| We have updated the format of our newsletter to better organize the information. If you have any questions about any activities or ministries, please feel free to contact our CRBA Office at (828)437-0137 | |
 | From the Desk of your AMS First official week of Dr. Michael Hodge, AMS Let’s Celebrate Crew Chief Ramp Build Upcoming Opportunities Underwear and Sock Drive 5 FREE Community Block Parties VBS at CRBA Churches CRBA Calendar and Future Events Resource of the Week Portable Sound System Church & Ministry Partner News |
  Photos from May 31. Pleasant Hill Baptist Church – Honoring Jack and Shawn Hodges for their 9th Anniversary at PHBC. Afternoon Softball Game with Mulls Grove Baptist Church. Evening Service at Grace Baptist Church with Marty Bess. | From the Desk of your AMS (Associational Mission Strategist) June 3, 2026 Building Together for What God Has AheadHebrews 3:4, “…every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.” Throughout Scripture, we are reminded that God is always at work among His people. From generation to generation, the Lord continues building His church, strengthening His people, and drawing others to Himself. What a privilege it is to join together in that ongoing work! Whether you attended the special called meeting of the CRBA on May 5, 2026, or have seen the newsletter and social media announcements, I now have the privilege of introducing myself as your new Associational Mission Strategist (AMS). Amanda and I are grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside the churches and people of the Catawba River Baptist Association as we strive to continue working together to reach Burke County and beyond with the Gospel. We have already enjoyed worshiping with our friends at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and Grace Baptist Church. We have also enjoyed meeting so many of you throughout our first week here in Burke County – what a blessing! This weekend, we will travel to the Southern Baptist Conference for Associational Leaders in Orlando, Fl. This is an opportunity for us to hear from leaders in the ministry and network with other association leaders. Pray for our safety and for us to glean what God has for us at CRBA. We are thankful for the strong foundation already present throughout the CRBA and look forward to building relationships with pastors, leaders, and church members in the days ahead. From an exciting kickoff week of BurkeChangers to the many summer ministry opportunities taking place across our churches, we are eager to come alongside you in the shared mission of making disciples. Please let us know how we can help you in your church and context! Thank you for allowing us to partner with you in this Kingdom work. We are excited about what God will continue to do through all of us in the CRBA. Michael R. Hodge ams@crbanc.org |
| Quote of the Week “At the core of our theology is the unchanging mission of God to reach the world with the gospel of Christ. This mission undergirds everything we do in ministry. It is the overarching plan that governs and dictates all other programs and ministries in the church. We must maintain a focused, shared missional purpose, determined by our theology, which serves as the basis for all decisions made within the church.” Glenn Daman. The God of Small Places: A Rural Church Institute Resource (p. 25). Kindle Edition. February 2026 | |
 | The church grows stronger when its pastors grow stronger together. Ministry is a marathon. Even shepherds need a place to rest and refuel. Join us on Thursday, June 4 for our Pastor’s Luncheon – 12noon at the CRBA. Speaker on June 4: Darren Browning. |
| Let’s Celebrate | ||
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| Crew Chief Ramp Build What a wonderful day of service and preparation! Fifteen dedicated men recently came together to build a handicap ramp while also training to serve as Crew Chiefs for the upcoming Burke Changers mission week. The ramp recipient and her family were deeply grateful for this act of kindness. Her son shared how thankful he was that his mother will now be able to enter and leave her home more safely and easily. This simple project made a meaningful difference in their daily lives and demonstrated the love of Christ in a tangible way. As they completed the project, our Crew Chiefs were also preparing for the week ahead. They are excited to share their skills and experience with the students they will lead during Burke Changers. Next week, youth and adult volunteers from across Burke County will work together to build 18 handicap ramps while sharing the hope and love of Jesus with homeowners throughout our community. Thank you to everyone who serves, gives, and prays for this ministry. Please continue to pray for our Crew Chiefs, students, adult leaders, and homeowners as we seek to be the hands and feet of Christ in Burke County. | ||
| Prayer Opportunities Please be in prayer for these CRBA Churches of the Week: Icard’s Grove Baptist Church (Pastor Lee Joyner) Lake James Community Church (Pastor Billy Bollinger) Lakeview Baptist Church (Pastor Kenny Baker) Mission Church (Pastor Billy Glosson) Missionary Ridge Baptist Church (Pastor Darren Browning) Churches Without Senior Pastors Bethlehem FBC ConnellySprings FBC Morganton Catawba Valley Silver Creek CRBA Churches Seeking Staff If you would like to see a list of the staff openings in our CRBA churches, please visit our website here. Please be in prayer for all our CRBA churches that are seeking to fill staff vacancies. CRBA Resource of the Week  Your CRBA has a portable sound system 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. |  June & July 2026 OpportunitiesUnderwear and Sock CollectionThroughout the months of June and July the CRBA Women’s Mission Team is encouraging churches to collect new underwear and socks for their mission trip to Ducktown TN. They will be serving at Copper Basin Crisis Center to pass these much needed items out to men, women and children. It is that time of year again where our CRBA Youth are headed to our local mission field. Please be in prayer for everyone serving at Burke Changers June 7-10. If you want to join BurkeChangers by attending a block party and helping have gospel conversations with all attendees, we would love you to plan to attend one of the 5 FREE Block parties that will be happening on June 9th. Please be in prayer for many from the community to come out and hear the gospel presentation before each bike drawing.  | |
| Vacation Bible School | |
High Peak- invites you to attend their VBS on May 31 – June 4 from 5:30 – 8:30Ages birth to adultSupper served each night. | Antioch- June 6th 10-2pm |
Oak Ridge– Jun. 7-10 | Grace – June 14-18 |
| | Burkemont– July 5-9 |
Hopewell– July 12-16 | Zion– July 12-15 |
First Baptist Morganton- June 22-25
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| CRBA CalendarTo see more opportunities of the CRBA, please check out our Google Calendar Upcoming Calendar Events: June Underwear and Sock Collection all month 7-10- Burke Changers July Underwear and Sock Collection all month August Christmas in August Toy Drive all month 7-8- Women and girls mission trip to Ducktown TN 10- Men’s Rally @ Burkemont 6PM 16- Praise and Prayer on the Square | September 13- Timothy Project 15- Senior Adult Lunch 19- Golf Tournament 19- Women’s Breakfast 22- From Our Seats to the Streets 23- SYATP Youth Rally 26- Youth and Children’s Volunteer Training 30- Oct. 8- Armenia Mission Trip | October 2- Tractor Show 5&6- Toy Store Registration 8- Timothy Project 18- Fall Meeting @ Mt. Home 18- Momentum Youth Rally @ Burkemont November 8- Timothy Project 9- Men’s Rally @ Grace 21- Marriage Conference with Gary Chapman December 3-6- Coats for City Trip to NYC 7-10- Toy Store |
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| Church News Mount Home- Click image for more detailsPartner NewsMissionary Care Training .jpg) Tim Bentley along with some other colleagues will be doing a training in conjunction with NC state convention in August. They would love to see WMU/mission leaders and pastors at this meeting. REGISTER HERE Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Cost: $10/person N.C. Baptist churches currently have over 500 adults serving as missionaries around the world. Join us for a one-day training as we learn best practices for caring for those we send. You will have the opportunity to hear from both church leaders and missionaries. |
| Catawba River Baptist Association 1812 US HWY 70 East Morganton, NC 28655 | Contact Us: (828) 437-0137 | Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 8:30am – 4:30pm Closed from 12:00-1:00pm |
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