Rev. Dr. John V. Upton Jr., former UBC pastor, talks of mission work during visit

by Larry Chowning –

Rev. Upton was pastor of Urbanna Baptist Church over two stints from 1983-1985 and 1991-1995, becoming head of the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) in 2001.

In 2010, he was also elected president of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) for a five-year term.

The BWA job took him to all parts of the world and visits with world leaders. After 27 years on the job, Rev. Upton announced his retirement effective July 31, 2022.

On Tuesday, April 19, he visited Saluda Baptist Church to speak to the future of Baptists in Virginia to members of Mid-Tidewater Baptist Association (MTBA).

Rev. Upton told the group the path ahead for the church is, as it always has been, a challenge. COVID-19 and other factors have made it even more of challenge, he said.
He encouraged members to be accepting of change and used a personal example of his daughter Emily asking him to meet some of her friends who questioned the church.

“I told her that would be great, we will put some hamburgers on the grill and feed them,” he said. “Emily said, ‘Dad you better put veggie burgers on the grill; they don’t eat meat.’ ”
When Emily’s friends came over they were covered in tattoos. They queried Rev. Upton on his faith and what it meant to him. “They kept coming over so I introduced them to one of our senior church women’s groups where the members baked cookies regularly,” he said.

“Through those women the girls bonded and with the help of those cookies and the presence of God it brought meaning to the young and to the old.”

Upton continued, “As a church we have to find ways to bring young and old together to spread God’s word and God’s message. The church’s future is tied to how we as a church learn to get along with one another.”