Dr. John Upton, Jr. began serving as the Executive Director of the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) in 2001 and has served the BGAV in that role for over 20 years. John had been the group leader of the BGAV’s Mission Mobilization Group since 1995.  John has brought so many positive things to the BGAV (and to Baptists and Christians in general in Virginia and all over the world).  He even served as the President of The Baptist World Alliance for five years!

John is married to Deborah, has two sons (Christopher and Richard), a daughter (Emily), and eight grandchildren. John’s last day at the BGAV will be July 31, 2022.  

GraceInside President Randy Myers shares that John Upton has been a true mentor and encourager to him during the 16 years that Randy has been with Chaplain Service/GraceInside.  John has been a tremendous cheerleader, advocate and supporter of/for our prison chaplaincy ministry.  John has always had a heart for “the least of these”, and we so appreciate his many years of faithful service as Executive Director of the BGAV.  We are excited for John as he takes this next step in his life’s journey (though we are sad to see him go!), and we wish him God’s very best blessings.  Our GraceInside Family will truly miss you, John!