ministry and a "wall" in ministry. Somewhere in between those two, you may find yourself wondering if you’re effectively doing the work of the ministry.

Today’s podcast will address this topic in a very real and transparent way. Here’s a sample, “…don’t allow discouragement, frustrations, criticisms and the like be added to your disobedience…” Wow, how good is that?! Grab your Bibles and listen in as SBCV's Milton Harding talks through this with Jon Morton, pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church in North Chesterfield, Virginia.

Not Alone Podcast #39

Churches often think of international missions as something across the ocean in another continent. But did you know that people from just about every nation in the world is represented here in Virginia? That makes sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with the nations much easier.

Matt Gregory and Allen James talk about the excitement and challenges of gospel partnership and how your church can make an international difference from right here. Matt serves as SBCV's people group strategist to help plant churches and form fellowships among the international people groups. Allen serves as pastor of community and missions at Cave Spring Baptist Church in Roanoke with decades of experience as an international missionary.

Not Alone Podcast Episode #38

We certainly live in a world where fear can be triggered from so many different sources. As Christ followers, we know that the Bible encourages us to not worry and be anxious for nothing.

SBCV's Donna Paulk caught up with Scarlet Hiltibidal to talk through how we can biblically handle anxiety. Scarlet is the author of Anxious: Fighting Anxiety with the Word of God. She is also a speaker and shares great insight of how to conquer fear.

Not Alone Podcast Episode #37

Life is busy. We often get distracted from the demands of family and work that we forget about the men and women who sacrifice much in mission work around the world. And because of SBCV national partnerships, together we are making an impact for God's Kingdom.

Otis is one of those ministry workers who works overseas through the International Mission Board. He works with the North African and Middle Eastern people groups in Europe. SBCV's Brad Russell caught up with Otis to talk about needs that can be met through church support and what it looks like for the next generation to get involved in mission work.

Not Alone Podcast Episode #36

Approximately 100,000 people work and live in a one mile radius of the US capitol. And God called Pastor Zack Randles to plant Waterfront Church to share the Good News of Jesus Christ right in the heart of this incredible mission field.

SBCV's Brandon Pickett sat down with Pastor Zack to talk about how God gave the vision to move his family from Texas to a city they had never even visited. What started in 2014 has grown into a diverse ministry discipling hundreds of people weekly. Listen to this church planting story that started with God’s calling and continues with God’s growth.

Not Alone Podcast Episode #35

The SBC of Virginia has been partnering with the North American Mission Board to plant churches in the Washington, DC and northern Virginia area for some time. But now, there is an expanded partnership to plant churches throughout the entire Commonwealth called, Send Network Virginia. This will bring additional support and resources with the goal to plant many more churches. There is also now a leadership development system called Multiplication Pipeline to help local churches make disciples and raise up new leaders for the harvest field!

John Sharp and Josh Turner with the SBC of Virginia talk about what God is doing through this partnership with George Ross who serves with Send Network of the North American Mission Board.

Not Alone Episode #34

Bi-vocational ministry can present so many challenges for pastors. For Pastor Rob Haynes, he found a way for his ministry at First Baptist Church of Jonesville to come before his job as a chiropractor. But how do other churches successfully balance the demands of family, ministry, and work?

Travis Ingle is the SBCV southwest region catalyst as well as senior pastor at North Bristol Baptist Church. Travis caught up with Pastor Haynes to talk through how bi-vocational ministry can be done well with the right plan in place.

Not Alone Podcast Episode #33

It can happen to every church. The busyness of ministry can have us all focus on inward needs. But there are so many ways to meet practical needs with those in our community that ultimately provides opportunities to lead our neighbors to Jesus Christ.

Darrell Webb, regional catalyst for the SBCV, talks with Brian Collison, lead pastor of Pillar Church of Woodlawn in Alexandria, VA, about how God is using a very creative outreach through Pillar Church to impact people in their community. The outreach through their Food Truck Fridays has been a huge hit during the summer months. Listen to how God is using this creative community outreach to not only connect the church to the community but also to draw the community to Christ.

Not Alone Podcast Episode #32

Teaching youth how to serve others as Jesus set the example can be a daunting task in today's culture. Combine that challenge with traveling overseas and that might have ministry leaders quickly losing their patience.

SBCV Student Ministry Strategist Mike Camire digs into how we can successfully train young people to lead others to Christ. George Siler joins the conversation to provide solutions that prepare teenagers for overseas mission trips. George is the college and young professionals small group leader at Parkway Baptist Church in Moseley, Virginia and involved in Go Impact through the International Missions Board.

Not Alone Podcast Episode #31