On January 12, the Church Equipping Team along with NCBAM hosted an informational meeting on starting a Senior Aging Ministry. The meeting was well attended with 27 attending from our churches. One of the responses from that meeting and subsequent meetings, is for our association to hold a Senior revival. This two day revival will be held on Monday, April 17 and Tuesday, April 18 from 11:00-12:00, lunch will be provided after each service. More details will be provided at a later date. ~Mike Smith, Church Equipping Team Leader
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Greetings from the prayer emphasis team! We are excited about what God has in store for the upcoming year as we pray and seek the face of God. We believe that it is by the power of prayer that we are seeing the movement of God in our land. We rejoice in what the Lord did last year through our team. We saw the most well-attended outcry for our schools that we have seen in recent years. Furthermore, we saw the advancement of pastors coming every week to seek fellowship and to pray for our community, but more importantly, for an outpouring of God's presence in our area. What are our plans for this coming year?
The plan will be to continue our growth from last year and increase what we offer the association. First and foremost, we are planning on May 4th an event for the national day of prayer. The event will be during the lunch hour, and we will focus on praying as the theme calls for. The theme is "Pray Fervently in Righteousness and Avail Much." So, you be much in prayer about that, and we will get more information to you.
Also, we are planning a night of prayer. We would like to have a joint service one night, where all we do is center our hearts and mind on praying and seeking the face of God.
There will be other events as the group leaders meet, but those are two new projects that we are focused on, and we pray that you all will participate in both events. We count it a privilege and opportunity to serve with you all, and may God bless you. ~Joe Wood, Prayer Emphasis Team Leader
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Gospel ‘Hands and Feet’
Do you have pretty feet? Isaiah 52:7 tells us that feet that bring good news are beautiful!! Additionally, Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we God’s workmanship, created for good works and that we should ‘walk’ in those works. As believers we have the joy of presenting a Christian message to everyone we meet. Many times, that joy is expressed through practical, hands on, life-giving opportunities. I don’t want you to miss out on some upcoming chances to be the ‘hands and feet’ of Jesus. As a collection of churches, Elkin Baptist Association is looking for creative ways to express the love of Jesus in our own community and beyond. Here are a few practical ways you can be on mission with your brothers and sisters in Christ in 2023:
· June 23-24 – Missions of Mercy (MOM) is coming to Elkin! This program features free dental care provided for hundreds of people. Elkin was selected as a site for this massive project. Elkin Elementary School will become a temporary dental clinic designed to provide care for those who are in need. What can you do? Volunteer! This will not cost us anything, another group is funding the project. However, they will need dozens of volunteers and Elkin Baptist Association can provide that! The volunteer portal opens up on March 15. More information on how to volunteer is coming soon.
· Local Projects – We are putting together several local, need-based projects focused on helping our community with practical needs while sharing the love of Christ. NOTE: If your church knows of a need that they would like to bring other churches in on, please contact Stephen Robbins at 336-467-4147. We will coordinate these efforts together.
October 25-28 – Baltimore Mission Trip to work with Pastor Charlie Brown and Graffiti church in East Baltimore. This will be another multi-church mission trip that will feature community outreach through the annual Fall festival as well as other hands-on caring projects. More details and signup information will be available as we get closer, but mark your calendar now.
~Stephen Robbins, Mission Engagement Team Leader
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NC Baptist Aging Ministry
The Mission for NCBAM is “to provide help for the journey to seniors 65+ in ways that help maintain independence and quality of life.” Our Church Equipping Team will be working to develop a partnership with NCBAM to fulfill that mission in the Elkin Baptist Association.
One of the ways we can “provide help for the journey” is through the Handyman Ministry. This ministry to the seniors 65+ will be determined by the skills of those serving on the Handyman Ministry Team. Our churches will be contacted about how we can get started and develop this ministry.
“I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than receive.” Acts 20:35
~Larry McCoy, Elkin Association Mission Strategist
