SBCV President’s Message

                                                                                                                  Vol. XI, No. 9, October 1998

[Terry Harper, senior pastor of Colonial Heights BC, Colonial Heights, has served as president of the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia for the last two crucial and formative years of our state convention.]

My Dear Friends,

It has been an exciting and thrilling time to serve as your President. My first year was extremely busy as we did not have staff except for our Executive Director. We spent many hours, along with the administrative committee selecting staff and putting things together. We had many trips to make in regard to setting up the convention. I believe that any thinking person would agree that where we are today in such a short time is nothing less than the mighty hand of God upon our young convention. Some of the SBC agency executives who have met with us have been pleasantly surprised at where we are today. We give God all the glory and praise for what has been accomplished.

One of the persons He has used to bring us to where we are is our Executive Director, Doyle Chauncey. I really believe with all my heart that the Lord began leading Doyle in his career some time ago, preparing him for what he is doing today. I have been privileged to get to know Doyle and Sharon during these two years. I love them dearly and I trust them completely. We are so blessed to have them leading us forward.

My second year as President has seen me carrying a lighter load because now we have staff to take care of so many of the details. I also appreciate each of our staff. I believe that God has led us to each of the persons we have employed. They are gifted and committed to serving Christ and our convention.

I now look forward with great anticipation to our state convention at the end of this month. Along with the great preachers we have scheduled I am once again bringing our choir and orchestra from Colonial Heights Baptist Church. Our Minister of Music, Scott Perkins, has prepared a feast of Gospel Music to thrill your soul and bless your heart.

Please come on Monday at 1:00 p.m. for the Baptist Bible Conference and stay through Tuesday for the Annual Meeting of the SBCV. It will be an exciting meeting with electing officers, adopting the budget and hearing first hand what God has been doing across our State. I look forward to seeing you October 26 and 27 at Spotswood Baptist Church in Fredericksburg.

Again, thank you for allowing me to serve the convention during these crucial early days. I am forever grateful for having had the opportunity.

Sincerely,

Terry L. Harper

President, SBCV