Associational Missions Emphasis Week is May 21–28.
I believe the value of an association and the reason churches should belong to their association is simply that exact word — ‘association.’ We should, and I believe are commanded to, ‘associate’ ourselves together. We are to not forsake the gathering of ourselves together. Together we can accomplish so much for the Kingdom than we can individually. Together we represent a greater cause with greater support. Without church involvement, there simply is no association. Church involvement, participation and cooperation are vital to the existence and the work of the association.”
Brad Campbell, director of missions, Bigbee Baptist Association, and pastor, Siloam Baptist Church, York
People saved and called by God to work together and win their area for Jesus — that’s what an association is. The association is only as good as the commitment the people make to it and to the Lord. … It’s more than convenient collaboration — pastors need each other. The pastor of any church is quite possibly the loneliest person on earth. In an association a pastor can find friends and mentors among other pastors and have someone to lean on. Through the association the churches also get to know each other and develop friendships across the area. This makes working together for Christ all the easier.”
Keith Box, director of missions, Marion Baptist Association
The local association is the avenue for resourcing, training, encouraging, equipping and fellowshipping that has a greater impact for the Kingdom. It allows churches to be a part of something much larger than themselves and reach further than they could ever imagine. Something we did just recently that was a major evangelism effort was ‘Sharing Across Cherokee County.’ In this 30 of our 39 churches worked together from March 19 through Easter weekend praying over our church communities and distributing gospel packets to approximately 7,000 homes. The resources for this emphasis was provided by the association and the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. It allowed our churches to be plugged into a large-scale ministry that not one single church could have done alone, with the goal of reaching our county for Christ.”
Wendell Dutton, director of missions, Cherokee Baptist Association
Becoming a director of missions only one year ago has helped me to see in Acts 16:9–10 clearly the need for our churches to accomplish the task given to us. So we started a program called Partner with a Partner. Each of our churches was given a church not in their community to become a partner with. Our pastors are working together to create not only an associational connection but a personal connection with their partner church. We encourage them to have services together, lend singers to each other, share youth drama teams or just fellowship together. … I believe as we come together, we as an association will accomplish the Acts 1:8 challenge.”
David Miller, director of missions, Walker Baptist Association
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