AXIS Ministry Resource Network

As a church leader are you longing to connect with colleagues who share your passion for ministry, your unique concerns, and common problems?

If so, we invite you to join one of the AXIS Affinity Groups where you can share ideas, ask questions, learn about resources, and help to solve each other’s problems. Learn more at https://axistraining.org/what-we-offer/resource-networks/

As a church leader are you longing to connect with colleagues who share your passion for ministry, your unique concerns, and common problems?

If so, we invite you to join one of the AXIS Affinity Groups where you can share ideas, ask questions, learn about resources, and help to solve each other’s problems.

Learn more at https://axistraining.org/what-we-offer/resource-networks/

An active member (for at least one year) of a cooperating BGAV church is eligible to apply for a Nontraditional Ministry Education Scholarship, which is perfect when paired with AXIS Ministry Resource Network!

Applications are due noon this Friday, April 1! Learn more at https://www.bgav.org/blog/scholarships-and-ministerial-education-funds

Want to know what sets AXIS apart from other resources? Our incredible partnerships with organizations like Truett Seminary and Baylor University.

Learn more here! https://axistraining.org/educational-partners/

Here at AXIS, we stand with the people of Ukraine and are praying actively along with all of our BGAV participating churches for peace in the region!

Brenda Armistead started taking courses in fall 2017. She had directed Vacation Bible School at her church and was helping lead youth there, so she wanted more training. By fall 2018, she had completed her Youth Ministry certificate. She found the coursework enjoyable and helpful, so in2020 she enrolled in more. By that summer, she also completed both the Children’s Ministry and Family Ministry certificates. Later that year, Brenda accepted the call to serve on staff at another church—she now serves in a paid position as the part-time youth leader at Newington Baptist Church in Gloucester, VA.

“My experience has been rewarding,” she explained. “Since I started this new position last year, I have led two people to Christ. I think I’ve grown to be a stronger person and also stronger in my faith.”

Brenda found the class resources particularly helpful. “The books we read are a great resource for me to look back on,” she commented. “Taking these courses has helped me so much in planning events, doing lesson plans and budgets, and knowing how to look for good volunteers.” She added, “I would encourage anyone to take these courses—not just for the certification, but for the relationships you build with your instructors and classmates. I hope to take even more courses in the future to further my education.”

Find out more about AXIS at www.axistraining.org

Rachel Wolfe had been working as a youth leader at her church, Rhoadesville Baptist Church, and she wanted to get more training and to connect with other youth leaders. “I chose to complete the youth ministry certification so that I could have some formal training in what I was already doing,” she explained. “The coursework helped give me focus on what my lessons and activities should include, and they helped me add meaning to what I was doing with the youth.” Rachel now serves on staff as one of the youth leaders at Alum Spring Baptist Church in Culpeper, VA.

Learn more about AXIS at www.axistraining.org!

“What excites me is the opportunity that I’ve been given to serve; I love those people, and I love my God, and whatever I can do to further his kingdom—that’s what I want to do.”—Troy Dickens

Troy Dickens, AXIS participant
As a young teenager, Troy Dickens felt a sense of calling to some type of ministry. He’d been in church since childhood, and he’d professed his faith in Christ several years earlier. As he grew older, though, he encountered other opportunities for education and jobs that led him down a different path. As his life and career unfolded, he remained steadfast in his faith and lived it out as a dedicated layperson and leader in his church—not actively pursuing a call to vocational ministry for many years. “Those doors just didn’t open,” Troy recalled.

In 2020, however, a door opened for Troy.

“As a deacon and feeling a call to ministry, I knew I needed more training and education but was not ready at this point in my life to enter a four-year college,” he explained. “I’d reached a point where I was at kind of a crossroads, when I really needed to figure out how I could learn more, how could I study, and how I could be more beneficial to my church. I was praying about it, and literally the next morning my pastor sent me an email about the programs AXIS offers. It was a gift from God.”

In March 2022, Troy will complete the Pastoral Leadership Certificate through the AXIS Ministry Academy and Training Network, which is designed to meet the needs of today’s church leaders. “The coursework has given me valuable, practical knowledge that I’ve been able to use on a daily basis—in ministry and in my Christian walk,” he said.

Learn more about AXIS at www.axistraining.org

The next step in your ministry journey begins today at 3pm EST!

Join the AXIS team today on an introductory Zoom call to learn more about what our ministry training can do for you.

No commitments required!

Sign up here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIoc-muqDMjHdUn5mvMQexrxsP5W3g2fjzb

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: AXIS Ministry Academy Information. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Courses are starting SOON for AXIS Ministry Resource Network!

We have ministry certificates available for so many great areas, including:

- Kid’s Ministry
- Youth Ministry
- Pastoral Leadership
- Family Ministry

These certificates are taught by experts in the field and are extremely affordable!

We’d love the chance to talk to you more about this at one of our information sessions! Just click the link next to the date you’d be interested in and sign up!

January 23rd at 3pm EST - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIoc-muqDMjHdUn5mvMQexrxsP5W3g2fjzb

January 31st at 7pm EST - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvcu2sqz4rH9KmFzeSTh6nnWNqj4F26GZI

February 10th at 10am EST - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0lfumurT8pGdB80gSny0ak7Cu0heDUTk_7

Feel free to comment with any questions that you may have!

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: AXIS Ministry Academy Information. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: AXIS Ministry Academy Information. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Every AXIS certificate teaches on 4 main CORES of Ministry. Let's talk about those this week!

CORE NARRATIVE: Story of God: The Bible tells the story of God’s redemptive activity in human history as a continuous story from Genesis to Revelation.

Every AXIS certificate teaches on 4 main CORES of Ministry. Let's talk about those this week!

CORE MANDATE: Equipping and Empowering Disciples: Discipleship is a lifelong process rather than a church program. This course will focus on how we equip disciples and empower them for ministry in today’s world.

Every AXIS certificate teaches on 4 main CORES of Ministry. Let's talk about those this week!

CORE FUNCTION: Nurturing a Spirit of Creativity: This course will focus on the spiritual concept of creativity, explore easy to implement strategies for nurturing creativity, and demonstrate the link between creativity and the innovation needed for churches to minister in a rapidly changing world.

Every AXIS certificate teaches on 4 main CORES of Ministry. Let's talk about those this week!

CORE FUNCTION: Being in Relationship: The life of a Christian is not a solo journey – it includes relationships and working in groups with fellow Christians. This course will focus on the essential skills of emotional intelligence including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and establishing and maintaining positive relationships.

Training in this next season is essential for any person interested in ministry, whether you're a lay-leader or lead pastor.

If you're interested in giving the gift of ministry development, be sure to go to our website to purchase a Gift Certificate at https://axistraining.org/gift-certificate/

Flourishing in Ministry starts with Preparation!

The AXIS Ministry Academy offers pastors, ministers, and lay leaders access to single courses in a specific ministry area, or a program that results in a Ministry Certificate. The Ministry Academy provides interactive, online courses to give participants the benefit of logging in from their locations as well as interacting with the instructor and fellow participants.

Don't let financial trouble hold you back from flourishing in your ministry context!

You can apply for financial aid through our website at https://axistraining.org/scholarship-info/

Interested in giving the gift of ministry training to someone that you love this season?

Head over to https://axistraining.org/gift-certificate/ to give the gift of ministry training!

As a church leader, are you longing to connect with colleagues who share your passion for ministry, your unique concerns, your common problems? If so, we invite you to join one of the AXIS Affinity Groups where you can share ideas, ask questions, learn about resources, and help to solve each other’s problems.

Learn more by visiting our website at https://axistraining.org/certificates/

Axis Ministry Academy & Training Network

Ministry during a pandemic? Engaging children and families? Maintaining volunteers? Staying connected during times of isolation? Do you strive to do your best in the ministries God has called you to—but desire to be better equipped?

The Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) announced today the launch of AXIS, a ministry academy and training network designed to meet the needs of today’s church leaders, whoever and wherever they are.

AXIS provides high quality, accessible, and affordable practical ministry education for church leaders. Whether you’re a church staff member seeking continuing education or a lay leader being trained for the first time, AXIS has a path for you. You can choose to take individual courses in any area or pursue a Certificate in one of four ministry focus areas:

Children’s Ministry
Youth Ministry
Family Ministry
Pastoral Leadership

Each Certificate requires a total of ten courses including four core, four required, and two electives. Core courses provide a broad foundation in areas critical to an understanding and development of ministerial skills and topics.

AXIS was developed in partnership with Baylor University’s Truett Seminary. Students who participate and wish to further their studies can connect their AXIS courses through dual enrollment toward an Advanced Certificate at Truett. Baylor University will also provide CEU’s for AXIS courses to students who request them.

Designed to meet the needs of church leaders wherever they are, AXIS courses provide opportunities for virtual instruction that is both personal and flexible. AXIS participants are more than just students; they belong to a fellowship of church leaders, growing together and transforming the world.

To register or learn more about how you can become part of the AXIS Network to build and develop your ministry skills, visit https://axistraining.org.

Axis Ministry Academy & Training Network Get the Training You Need for Church Leadership Ministry during a pandemic? Engaging children and families? Maintaining volunteers? Staying connected during times of isolation? Do you strive to do your best in the ministries God has called you to—but desire to be better equipped? The Baptist Gener...

2021 AXIS Network Course Registration

Ready to sign up for courses? We're ready to have you!

Just go to https://vbmb.wufoo.com/forms/2021-axis-network-course-registration/ to sign up!

2021 AXIS Network Course Registration Payment is due one week prior to the course date. Once you register you will receive an email with an invoice and instructions for payment. For more information contact Karen Rackett at [email protected].

Want to receive professional Continuing Education Units?

We and our partners at Baylor University have you covered!

Just contact us at [email protected] to find out more about how to get CEUs from Baylor for a small additional fee!

Online Certificate Program

Here's something incredible about our courses: you can get an Advanced Certificate offered by Truett Seminary through Dual Enrollment Option: CCFOO - Orientation and Formation!

This course is taught through the Truett Seminary Online Certificate Program and serves as a dual enrollment course between BGAV and Truett Seminary. Participants who elect to take this course will receive credit through AXIS and credit towards an Advanced Certificate through Truett.

This first course in the Truett Seminary Certificate Program is 8 weeks in duration and covers the subject of Spiritual Formation—the basic process by which Christians are formed spiritually. The course includes practices and understandings that can help Christians grow closer to God and live out their faith more vibrantly. In addition, the course teaches skills to help promote success in the Truett Certificate Program.

For advanced participants, an optional set of assignments focused on a biblical study of the "Kingdom of God” in Matthew and Luke is available. For more information about the Advanced Certificate Program, visit the Truett Seminary Online Certificate website at https://www.baylor.edu/truett/index.php?id=952491

Online Certificate Program The Online Certificate Program offered through Baylor’s Truett Seminary is designed for church members and leaders who desire more depth in their Christian life or ministry.

BGAV

Did you know that financial aid is available for all of our classes if you are part of a cooperating BGAV Church?

You can apply for a Nontraditional Ministry Education Scholarship.

The deadline to aply for the October Semester is September 1st!

You can apply easily at bgav.org/scholarships

BGAV Through Cooperative Missions offerings, the BGAV provides scholarships and ministerial education funds for eligible Virginia Baptist students who need aid in financing their education. BGAV Scholarships and Ministerial Education Funds can help students earn an undergraduate degree, pursue undergradu...