| In this issue: Let’s Celebrate Toy Store 1st Timothy Project Graduates Upcoming Opportunities End of Year Giving No Sew Blankets Spruce Pine Mission Trip Resource of the Week Church News Partner News |
| Director of Missions Search Update Please continue to pray for our Director of Missions Search Team as they faithfully seek God’s heart and guidance for our next Director of Missions. This is an important season for our Association, and we are grateful for the team’s commitment to discernment, unity, and prayer. In the meantime, the Associational Council has asked Robby to remain in the role for a couple of months into the new year as the search continues. During this time, his office hours will be more flexible, but he will remain available and will continue to provide leadership and care for our churches. We are thankful for his willingness to serve and for God’s steady hand upon the Catawba River Baptist Association during this season. Let’s Celebrate Toy Store  Celebrating 31 Years of God’s Faithfulness Through CRBA’s Toy Store Ministry Thank you for praying for and partnering with us in this year’s Toy Store ministry. Once again, God showed His faithfulness in powerful ways as churches across our Association worked together to serve families in Burke County in the name of Jesus. This year, Toy Store served 942 children representing 361 families, meeting both practical needs and opening doors for Gospel conversations. In addition, toys were delivered to 50 children at the Baptist Children’s Home (Broyhill) in Clyde, NC, extending Christ’s love even further. Thank you, Lori and Emily Mathews, for your help in this effort. Most importantly, seven individuals indicated they received Christ as their Lord and Savior during Toy Store week. With your help, all prospects and new believers will be followed up by churches closest to their homes, ensuring ongoing care, discipleship, and connection to a local body of believers. This year marked the 31st year of Toy Store ministry serving Burke County, and we give all glory to God for sustaining and growing this outreach for more than three decades. Thank you, pastors and churches, for your continued support, prayers, volunteers, and generosity that make this vital ministry possible year after year. A special word of appreciation goes to Toy Store Director Skyla Gwyn and our outstanding leadership team, whose faithful service, organization, and heart for the Gospel were evident in every detail. Thank you again for working together for the cause of Christ. To God be the glory! Celebrating Our First Timothy Project 1.0 Graduates  Students Pictured: Lydia Siniard, Parker Smith, Nick Parlier, Riley Lane, Eli Carswell, Libby Bliss, Clair Bliss, Bryant Aarrowood, Madi Grady, Heather Holleman  Mentors Pictured: Mary Siniard, Andy Smith, Sherrie Miller, Braxton Ervin, Robby Smith, Greg Klapp, Debbie Vance, Eddy Bunton Those not pictured Mentors: Ethan Cromer, Tracey Heap Students: Bailey Heap, Dakota Yount, Kyleigh Lane, Jonas West, Liam Marshall We are excited to celebrate the first round of graduates from CRBA’s Timothy Project 1.0, pictured above. This past year has been a tremendous journey as these students explored what it means to be called into vocational ministry and faithfully followed God’s leading on their lives. Each student was paired with a mentor who invested deeply in them through prayer, encouragement, and hands-on ministry experience. We are incredibly grateful for these mentors who poured into the next generation of leaders and helped equip them for a lifetime of service to Christ and His Church. This first year of the Timothy Project has been a great blessing, and we thank everyone—students, mentors, churches, and supporters who made it possible. If you are a high school or college student sensing God’s call into vocational ministry, we invite you to prayerfully consider joining Timothy Project 2.0, beginning in January. To sign up or learn more, please contact the CRBA office. Upcoming Opportunities  Spruce Pine Mission Trip  We hope you will make plans to help with Hurricane Helene Rebuild during March 12-14 2026. This will be a 2 night trip to the Spruce Pine Rebuild Center where we can minister as an Associaiton to those effected by Hurricane Helene. Resources of the Week  Your CRBA has a patio heaters available for your ministry needs. If you would like to reserve any CRBA resource just call (828) 437-0137. Church News High Peak- High Peak has approximately 50 weeks worth of Cathedral Art Folders bulletins (about 100 per week) that we would love to give away. These bulletins feature beautiful artwork on the front, and some are designed specifically for weddings or other special occasions. If your church can make use of them, please let us know! Hopewell-  Mull’s Grove- Has 4 extra tickets for the VBS Lifeway Preview Event. If you are interested in purchasing those please call Yulita at 828-437-3379 Tues – Thurs. Ridgecrest VBS PreviewTwo-day event: January 30–31, 2026Ridgecrest Conference Center1 Ridgecrest Dr, Black Mountain, NC 28711Ticket price includes event only.$80 – GROUP (4+) + tax Total for Set of 4 tickets $342 Partner News The Call Conference Don’t miss your chance to lock in the $70 early bird rate for the Call Conference! Registration increases to $95 after today! (We extended the deadline just for you!) CallCon invites college students and young adults to evaluate what they’re living for, consider the eternal cost and reward, and step into the joy of fully following Christ. Join us as we worship, learn and commit together to living on mission. REGISTER NOW Collection for DSS One member of our Association is organizing a collection of items for DSS children entering into care. If you would like to participate you may bring any of the items to the CRBA by Jan. 31, 2026 • Socks in multiple different sizes (both male and female) • Underwear in multiple different sizes (both male and female) • Hairbrushes • Pajamas in multiple different sizes (both male and female) • Baby bottles with different flow nipples • Pack and Play crib sheets • Queen size sheets for the office bed |
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