Va. Baptists cut budget as churches give to relief

WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Virginia Baptists approved a reduced budget for 2006 during a peaceful annual meeting Nov. 10–11, which focused on worship and a new missions partnership.

About 850 messengers registered for the Baptist General Association of Virginia’s (BGAV) 182nd annual meeting, held at a Christian conference center in suburban northern Virginia, just outside Washington. The $14.4 million budget for 2006 is $300,000 lower than the current budget, which BGAV Treasurer Eddie Stratton said may fall short by as much as $500,000. Budget committee chair Darrell Foster attributed the shortfall and reduced budget to Virginia Baptists’ generous contributions to relief for victims of the South Asia tsunami and Gulf Coast hurricanes.