WOODBRIDGE, Va. — After more than three years without a statewide gathering, the Virginia Baptist Bible Fellowship met on September 15, 2026, for encouragement, fellowship, and renewed commitment to evangelism, discipleship, church revitalization, and church planting.
Hosted by Pastor Josh Clifton and Inspire Church in Woodbridge, Virginia, the meeting brought together 19 pastors representing a wide range of ministry experience. With the youngest pastor approximately 30 years old and the oldest 80, the gathering reflected both the rich history of the Fellowship and its potential for the future.
Virginia BBF State Representative Tim Wilcox admitted he was uncertain what to expect.
The last statewide gathering had been in February 2023, when the BBFI Central Office hosted a Healthy Church Conference. Busy ministry schedules and several last-minute cancellations added to the uncertainty about attendance.
Despite those challenges, the turnout exceeded expectations, and the spirit of encouragement was evident throughout the day. One pastor initially canceled the night before the meeting because of several pressing ministry challenges. Wilcox encouraged him to reconsider, suggesting that with everything he was facing, he might need the fellowship more than ever. The pastor attended and, although his circumstances had not changed by the end of the meeting, he left encouraged.
The gathering began with a testimony from Pastor David Barton, the first pastor to receive support from the Virginia Fellowship. Barton reflected on the impact the Fellowship had made on his life and ministry since the early 1970s, reminding those present of the lasting value of churches working together.
The meeting also highlighted current and future ministry opportunities across Virginia. Clifton shared about the revitalization work taking place at Inspire Church, while Pastor Ron Owens spoke about his plans to plant a new church in 2027.
Pastor Ron Taylor, who also serves as State Representative of the New York Baptist Bible Fellowship, challenged the pastors to consider what God could accomplish through a renewed commitment to church planting. He encouraged the Fellowship to work toward planting a new church within the next four years through intentional evangelism, discipleship, leadership development, and prayer.
Taylor emphasized the importance of churches taking an active role in reaching new communities with the Gospel, reminding the pastors, “It takes men and money to make something happen.”
The challenge also connected church planting with the broader mission of the BBFI. As new churches are established and strengthened, additional opportunities are created to support missionaries and expand the reach of the Gospel around the world. The pastors spent time praying specifically for God to raise up laborers for the harvest.
For Clifton, who is relatively new to pastoral ministry in Virginia, hosting the gathering was particularly meaningful. “In today’s fast-paced ministry life, it was refreshing to pause, build relationships, and be reminded that we are not serving alone,” Clifton shared. “I left encouraged about the future and the incredible opportunity we have as pastors to invest in people and see how God can use us to plant new churches throughout Virginia.”
Following the meeting, Inspire Church provided a meal, giving the pastors additional time to connect and encourage one another. The conversations and relationships formed during the day were as valuable as the scheduled sessions.
Pastor Calvin Corbitt expressed appreciation for the opportunity to reconnect with fellow pastors. “It was well worth the drive, and the fellowship was sweet!” Corbitt shared. “Good to know we’re not alone in our desire to start churches, share the Gospel, and make disciples!”
Wilcox noted that several pastors reached out afterward to express their appreciation for the gathering. One pastor who had struggled to connect with other ministers in his area shared the following day that he was making plans to meet another local pastor for coffee.
For Wilcox, these personal connections reinforced the importance of maintaining an active state fellowship. “Ministry is challenging, so it was great seeing people leaving encouraged,” Wilcox said.
The Virginia Fellowship is already looking ahead to its next gathering, scheduled for November 19 at Choice Baptist Church. During that meeting, pastors plan to fill vacant leadership positions and vote on providing financial support for a new church plant using available state fellowship funds.
The September gathering represented more than the resumption of statewide meetings. It was an opportunity to reconnect generations of pastors, celebrate the state fellowship’s history, and establish a renewed vision for reaching Virginia with the Gospel.With relationships strengthened, a vision for church planting established, and plans already underway for the next gathering, the Virginia Baptist Bible Fellowship is moving forward with renewed purpose and a shared commitment to advancing the Great Commission.
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