| In this issue: Let’s Celebrate Friends of the Children Senior Adult Luncheon Children’s Ministry Summit Steve Mathews Fish Fry Benefit Upcoming Opportunitie Pastors and Wives Dinner to Meet AMS- RSVP by Monday Cakes for Kids Save the Date Men’s Rally Resource of the Week Church News Partner News Pastoral Training Lab |
Special Called Business Meeting CRBA Churches and Pastors, Your CRBA Associational Missionary Strategist Search Team are excited to inform you that God has led us to His candidate for this position. We have been praying and searching since June 1, 2025. We have reviewed numerous resumes. We have conducted interviews digitally and in person. It has been a joy serving our Lord Jesus Christ and His local churches, which comprise the CRBA. The Associational Council and the moderator in cooperation with the search team are calling a special business meeting on May 5th at 6:30pm at Burkemont for the team to present the candidate and to allow the candidate to share. Then, the CRBA messengers will be given secret ballots to vote “Yes” or “No” for the candidate. Preceding the business meeting, there will be a meet and greet with the candidate and his wife 5:00-6:00pm at Burkemont. This time is designed for the messengers and any guests to meet the candidate and his wife.We encourage you to continue to pray for this process and especially for the meeting on May 5th. May the Lord’s Will be done for His glory and His honor. If there are any questions, you may address them to any of the team members: Luke Lane, Chair; Stephen Collins, Vice Chair; Sally Dixon, Secretary; Marty Bess; Justin Cunningham; Gene Kirby; Lori Matthews; and Jack Hodges, Alternate.In Christ, CRBA AMS Search Team Let’s Celebrate Friends of the Children Mission Day  We were grateful for 14 participants from three CRBA churches who came together to serve during Friends of the Children Day at Clyde Children’s Campus. It was a meaningful day filled with connection, teamwork, and a shared heart for ministry. Thank you to each person who took time to invest and make a difference! Senior Adult Luncheon  Senior Adult Spring Luncheon Celebration What a wonderful time we shared together at our Senior Adult Spring Luncheon! It was truly a special day filled with fellowship, encouragement, and joy. We are so grateful to Mount Home Baptist Church for providing such delicious food and for their warm and gracious hospitality. They made everyone feel welcome, and their servant hearts were evident in every detail. We were also blessed by the message brought by Danny Emory. His words were both uplifting and encouraging, reminding us of God’s faithfulness in every season of life. And of course, the entertainment by Michael Gantt (AKA Elvis Presley) was a great highlight of the day! His performance brought smiles, laughter, and plenty of fun as he had everyone tapping their feet and enjoying the moment. We thank the Lord for such a meaningful time together and for all who helped make this event so memorable. To God be the glory! Kid’s Ministry Summit   The CRBA took a group to the Kid’s Ministry Summit this week. The 2026 N.C. Baptist Kids Ministry Summit is a one-day conference focused on the theme “Anchored in Truth”: Standing Firm in Biblical Teaching in a Shifting Culture” (Hebrews 6:19) the event was full of worship, workshops, and breakout sessions for children’s ministry leaders to be refreshed, equipped, inspired and network with others. 5 people from 4 CRBA churches attended and we Praise God for this group and their dedication to serve the children in their churches. Steve Mathews Fish Fry Benefit  Tickets are $15 each and can be picked up at Catawba River Baptist Association or secured online using the QR code in the flyer. Upcoming Opportunities Pastors and Wives-RSVP by Monday  Pastors and wives are invited to a dinner on May 4th at 6:00pm to meet the AMS Candidate. We ask that you please RSVP by Monday April 27th so we will have an accurate count for food. Mount Calvary in Valdese will be hosting this meal. (828) 437-0137 let us know if you plan to attend. Cakes for Kids   Save the Date Men’s Rally  Resources of the Week  Your CRBA has an evangelism trailer available for you to check out. Checking out any resource is free of charge to all our CRBA churches. If you would like to reserve any CRBA resource just call (828) 437-0137.VBSWe’d love to help promote your VBS! If you’ll send us your dates and theme, we’ll include them here in the newsletter. Sharing this information also helps our churches connect and coordinate—especially for those using the same theme who may be able to share decorations based on their schedules.Church NewsSeveral of our churches are hiring a variety of positions. We list them here for just a couple of weeks and then ask you to visit our website to see all the positions open. If you have a community event we can advertise for you, please send us a .jpg to admin@crbanc.org and we would be so happy to put it in our Church News Section Set Free Christian Fellowship- Set Free Christian Fellowship is looking for a paid bi-vocational worship leader for their worship services. Contact David Turbeville if interested : 828-448-9615 Partner News Pastoral Training Lab Dates: April 23 Location: Trinity Baptist Church, 201 S Thompson Street, Whiteville NC 28472 Topic: Dealing with Discouragement in Pastoral Ministry Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Speaker: Sandy Marks Experience a transformative day of learning and growth at one of our one-day Pastor Training Labs. Engage in enriching sessions led by seasoned leaders, covering key topics in pastoral ministry. Gain practical insights, sharpen your skills and connect with fellow pastors in an informal environment. Elevate your leadership and deepen your impact in just one day. Date: May 19 Location: Pee Dee Baptist Association, 111 Raleigh St, Hamlet, NC 28345 Finding Joy When the Work Feels Heavy Pastoral ministry is one of the greatest callings and one of the hardest. Every shepherd knows the weight of loneliness, criticism, exhaustion and unmet expectations. Discouragement can creep in quietly, leaving even faithful pastors wondering if their labor is in vain. In this session, we’ll take an honest, biblical look at discouragement in ministry, why it happens, how it affects us, and how to overcome it through the grace and joy of Jesus Christ. You’ll walk away refreshed, encouraged and equipped with practical truths to help you persevere with joy in serving both the Lord and His church. Topics include:The reality of discouragement in ScriptureCommon causes of pastoral wearinessBiblical principles for endurance and renewalPractical rhythms to restore joy in ministryWho should attend: Pastors, ministry leaders and anyone shepherding God’s people who needs a reminder that God’s work is never in vain. Come ready to be encouraged, grounded in God’s Word and reminded of why you said “yes” to this calling.Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.Galatians 6:9 Register for Pastoral Training Lab Here SBC Worship Survey  A research team with the Worship Initiative is conducting a survey of music and worship practices in SBC churches—the first survey of its kind since 1938. We’re asking SBC churches of all sizes, ethnicities, and worship styles from across the country to let their voices be heard by completing this 10-minute survey. The more feedback we get, the clearer the picture of what worship and music looks and sounds like in our SBC churches.So far, we’ve had over 950 churches complete this survey, but only 30 of those are from North Carolina. We’d love to hear from many more of the 3,000+ SBC churches in North Carolina. That’s why I’m asking for your help. Click for a short video. Pregnancy Care Center Bottle Drive  |
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