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.”
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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% 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.
