CROSS LANES, W.Va. – The West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists gathered Nov. 5-6 at Cross Lanes Baptist Church for its 56th annual meeting, celebrating a shared calling to shine the light of Christ across the Mountain State and beyond.
Under the theme “A City on These Hills,” drawn from Matthew 5:14, messengers and guests focused on the convention’s mission of strengthening and sending churches to make Jesus known in and through West Virginia — from its hills and hollers to the nations.
“West Virginia Southern Baptists have been shining the light of the gospel together for 56 years,” said Danny Rumple, WVCSB executive director-treasurer. “We have inherited a strong missional legacy, and we aim to continue growing that legacy as a family on mission.”
The gathering included worship led by the Jason Lovins Band throughout the pastors’ conference and annual meeting. Phil A. Newton, director of pastoral care and mentoring for The Pillar Network, was among the speakers encouraging pastors and church leaders.
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Gospel partnership and mission
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.
“Let’s steward our resources like eternity depends on it,” Rumple urged. “We desire to be a generous convention of churches. This begins with strong kingdom stewardship that leads to a strong commitment to Cooperative Program giving.”
Messengers also celebrated surpassing the previous year’s Ola Cox State Missions Offering goal by approximately $30,000, supporting ministry and mission efforts throughout West Virginia.
Business
The annual meeting welcomed 168 messengers from 69 of West Virginia’s 200 churches, along with 66 guests, for a total registered attendance of 234. All state Baptist associations were represented.
During the business session, messengers adopted a balanced 2027 budget totaling $1,583,632, a decrease of 5.3 percent from 2026. The budget anticipates $1,224,000 in Cooperative Program giving from West Virginia churches.
Rumple also announced plans to sell the WVCSB office building in Scott Depot, W.Va., purchase a smaller office space, and invest the remaining proceeds as part of an effort to steward resources well.
Messengers voted to receive two congregations into the WVCSB: Radiant Church in St. Albans, W.Va., and Wayside Baptist Church in Franklin, W.Va. They also approved a resolution expressing gratitude to Cross Lanes Baptist Church for hosting the annual meeting.
Convention officers were elected without opposition: President Jeff Canterbury, pastor of First Baptist Church in Ceredo, W.Va.; First Vice President Matt Magness, pastor of Freedom Baptist Church in Nutter Fort, W.Va.; Second Vice President Josh Waybright, pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Mason, W.Va.; and Recording Secretary Tiana Rucker, a member of Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Scott Depot, W.Va.
Celebrating a decade of ministry
The gathering included a special recognition of Tim Turner, WVCSB evangelism and discipleship director, who will retire at the end of the year after 10 years of service to West Virginia churches.
Leaders celebrated Turner’s ministry among pastors, churches, and students, including his work through the Youth Evangelism Conference and Summit Camp. A reception followed the recognition.
“Tim has spent a decade giving his time, his resources, and himself to help pastors, churches, and students make Jesus known,” said Cleve Persinger, WVCSB communications and partnerships director. “God has used him to strengthen relationships across our convention and point a generation of students toward Christ. We’re a family on mission, and we send our best — even when it’s hard to let them go.”
Encouragement from the Word
Additional speakers over the two days included Noah Toney, this year’s pastors’ conference president and pastor of Redemption Church in Beckley, W.Va., who delivered the annual convention sermon; Ryan Navy, outgoing WVCSB president and pastor of River Valley Church in Boyd County, Ky., who gave the president’s address; Mason Ballard, pastor of Resurrection Church in Charleston, W.Va.; Canterbury; and Turner.
The Pastors’ Wives Gathering took place before the annual meeting, featuring teaching by Catherine Renfro, national director of women’s evangelism at the North American Mission Board, and worship led by Kelli Harrah of Huntington Community Church in Huntington, W.Va.
The 2027 WVCSB Annual Meeting will be held Nov. 4–5 at First Baptist Church in Princeton, W.Va.
