Texas Baptists form chaplaincy partnership with Virginia Baptists

DALLAS – At the Texas Baptists executive board on Feb. 22, a recommendation was approved to begin a partnership for chaplain endorsement on behalf of the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV). Todd Combee, a retired military chaplain from Virginia, was present at the meeting to affirm the partnership.

“Virginia Baptists are very excited about this partnership allowing us to minister to chaplains in our area, as well as BGAV chaplains who will be a part of this process,” said Combee, pastor of New Bethesda Baptist Church in Mechanicsville, VA.

During the Texas Baptists Chaplain Endorsement Council meeting on Feb. 21, Combee was the first BGAV chaplain endorsed through the new partnership. Combee will also serve on the Chaplain Endorsement Council and will work as an associate endorser for Virginia Baptists.  

Representatives from Texas Baptists and the BGAV will meet in March to finalize the arrangement, which will include endorsement of Virginia Baptist chaplains and access to chaplain training.

“This partnership furthers our mission to help people recognize chaplaincy ministry as a valid vocational calling to be a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a professional chaplain,” said Bobby Smith, director of Texas Baptists Chaplaincy Relations.

Texas Baptists endorse in nine distinct categories: Health care, military, correctional, pastoral counseling, marketplace, crisis resiliency, public safety, coaching and biker ministries.

For more information on Texas Baptists Chaplaincy, contact Bobby Smith at bobby.smith@texasbaptists.org or (214) 828-5381.