Let’s Celebrate
- LoveBurke
- Men’s Rally
In this issue:
Upcoming Opportunities
- Fall Joint Worship and Mission Fair for all 68 CRBA Churches!
- Toys Needed
- Golf Tournament
- Senior Adult Luncheon
- See You at the Pole
- VBS Think Tank
- Family Mission Trip
Resource of the Week
Out of the Box Idea
Church News
Partner News

Let’s Celebrate

LoveBurke

Thank you to all the churches who partnered together to make LoveBURKE a great success. This year our churches fed over 2,000 public school employees to show them the love of Christ. The cost was over $15,480, and our churches worked together to get it done. The result was greater rapport between our churches, the school system, and their employees. We have had numerous schools contact us to say how they truly appreciated this special ministry of our churches. To God be the glory! Thank you CRBA for partnering to show the love of Christ to our 2,000 school employees.

Men’s Rally

Thank you, Amherst, for hosting a remarkable event where over 200 men and boys came together in worship and fellowship. It was a powerful experience, and we are grateful for the opportunity to connect and grow in our faith as a community.

Upcoming Opportunities

Fall Joint Worship Service for all 68 CRBA Churches

Event Overview:

Business Session & Meal: The event will start with a Business Session at 4:30 PM, during which a meal will be provided for all messengers. Churches are required to RSVP by October 10th with the number of messengers who plan to eat. Cost is $10 per plate.
Choir Practice: A joint choir practice will also take place at 4:30 PM, meaning choir members will be practicing during the meeting.
Worship Service: Following the meeting, a Worship Service will begin at 6:00 PM.
Mission Fair: After the Worship Service, there will be a Mission Fair. Churches interested in reserving a table at the fair to showcase mission ideas should contact (828)437-0137 or email admin@crbanc.org as space is limited.

Join us for our Annual Fall Joint Worship and Mission Fair! This special event will be hosted by Walker Road Baptist Church and will feature a joint church choir along with Guest Speaker Chuck Lawless. Churches are asked to contact the CRBA to register their messengers for the business session, which will begin at 4:30 PM. A meal will be provided for all messengers at a cost of $10. If your church would like to have a table at the Mission Fair please let the CRBA office know. We look forward to coming together in worship and fellowship!

Toys Needed

We’re collecting toys for our 30th Annual Toy Store. You can pick up a collection box from the CRBA. Your contributions will bring joy to children this holiday season and each family that comes through Toy Store will hear a Gospel presentation. Join us in praying for this important ministry.

Golf Tournament

This is going to be another great tournament to support our annual Toy Store ministry. Part of this great ministry is hole sponsorships from businesses, churches, Sunday School classes and individuals. The Sponsorships are as follows:$100 Silver
You get one sign at a hole
$250 Gold
You get 3 signs displayed at different locations
$500 Platinum
You get 3 signs
Includes a 4-person team
special recognition in CRBA publications
There will be dozens of prizes given so please support families in need by:

Playing (sign up today)
Being a hole sponsor
Helping us get the word out

Senior Adult Luncheon

If you would like to attend the Senior Adult Luncheon on Sept. 17th please RSVP by Sept. 9th at Noon. The cost will be $10.00 a person. We are asking that you bring a toy for the Toy Store Ministry.

See You At the Pole

Attention All VBS Directors and Leaders

Join us for an exciting VBS Think Tank on Sept. 16th at 6 PM at the CRBA.

This is a fantastic opportunity to collaborate, exchange tips, and explore new resources to make your Vacation Bible School program a success. Don’t miss out on this chance to connect with fellow leaders and enhance your VBS experience. We look forward to seeing you there! Please click here to RSVP.

Family Mission Trip

Would you like to participate in a 1 day mission trip? Join the CRBA for a work day at the Broyhill Children’s Home. For more information or to register please click here.
All volunteers must fill out this quick online form for the safety of the Baptist Children’s Home.

Resource of the Week

Your CRBA has a several Patio heaters for your ministry events. To view our resources check out our website here. If you would like to reserve the Patio heaters for your church, please call 828-437-0137 or email admin@crbanc.org.

Out of the Box Idea

Here’s a list of 10 fall church outreach ideas from Outreachmagazine.com to help your church engage with your community, and grow!
1. Serve first responders on Labor Day
Local first responders are on the front lines of our communities. As they serve people in crisis, they often put their own lives in danger to keep our communities safe and healthy. Many of them won’t get to enjoy a day off on Labor Day, so this is a great opportunity for your church to show appreciation for the vital work first responders do.
Gather a group together to bring snacks, baked goods, or lunch to first responders. If you’re only able to drop food off, include some handwritten thank you notes. If you’re able, hang around and talk with first responders and express your gratitude in person!
This is a simple, easy way to bless people who work hard to keep our communities safe. In fact, consider gathering people in your church to do something similar for first responders on every holiday.
2. Encourage teachers in local schools
The start of a new school year can be both exciting and stressful as kids, families, and teachers settle into new routines. This is a great time to show teachers how much your church appreciates the important work they do.
An easy way to do this is by dropping off breakfast — coffee, donuts, fruit, etc. — at local schools. If you can get a list of the teachers in each school, have your church staff or volunteers write them each a thank you note. This is a nice gesture at the start of each semester. If your church is able, sponsoring a breakfast once per month is a great way to consistently show teachers they’re appreciated.
3. Host tailgate parties before high school or college football games
If high school or college football is big in your town, tailgate parties are a great way to get out and connect with a wide range of people in your community. Depending on available space, you can either tailgate outside the football stadium, or host the party at your church beforehand.
Either way, free food, games, and music are a great way to draw people in and connect. You can have a tent set up with your church’s logo and have staff or volunteers wear church t-shirts so people will know who to connect with if they’re interested in learning more about your church.
4. Work concessions at school sports games
Schools tend to rely on volunteers to staff concessions stands during games, and the responsibility often falls on parents of players. Volunteering to run the concession stand frees up parents to watch the game and support their players. It also gives volunteers from your church the chance to connect with students, parents, and community members.
On a similar note, if there are games going on in public parks and fields that might not have concessions, set up your own stand with some free treats for parents and kids alike!
5. Join National Back To Church Sunday
Back To Church Sunday happens every year in September. It’s a chance for your church to join with thousands of other churches across America to intentionally get out in your communities and invite people back to church.
Why join the movement? Tailoring an entire Sunday to newcomers can help your church members feel more confident about inviting them to church. You can even empower your congregation to get out and invite with materials that help them start conversations about faith!
6. Offer free leaf raking services
Many people in your community may be unable to keep up with the extra yard maintenance that comes with fall leaves. Elderly people, those who are ill or injured, or single parents — all could likely use a helping hand with raking leaves.
Recruit a team at your church to commit to volunteering for this several times throughout the season. You can of course start with helping anyone in your church that needs assistance, but you can also ask for church members to submit names of friends or neighbors they know to be in need.
Have volunteers wear t-shirts with your church logo as they perform the lawn maintenance. Dropping off fall baked goods at each house is an extra special touch, and gives your volunteers the chance to connect a little more with people they’re serving.
7. Create a community pumpkin patch
If you have space at your church, creating a community pumpkin patch is a fun way to embrace the season. Pumpkin picking is a delight for children, and their parents will likely be eager to bring them to an affordable fall activity. You can offer pumpkins for free, but also leave a jar out for donations.
If you want to go the extra mile, consider throwing an opening day party for the pumpkin patch. Face painting, fall-themed games, and pumpkin flavored snacks all add to the seasonal fun. You could even host an outdoor concert with a local musician to really get the party going!
8. Stock a local food pantry
Host a food drive at your church to benefit a local food pantry. Find out if there are specific types of food the pantry has special need for. Then over the course of several weeks, ask your church to bring in nonperishable food on the food pantry’s list. Choose a day to deliver the food and recruit volunteers as necessary to help.
Many churches focus on contributing to food pantries in the fall and winter, which is great! There’s a strong need for food in the colder months, especially around the holidays. However, food pantries often see a decrease in donations at other times of year when they still could use help to meet the needs of their communities. Consider sponsoring a local food pantry and committing to regular donations throughout the year.
9. Host a community Thanksgiving meal
Hosting a community Thanksgiving meal is a great way to reach out to those in your church and community who may otherwise be alone for the holidays. Consider who in your community may be far from home and family and unable to travel: military members, college students, elderly folks, etc. Encourage church members to invite friends, neighbors, and coworkers — anyone that could use some fellowship over a meal.
Recruit volunteers from your church to help. You can divide up the day in shifts or teams to keep things organized and make it easier for people’s schedules. Set up, meal prep, serving, clean up — each of these could use its own team.
10. Throw a Fall Family Movie Night
A fall movie night is a great way to offer families a fun outing as the days grow dark earlier and nights become chilly. All you need is a projector, a family friendly movie (complete with movie license), and snacks. Try adding a fall theme to your food — think caramel popcorn and hot apple cider for extra festivity.
Tell your church members about the event a few weeks in advance and encourage them to invite people from their communities. You can even advertise the movie night at other fall events or outreach opportunities (like your tailgate parties or as a follow-up for newcomers from Back To Church Sunday).

News from our CRBA Churches

Amherst Baptist Church invites all Youth to The Commission Youth Rally on November 17 from 4:30-8:00.

Burkemont Baptist Church invites you to Judgement House on Oct. 23, 26, 27, 30. See flyer for times. Call 828-437-6582 for group reservations.

Hopewell Baptist Church Invites you to a Fall Revival. Services will begin the morning of Sept. 15th with Danny Emory preaching and continue the evenings of the 15th-18th at 6:30pm with Ryan Perry Ministries leading.

Mount Home Baptist Church warmly invites you and your congregation to join us on Sunday evening, September 8th for an enlightening evening dedicated to understanding and addressing the needs of foster children in Burke County. A panel of experts with lived foster care experience will share insights on how the church can actively minister to the least of these within our community. Whether you’re considering becoming a foster parent or simply want to learn more about supporting foster children and families, this event is designed for you.
Come explore how God might be calling you to make a difference in this crucial area. Together, let’s discover ways to bring hope and support to those in need.

Oak Ridge Baptist Church The Compassionate Heart Clinic of Oak Ridge is seeking patients (18 and older). Patients must have financial needs and be ineligible for Medicaid or Medicare. Call 828-522-1112 for more information.

Oak Ridge would also like to invite you to a Free training event. The training is designed to help adults know how to prevent and respond to sexual abuse in children. If you have questions, call or text Jennifer Gold at 828-525-6002 or email burkecac@southmountain.org.

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church invites you to a fall revival Sunday morning Sept 22 at 10:30am and Sunday – Thursday evening Sept 22-Sept 24 at 6pm. The Guest Speaker will be Pastor and Evangelist Dr. Rocky Branch.

Walker Road Baptist Church has 130 1975 Red Baptist Hymnals to give away to anyone who can use them. If interested please contact Mark Ball @ (828) 712-9124. Walker Rd. also has 2 pulpits (pictured below) to give away. Contact number above.

Wilkies Grove Baptist Church invites all men to a Men’s Breakfast on Oct. 19th at 8:30am.

Wilkies Grove also invites you to join their Fall Revival on Oct 6-9. Rev. Graham Hildebran will be delivering the word.

Partner News

Vessels of Mercy Yard Sale

Community Bible Study

Community Bible Study invites you to join them for a study on Matthew entitled Meet King Jesus. They will meet on Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30 pm starting on September 10, 2024 at First Baptist Church Morganton. For more information contact morgantoneve.cbsclass.org.

Marriage Refresh Conference

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2024 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH SANFORD
Family Foundations Ministry of Baptists on Mission is sponsoring “Marriage Refresh Conference.” This is a one day marriage conference from 9 am – 3:30 pm. The cost of the conference will be $40 per couple and that includes conference materials and lunch. This conference will be held at First Baptist Church, 202 Summitt Dr., Sanford, NC 27330. Tom and Jackie are great conference leaders and any marriage will benefit from this time!

If you would like promotional materials (cards) that you can use at your church to promote the marriage conference, please contact Dollie Noa at dnoa@ncbaptist.org.

CRBA Update August 28, 2024