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|  Belle View Baptist Church was founded on June 18, 1958. For five years the church met in Belle View Elementary School. The present building was constructed and dedicated in 1963. Belle View is associated with the Northstar Church network, an association of over 150 Baptist congregations in Northern Virginia, and the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV). Belle View has never been a large church, but it has always been a part of the larger community, having an impact far greater than its size would indicate. During the turbulent 1960's, when Virginia elected officials were advocating massive resistance to the civil rights movement, the pastor and people of Belle View were the first church in the Baptist General Association to receive an African American into full, unrestricted membership. A year later, the congregation selected and ordained an African American deacon. Belle View remains committed to making Paul's admonition to the Galatians a reality: "for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus." (NRSV, Gal. 3:26b-28). For this reason, we are pleased to announce that the congregation voted on February 15, 2009, to create a Hispanic Mission. The memorandum of agreement between Belle View and the Hispanic Mission can be read in English and Spanish by clicking on the links below. We are an evangelical community of faith, embracing God's love for us individually and as a family of believers. We believe that the church is the local fellowship of baptized Christians who are called together in Christ's name to worship God, proclaim the Gospel to all people, and serve others as Jesus has commanded us: You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart, mind, and soul, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself. | |
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