West Virginia Southern Baptists celebrate unity and a growing ‘family on mission’
By Cleve Persinger/WVCSB
ELKINS, W.Va. – The West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists gathered Nov. 6-7 for its 55th annual meeting, celebrating unity and renewed mission focus alongside the introduction of a new executive director-treasurer, Danny Rumple.
With the theme “Family on Mission,” messengers and guests stepped into the next chapter of cooperative ministry across the Mountain State, building on a long-standing history of mission. “We truly are a family on mission,” Rumple said. “Our West Virginia churches have a strong missionary legacy, and we want to continue that legacy by strengthening and sending churches to make Jesus known in and through West Virginia.”
The meeting took place on the campus of Davis & Elkins College in Elkins and included worship led by Chosen Road throughout the pastors’ conference and annual meeting. SBC President Clint Pressley brought messages in both gatherings, encouraging West Virginia Southern Baptists to remain steadfast in Gospel partnership.
“A church that is unified on its mission is a formidable force,” Pressley said. “Our unity must be strong around the essential truths of the Bible.”
Increased unity, strong cooperation, and a clear missional direction
West Virginia Southern Baptists maintained their Cooperative Program giving ratio at 43.5 percent to national and international missions. Approximately 80 percent of WVCSB churches gave through the Cooperative Program in the past year.
Rumple laid out a forward-looking ministry strategy centered on evangelism, church strengthening and intentional mission engagement.
“We want to see West Virginia conquered for Christ,” he said. “Let’s reach 1 percent of our state with the gospel – 18,000 people over the next 10 years. Let’s plant or affiliate 50 new churches. Let’s train and work like missionaries. Let’s increase our partnerships. And let’s steward our resources like eternity depends on it.”
Messengers also celebrated surpassing their Ola Cox State Missions Offering goal again last year – by nearly $20,000 – as well as the growing unity across the state convention’s network of churches.
Business
Annual meeting attendees included 69 guests and 162 messengers from 66 of West Virginia’s 208 churches, with all state Baptist associations represented. During the business session, messengers adopted the 2026 budget totaling $1,671,390 – an increase of 0.4 percent over 2025 – and reviewed projections that included $1,416,048 anticipated from West Virginia churches through the Cooperative Program.
Messengers also voted to receive two new congregations into the WVCSB: Alban Community Church in St. Albans, W.Va., and One Accord Baptist Church in Hurricane, W.Va. A resolution expressing gratitude to Davis & Elkins College for hosting the annual meeting was approved as well.
All current state officers were re-elected without opposition: President Ryan Navy, pastor of River Valley Church in Boyd County, Ky.; First Vice President Jeff Canterbury, pastor of First Baptist Church in Ceredo, W.Va.; Second Vice President Matt Magness, pastor of Freedom Baptist Church in Nutter Fort, W.Va.; and Recording Secretary Tiana Rucker, a member of Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Scott Depot, W.Va.
Focus on Elkins: Advancing church planting and local mission
On Thursday morning, the WVCSB hosted a special church planting brunch for pastors and leaders interested in beginning a new work in Elkins. The sold-out gathering welcomed 40 attendees and highlighted demographic trends and opportunities for Gospel impact. The morning concluded with a meaningful time of guided prayer overlooking the city, asking God to open doors, stir hearts and advance His mission in Elkins.
“Elkins is more than a beautiful place – it’s a strategic gateway to the Potomac Highlands,” said Cleve Persinger, WVCSB communication and partnerships director. “With no SBC work within 25 miles and after praying for this area for a decade, we’re asking God to raise up planters, partners and anyone willing to go and bring the hope of Jesus to a place ready for Gospel movement.”
Additional speakers over the two days included former WVCSB Executive Director Jere Phillips (1995-2001); Jim Drake, pastor of Parkview Baptist in Bluefield, Va.; Darrin Cherry, pastor of Grassroots Church in Lewisburg, who delivered the annual convention sermon; and Ryan Navy, WVCSB president and pastor of River Valley Church in Boyd County, Ky., who gave the president’s address.
The Pastors’ Wives Gathering took place prior to the annual meeting, featuring teaching by Tara Dew and worship led by Russ and Kristi Johnson.
The 2026 WVCSB Annual Meeting will be held Nov. 5-6, 2026, at Cross Lanes Baptist Church in Cross Lanes, W.Va.
Iowa Baptists focused on Gospel advance
By BCI Staff
DES MOINES, Iowa – Attendees to the Baptist Convention of Iowa’s annual meeting were encouraged by fellowship and the opportunity to connect with other church leaders from across the state.
“Once again I was so encouraged by getting some time with BCI church pastors and other leaders,” said BCI Executive Director Tim Lubinus. “It was a joy to watch attendees connect with each other for a time of fellowship and mutual encouragement.”
The meeting, held Nov. 7-8 at Walnut Creek Church in Des Moines, welcomed Jeff Iorg, president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee, as the keynote speaker. Iorg led a training workshop on “Leading Through Major Change” and preached during the annual meeting session on embracing God’s mission, the Great Commission, as the central calling for every church leader.
“Dr. Jeff Iorg both equipped us for leading change and encouraged us out of the Word through preaching the convention sermon this year,” Lubinus said. “He reminded us that even through change, our mission remains the same, to make disciples and advance the Gospel together.”
Business
The weekend events were well attended with 85 Messengers and 88 guests and ministry partners present. Messengers approved a 2026 budget of $1.1 million, representing no change from 2025. Cooperative Program giving forwarded to the SBC Executive Committee will remain at 60 percent, continuing Iowa Baptists’ strong commitment to national and international church planting and missions.
The Executive Board also announced the creation of a new BCI Advancement Fund, designed to strategically deploy reserve funds toward church planting partnerships, leadership development, tuition scholarships, and strategic property acquisition in key Iowa cities.
“Our 2026 budget represents both faith and focus,” Lubinus said. “The new BCI Advancement Fund will allow us to better utilize resources for multiplying churches and developing leaders across the state.”
During the business session, messengers elected officers for the coming year:
- President: Eric Trout, Restoration Church, Adel
- First Vice-President: Grady Adkins, Coram Deo Bible Church, Davenport
- Second Vice-President: Todd Stiles, First Family Church, Ankeny
- Secretary: Jerome Risting, Temple Baptist Church, Mason City
Regional representatives were also affirmed to serve on the Executive Committee:
- Northwest: Terry McCarl, Harvest Bible Chapel North Iowa, Clear Lake
- Northeast: Shawn Alldredge, First Grace Baptist Church, Sheffield
- Southeast: Cory Gonyo, First Baptist Church, Bettendorf
- Southwest: Noel Gandy, Christ Point Church, Shenandoah
- Central: Steve Christiansen, Life Change Church, Des Moines
Reflecting on the gathering, Cory Gonyo,pastor at First Baptist Church in Bettendorf, said, “I enjoyed getting together again with fellow BCI pastors and hearing what the Lord is doing in our churches. Every year we come together, I’m humbled by the service of others and reinvigorated by the way we work together to take the Gospel to the nations. The Lord Jesus is so faithful!”
Eric Schumacher, BCI Pastoral Ministry Director, added, “Several aspects of the 2025 Ministry Conference and Annual Meeting encouraged me. The breakouts were well-attended, and I heard great feedback about the usefulness of the content. I rejoiced to see Kari Minter connecting with so many pastors’ wives in her new role, and I was inspired by the forward-looking, missional vision of the BCI and SEND Network Iowa.”
Lubinus concluded, “We had another great year at the BCI Annual Meeting and I’m looking forward to gathering together again at the 2026 Annual Meeting with our speaker, Trevin Wax, vice-president of research and resource development at NAMB.”
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