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BGAV’s Spence Network Spotlights Uptick Alumni BGAV’s Spence Network Spotlights Uptick Alumni

The word uptick is defined as a small increase. An uptick in a certain The word uptick is defined as a small increase. An uptick in a certain activity is seen as something making a significant movement. activity is seen as something making a significant movement. Through the Spence Network, the BGAV invests in the “small Through the Spence Network, the BGAV invests in the “small increases” by offering networking and mentoring opportunities to increases” by offering networking and mentoring opportunities to eager and innovative leaders who in turn make an impact on the eager and innovative leaders who in turn make an impact on the local church. local church. Since 2008, 136 young leaders have come through the Uptick Since 2008, 136 young leaders have come through the Uptick program. These members are serving across Virginia, the United program. These members are serving across Virginia, the , and as far as Norway. By the end of 2017, the total number States, and as far as Norway. By the end of 2017, the total number of Uptick alumni will increase to 167. of Uptick alumni will increase to 167. Nabeel Qureshi, alumnus of the Uptick class of Nabeel Qureshi, alumnus of the Uptick class of 2011, is a renowned speaker and writer. He wrote 2011, is a renowned speaker and writer. He wrote the New York Times bestseller, No God but One: the New York Times bestseller, No God but One: Allah or Jesus?, and the follow-up book, Seeking Allah or Jesus?, and the follow-up book, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, which is the only book ever Allah, Finding Jesus, which is the only book ever to win Christian Book Awards for both “Best to win Christian Book Awards for both “Best New Author” and “Best Nonfiction.” New Author” and “Best Nonfiction.”Christianity Today featured Qureshi as one of “33 Under 33,” in a cover story Today featured Qureshi as one of “33 Under 33,” in a cover story on emerging religious leaders. Born in the US and raised as a on emerging religious leaders. Born in the US and raised as a devout Muslim, Nabeel found Christ through many discussions devout Muslim, Nabeel found Christ through many discussions with Christian friends. He talks about his spiritual development with Christian friends. He talks about his spiritual development in Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, and in the follow-up, Seeking Allah, in Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, and in the follow-up, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus Video Study. He recently published Answering Jihad, Finding Jesus Video Study. He recently published Answering Jihad, which delves into jihad, the rise of ISIS, and Islamic terrorism. which delves into jihad, the rise of ISIS, and Islamic terrorism. Nabeel is a lifelong student, holding multiple degrees in medicine, Nabeel is a lifelong student, holding multiple degrees in medicine, , and religion; and is pursuing a doctorate Christian apologetics, and religion; and is pursuing a doctorate in New Testament studies at Oxford University. Recently, he in New Testament studies at Oxford University. Recently, he was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer. The BGAV requests was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer. The BGAV requests prayers for Nabeel’s complete healing and comfort as he endures prayers for Nabeel’s complete healing and comfort as he endures BGAV BGAV Advancing the Kingdom ogether Advancing the Kingdom ogether

Ministries like this one are made possible by the generous Cooperative Missions gifts Ministries like this one are made possible by the generous Cooperative Missions gifts of Virginia Baptist churches affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia. of Virginia Baptist churches affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Read more Kingdom Stories at BGAV.org/Blog. Read more Kingdom Stories at BGAV.org/Blog.

chemotherapy. To keep others informed of his progress, Nabeel chemotherapy. To keep others informed of his progress, Nabeel vlogs about his story on YouTube and Facebook. vlogs about his story on YouTube and Facebook. Another 2011 Uptick alumni, Brad Rhodes, Another 2011 Uptick alumni, Brad Rhodes, with his band, MELODIME, created a nonprofit with his band, MELODIME, created a nonprofit organization—Now I Play Along Too—to provide organization—Now I Play Along Too—to provide musical instruments and instruction to children musical instruments and instruction to children who are in difficult situations. Now I Play Along who are in difficult situations. Now I Play Along Too’s first project was at the Source of Light Too’s first project was at the Source of Light Center in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in 2014. MELODIME Center in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in 2014. MELODIME arrived with over 30 instruments and spent a week teaching the arrived with over 30 instruments and spent a week teaching the children and setting up continued instruction through local music children and setting up continued instruction through local music teachers. They have returned several times to lead music camps, teachers. They have returned several times to lead music camps, most recently in August 2016. most recently in August 2016. Katie McKown joined Uptick in 2013 and is Katie McKown joined Uptick in 2013 and is currently serving as pastor of Scottsville Baptist currently serving as pastor of Scottsville Baptist Church, Scottsville. She is the first female pastor Church, Scottsville. She is the first female pastor called to the historical church, and she also called to the historical church, and she also serves on BGAV Executive Board. In addition, she serves on BGAV Executive Board. In addition, she is co-leading a new US/Canada Uptick group is co-leading a new US/Canada Uptick group called “NABWU” (North American Board Women’s called “NABWU” (North American Board Women’s Union), which is the North American branch of the Baptist World Union), which is the North American branch of the Baptist World Alliance Women’s Department. Alliance Women’s Department.

For more information about the Spence Network, For more information about the Spence Network, contact: contact: John Chandler John Chandler Leader, Spence Network Leader, Spence Network Baptist General Association of Virginia BGAV Baptist General Association of Virginia BGAV Advancing the Kingdom ogether Advancing the Kingdom ogether 888.674.4362 888.674.4362 [email protected] [email protected] BGAV.org BGAV.org