On October 1, we began our 34th year of ministry together. As we look toward our 35th anniversary, I find myself reflecting on all that God has done among us.
Thirty-four years of mission, ministry, advocacy, theological education, partnership, and service across Virginia. Churches have changed. Communities have changed. Ministers have come and gone. Ministries have begun and ended. There have been moments when we knew exactly where God was leading—and moments when we had no idea.
But through it all, one thing has remained true:
God has been faithful.
I keep coming back to the story in John 6. Jesus and the disciples are surrounded by thousands of hungry people. The disciples look at what they have and do the math.
There isn’t enough.
Five loaves. Two fish. Thousands of people.
But Jesus saw something they didn’t.
Possibility.
I wonder if that’s a picture of the church today.We see declining attendance, tight budgets, aging buildings, volunteer fatigue, and changing communities. And sometimes we think, “There just isn’t enough.”
But what if we changed the lens?
What if, instead of beginning with what we don’t have, we began with what God has already placed in our hands?
Because when I travel around Virginia, I see something very different from scarcity.
I see churches loving people.
I see hungry people being fed.
I see strangers being welcomed.
I see lonely people finding community.
I see children learning they are created in God’s image.
I see young people discovering their gifts.
I see people giving their time, resources, and lives because they believe the gospel still matters.
I see God at work.
Maybe the question isn’t, “What does our church need to become?”
Maybe the question is:
“Where is God already bringing heaven to earth through us?”
This is why cooperation matters.
One church may not be able to do everything. But together, we have more capacity than we realize. Cooperation isn’t about making every church look the same. It’s about helping congregations recognize the unique ways God has already equipped them to be the presence of Christ in their communities—and helping them connect with one another.
So as we move toward 35 years, here’s what I hope you hear:
We see God working through you.
Every time your church offers love, hope, peace, or joy—heaven comes a little closer.
Every time you feed someone who is hungry—heaven comes a little closer.
Every time you welcome someone who thought they didn’t belong—heaven comes a little closer.
Every time you remind someone they are not alone—heaven comes a little closer.
Maybe bringing heaven to earth isn’t always dramatic. Maybe it looks like ordinary people faithfully offering what they have to a faithful God.
So let’s change the lens.
Let’s look for what God is already doing.
Let’s tell those stories.
Let’s celebrate them.
Let’s connect them.
Let’s multiply them.
Because when ordinary people place what they have into the hands of a faithful God, there is always the possibility of more than we could imagine.
35 years of ministry together.
Heaven on Earth.
We want to hear your stories. Tell us how your congregation is bringing heaven to earth. Let’s change the lens.
If you have a story to share, send them to office@cbfva.org