These are common questions. It is easy to confuse the two and not understand the distinctions between the two related organizations.

The Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) was established in 1823 and it has always existed to “furnish the Baptist churches of Virginia a medium of cooperation for the propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and for the advancement of the Redeemer's Kingdom by all methods in accord with the Word of God.”

The BGAV meets annually unless called into special session by officers of the Association.

Here are excerpts from the Articles of Incorporation for the Virginia Baptist Mission Board that help to explain the role of the VBMB:

• To assist and to foster missions in the dissemination of Christianity;
  
• The Virginia Baptist Mission Board shall have entire management of the matters committed to its trust, and shall make such bylaws and carry out such plans as may seem judicious, provided they are in strict accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of the General Association and such instructions as may from time to time be given by the General Association. Although the Virginia Baptist Mission Board shall not have authority to control and direct the boards, agencies, and institutions of the General Association, it is instructed and commissioned to maintain liaison with and to study the affairs of these boards, agencies, and institutions in search of acceptable solutions to problems which may arise. The Virginia Baptist Mission Board shall keep records of its proceedings and make an annual report to the General Association;
  
• To assist persons preparing for the Baptist ministry;
  
• To propose to the Budget Committee for recommendation to the General Association an annual allocation for each agency and institution;
  
• To have and to hold by purchase, gift, bequest, and devise, real and personal property, and to receive, collect, and disburse money for such missionary, educational, and benevolent purposes under the direction of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, and to have and to hold and to administer under such direction real estate and personal property for the purposes of the corporation;
  
• The Virginia Baptist Mission Board shall also act in the interim for the General Association on such matters as the officers of the General Association may determine to require action before the next meeting of the General Association; and generally to do all things which may be germane or incident to any of the objects and purposes set out above; and to do all and everything necessary, suitable, or proper for the accomplishment of any of the purposes or the attainment of any one or more of the objects enumerated, or which shall at any time be necessary, conducive, or expedient for the benefit of the corporation, provided that its objects and purposes shall be confined to charitable and benevolent Christian work.