Bon Air Baptist Church

What Bon Air Baptist Church does

Bon Air Baptist Church (BABC) is a Southern Baptist congregation founded in 1952 in the Bon Air area of Richmond, Virginia, currently operating two physical campuses (Buford Road headquarters in Richmond and James River Campus in Midlothian) plus digital worship streaming via BABC Live! The church offers a comprehensive ministry portfolio including contemporary and traditional worship services, children's ministry (birth through 5th grade), student ministry (6th-12th grade), adult discipleship with life groups, the Bon Air Weekday preschool program, ESL classes serving learners from over 20 language backgrounds since 1982, prison ministry spanning 40+ years across two Virginia correctional centers, a weekly food pantry serving approximately 70 families, recreation programs (pickleball, basketball, kickboxing, Pilates), a 9,000+ item church library, and a columbarium and memory garden for member inurnment.

The church's technology stack is composed entirely of standard third-party SaaS platforms rather than proprietary systems: Zoom for virtual classes, Shelby Giving and Pushpay for online donations, Constant Contact for the BABC Weekly eNews newsletter, RightNow Media for streaming discipleship content, and Facebook Live/YouTube/Instagram for sermon broadcasting and community engagement. No proprietary technology systems, AI capabilities, or in-house digital products have been developed.

Bon Air Baptist operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit religious organization governed by its membership and Church Council, affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and the Richmond Baptist Association. Revenue is generated through tithes and offerings from members and attendees (the dominant stream), preschool tuition and a $150 non-refundable application fee, Wednesday Night Dinner meal sales ($12 adult/$8 child/$45 family maximum), columbarium niche sales (single $1,500/double $2,500), facility rentals, and endowment fund contributions. The church distributes resources through 15+ partnership relationships including Habitat for Humanity, the International Mission Board, the Baptist General Association of Virginia, YoungLives, CARITAS, the International Rescue Committee, and Huguenot High School. Following Rev. Dr. Tom Stocks' 2022 departure, Dr. Robert Shehane served as Transitional Interim Pastor from March 2025, and Rev. Miller has been announced as the incoming permanent Lead Pastor.

Name

Bon Air Baptist Church

Legal name

Bon Air Baptist Church

Website

https://bonairbaptist.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bon Air Baptist Church is a 70+ year-old Southern Baptist congregation in Richmond, Virginia operating two campuses with worship, preschool, ESL, prison ministry, food pantry, recreation, and community outreach programs. It serves members, refugees, incarcerated individuals, and neighborhood families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311), Religious Organizations (813110)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

Keywords

• Religious services
• Faith-based community
• Worship services
• Community outreach
• Christian education

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Voluntary contributions from church members and attendees, typically following the biblical standard of tithing 10% of income
2. Wednesday Night Dinner: Weekly community dinner with meal sales - $12 adult, $8 child, $45 family maximum
3. Weekday Preschool Program: Faith-based preschool ministry serving one-year-olds through Pre-K with tuition payments; $150 non-refundable application fee
4. Columbarium and Memory Garden: Burial niche sales and inurnment services - Single Niche $1,500, Double Niche $2,500, with engraving and plaque options
5. Facility Rental: Fees for use of facility for events by non-members or organizations outside normal working hours
6. Endowment Fund Contributions: Gifts to endowment fund for perpetual ministry support, including cash donations, life insurance, retirement funds

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Bon Air Baptist Church is a multi-generational Southern Baptist congregation that delivers in-person and online worship services, age-segmented discipleship programming (children, students, adults, seniors), a faith-based weekday preschool, ESL and citizenship classes, community outreach (food pantry, prison ministry, mission partnerships), recreation programs, and a columbarium for member inurnment. Revenue is generated through tithes/offerings, program fees, and donations across two physical campuses (Buford Road and James River) plus digital streaming channels.

Product overview

Bon Air Baptist Church is a multi-generational Southern Baptist congregation in Richmond, VA offering a comprehensive portfolio of ministry programs. The church operates two physical campuses (Buford Road and James River) plus online worship. Core programs include Sunday worship services (contemporary and traditional), children's ministry, student ministry, adult discipleship with numerous life groups, and a weekday preschool. The church maintains active missions programs locally (food pantry, ESL, prison ministry, community needs) and internationally, plus recreation ministries, a church library, and a columbarium. The church uses digital platforms including Zoom for virtual classes, Shelby Giving for online donations, and streams services via Facebook and YouTube.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BABC Live!: Online worship streaming service for both contemporary and traditional services
• Bon Air Weekday
• Bon Books & Brew
• The Gathering
• Sanctuary Worship
• The Crossing

Products and services

• BABC Live! Online Worship Live and on-demand streaming of Sunday worship services via website, Facebook Live, and YouTube, including both the contemporary Gathering service at 9:30 a.m. and the Traditional Choir & Orchestra service at 11:00 a.m., accessible to members and the broader online community.
• Bon Air Weekday Preschool Faith-based preschool serving children from one year old through Pre-Kindergarten, operating September through May with morning program (9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) and extended day option (to 3:00 p.m.); $150 non-refundable application fee; includes chapel, character building, and kindergarten readiness.
• ESL Ministry Free English as a Second Language classes and U.S. Citizenship preparation classes offered Monday mornings and Wednesday evenings, serving learners from over 20 different language backgrounds since 1982; targeted at immigrants and refugees in the Richmond area.
• Children's Ministry Faith formation programming for children from birth through 5th grade including Sunday School, MidWeek Kids, Vacation Bible School, children's music, Parent's Morning Out, and children's missions; designed for families seeking faith development for elementary-age children.
• Student Ministry (The Crossing) Youth programming for students in 6th through 12th grade, including Wednesday night gatherings, Sunday morning Bible study, Sunday night family dinners, retreats, summer missions, and chaperone opportunities; focused on faith development during adolescent years.
• Adult Discipleship Bible study classes and life groups for adults including Sunday morning classes, Wednesday night classes, and various interest-based life groups (hiking, cycling, gardening); includes PrimeTimers senior ministry and special studies for senior adults 55+.
• Recreation Ministry Community recreation programs including open pickleball, Upward Basketball league, kickboxing, Pilates, and recreation trips; programs are open to the broader community and held at the church gym at 2531 Buford Road.
• Wednesday Night Dinner Weekly community dinner served in The Commons from 5:30-6:30 p.m. with prepared meals available for purchase: $12 per adult meal, $8 per child meal (ages 10 and under), $45 family maximum (must register together).
• Columbarium & Memory Garden Burial option for church members offering single niches ($1,500) and double niches ($2,500) for inurnment of ashes, plus engraving ($100) and inurnment services ($100-$480); includes expanded outdoor garden space.
• Worship & Music Program Comprehensive music ministry including Sanctuary Choir, orchestra, contemporary praise band, handbell choirs, and student/children's music programs with annual special concerts; supports both traditional and contemporary worship services.
• Missions Ministry Local, domestic, and international mission programs including food pantry, ESL classes, prison ministry, and international mission trips (Nicaragua March 2024, Dominican Republic June 2024); partners with IMB, BGAV, Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, Alma Hunt Offering, V3 Movement, Habitat for Humanity, YoungLives, CARITAS, and The Healing Place.
• Prison Ministry Over 40 years of ministry to incarcerated individuals through worship services, biblical studies, and pen pal correspondence at State Farm and Beaumont Correctional Centers, plus juvenile facility activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving 70 families weekly through food pantry
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Dominican Republic Family Mission TripminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2024Family mission trip to Dominican Republic, June 22-29, 2024. Partnership with local communities for outreach and service.
• Nicaragua - Food for the HungryminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 March 2024International mission trip to Nicaragua with Food for the Hungry, March 8-15, 2024. Team of volunteers serving communities in need.
• Habitat for HumanitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHabitat for Humanity offers hope through safe and affordable homes, breaking the cycle of poverty. Bon Air Baptist Church serves with area congregations through the Unity Build, building homes in Richmond.
• International Mission Board (IMB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMB currently supports over 3,500 missionaries in the field. Bon Air supports IMB missionaries through the International Missions offering with 100% of gifts going to missionaries.
• Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBGAV supports indigenous missionaries working in their native lands. Bon Air supports BGAV missionaries and participates in BGAV programs including the V3 church planting movement and Kairos initiative.
• YoungLivescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYoungLives invites teen moms to experience life the way God designed through mentoring, prayer, club events, and camp retreats. Bon Air volunteers mentor young mothers in the Richmond area.
• CARITAScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CARITAS Center helps men and women find a path to recovery. Bon Air creates welcome home buckets, builds tables for families coming out of homelessness, helps feed residents, hosts game nights and Bible studies.
• V3 Movement (Church Planting)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe V3 church planting movement exists to help start disciple-making churches that are signs, foretakings, and instruments of God's kingdom. Bon Air supports with 14% of Domestic Missions offering.
• Annie Armstrong Easter OfferingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Annie Armstrong Easter Offering supports Southern Baptist missionaries serving across the United States and Canada. Bon Air contributes 10% of Domestic Missions offering.
• Alma Hunt Offering for Virginia MissionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Alma Hunt offering funds WMUV missions and ministries including the BABC WMU, special ministries, outreach projects, and initiatives unique to Virginia Baptists.
• The Healing PlaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Healing Place and Emergency Shelter serves homeless individuals and those recovering from addiction. Bon Air provides volunteer support and resources.
• Virginia Baptist Disaster ResponseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirginia Baptist Disaster Response prepares volunteers to serve when disasters strike nearby areas. Bon Air members can participate after completing online training.
• Huguenot High SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBon Air supports Huguenot High School through the Falcon Food Pantry, Clothes Closet, and Mentoring Ministry for male athletes.
• Bridging RVAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBridging RVA connects people to advance common good in the community through initiatives including 150 Beds for 150 Kids, Christmas Day Dinner, and serving Title I schools.
• International Rescue Committee (IRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBon Air assists IRC with resettling Afghan refugee families by helping move families into new homes and meeting other basic needs.
• State Farm Correctional CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBon Air holds worship services at State Farm Correctional Center, sharing the gospel with incarcerated individuals through music, teaching, and pen pal correspondence.
• Beaumont Correctional CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBon Air holds worship services at Beaumont Correctional Center with music, teaching, and biblical studies for incarcerated individuals.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• St. Paul's Baptist Church: Large historic Baptist church in Richmond, VA with extensive community programs, preschool/educational offerings, and a multi-campus presence. Direct peer in denomination, market, and ministry portfolio breadth.
• Grove Avenue Baptist Church: Long-established Southern Baptist church in the Richmond, VA area. Closely comparable in denomination, regional market, multi-generational programming, and congregation scale.
• Northminster Baptist Church: Richmond-area Baptist church with similar worship, education, and community outreach programs. Direct peer by denomination, market, and community-focused ministry model.
• First Baptist Church of Richmond: Major historic Baptist congregation in downtown Richmond, Virginia. Direct regional peer with overlapping Baptist denominational affiliation, comparable programming for children, adults, and missions, and similar community service footprint in the Richmond metro.
• River Road Church, Baptist: Affiliated Baptist church in the Richmond metro area with similar worship and discipleship programming. Direct peer by denomination and regional market overlap.
• Trinity Baptist Church: Multi-campus Baptist church with comparable comprehensive programming (children, students, adults, missions). Direct peer in denomination, multi-site model, and ministry breadth.

Broad incumbents

• Gateway Church: Large multi-campus evangelical church with worship services, preschool, recreation, and global missions. Comparable in multi-site, multi-program operating model and community outreach orientation, though operating at substantially larger scale.
• North Point Community Church: Large multi-campus evangelical church with extensive children's, student, and adult discipleship programming plus online streaming. Comparable in comprehensive programming model and digital reach, though broader in denomination and scale.

Regional players

• McLean Bible Church: Large multi-campus Southern Baptist-affiliated church in Northern Virginia with online streaming, preschool, and community missions. Comparable in multi-campus, multi-program model, but operates in a different metro region.
• Prestonwood Baptist Church: Large Southern Baptist church in Plano, Texas with multi-site campuses, comprehensive family programming, and global missions. Comparable in denomination, multi-site strategy, and ministry portfolio, though in a different regional market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/BABChurch
• Facebookfacebook.com/BONAIRBAPTIST
• Instagraminstagram.com/bonairbaptist
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bon-air-baptist-church

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bon Air Baptist Church