| In this issue: Pastor’s Appreciation Month Thank you to Giving Churches Let’s Celebrate Women’s Breakfast October Events Baking for Babies A Big Day for CRBA- Oct. 19th Save The Date Youth and Kid’s Volunteer Training-Nov. 8th Resource of the Week Church News Partner News |
| Pastor Appreciation Month: Ways to Show You Care October is Pastor Appreciation Month—a special time to encourage and bless the shepherds God has placed in our churches. Here are practical and meaningful ways to show your pastors and their families how much they are loved and appreciated. Heartfelt Notes & Encouragement A Special Note: Write a personal letter or card sharing how your pastor has ministered to you or your family. Prayer Cards: Collect prayers from church members in a notebook or jar for your pastor to read anytime. Children’s Artwork or Letters: Kids can create drawings or notes expressing their thanks. Practical & Thoughtful Gifts Meal Train: Organize home-cooked meals, especially during busy ministry seasons. mealtrain.com Grocery or Gas Cards: Practical gifts are always appreciated. Include a personal note to make it extra special. Signature Item: Something your pastor loves—ties, fun socks, coffee, or favorite treats. Favorite Treat Basket: Collect snacks, drinks, or goodies your pastor enjoys. Experiences & Time Together Date Night: Concert tickets or a gift card for a restaurant, plus childcare if needed. Mini-Vacation: Weekend getaway including lodging, gas, and spending money. Check pastor-friendly conference centers: Caraway’s Powell House – $33 per night Ridgecrest Conference Center – discounted pastor rates Audible Membership: Great for pastors who like books or need something to listen to while commuting. Acts of Service Yard Work Help: Organize youth or volunteers to mow lawns, rake leaves, or shovel snow. Volunteer to Serve: Help with church tasks like bulletins, decorations, or event prep—lightening the pastor’s load. Community & Celebration Ideas Church-Wide Appreciation Sunday: Share testimonies, songs, or a video highlighting the pastor’s impact. Video Messages: Ask members to record short messages of thanks; compile them into a memorable video. Social Media Shout-Outs: Encourage members to post words of encouragement online. DIY Appreciation Jar: Fill a jar with little notes of encouragement, Bible verses, or quotes from members for your pastor to read whenever they need a boost. Tip: Even small gestures—cards, notes, or a kind word—can mean the world to your pastor. Let’s make this month a celebration of the faithful service and love our pastors pour into our churches! Thank you to these Churches who have given in 2025(As of Oct. 2, 2025) Abees Grove First Baptist Connelly Springs MountainView #2 Amherst First Baptist Drexel Mull’s Grove Antioch First Baptist Glen Alpine North Morganton Asheville Street First Baptist Icard Oak Grove Bended Knee Cowboy Church First Baptist Morganton Oak Ridge Bridge 42 First Baptist Rutherford College Pleasant Hill Brookwood First Baptist Valdese Pleasant Ridge Brown Mountain First Hmong PleasantView Burkemont Friendship River of Life Catawba Valley Grace Set Free Christian Fellowship Community of Drexel High Peak Silver Creek Congregation Beth Shiloh Hopewell Solid Rock Cornerstone Icard’s Grove Summit Cross Memorial Trinity Drexel Memorial Lake James Community United East Valdese Lakeview Walker Road El Bethel Missionary Ridge Wilkies Grove Enon Mount Calvary Zion Faith Missionary Mount Home Let’s Celebrate Women’s Ministry Breakfast a Wonderful Success!  This past Saturday, our CRBA Women’s Ministry led a wonderful morning of fellowship, worship, and encouragement at Mount Home Baptist Church for the women and girls from our CRBA churches. We are thrilled to report that 85 women from more than 15 churches across our Association came together to share in this special time. A heartfelt thank you to Mount Home Baptist for being such gracious hosts and for providing a warm, welcoming atmosphere. A special thanks to Jeff Buchanan and his team from Zion Baptist for preparing and serving the delicious breakfast—one of the many highlights of the morning! We also extend our gratitude to our speakers, SarAnn Suttles and Maddie Grady, for their inspiring testimonies, which challenged and encouraged all who attended. Lastly, we are truly grateful to former IMB missionary (and wife of Pastor Jack Hodges) Shawn Hodges for sharing her heart and experiences from the mission field. It was truly inspiring to learn how God used and protected them on the mission field. God truly blessed this event, and we are thankful for all He is doing through the women of our churches as they serve, grow, and reach others for Christ. To God be the glory for such a meaningful and uplifting morning together! Upcoming Events Youth Momentum Rally and Tailgate  Please call or email with the estimated number of students you will be bringing so we can begin to make plans for the pizza order. (828) 437-0137 admin@crbanc.org Annual Church Profile  The ACP survey form for 2025 will open Jan. 1, 2026. The reporting period will be Jan. 1 2025- Dec. 30, 2025. You can find more information at this website. Baking for Babies  A Big Day for CRBA – Sunday, October 19th!     October 19th will be a full and exciting day for our CRBA family, and we don’t want you to miss any of it!4:30 PM – Annual CRBA Business Meeting (Burkemont Gym) Pastors and messengers will share a meal together and conduct our annual business. Please call in your messengers to CRBA as soon as possible. 4:30 PM – Joint CRBA Choir Rehearsal (Burkemont Sanctuary) The choir will practice at the same time as the business meeting. Choir members will not eat the meal but will have a light snack. Because these overlap, we ask that churches avoid assigning messengers who are also choir members. 6:00 PM – Joint Celebration Worship (Burkemont Sanctuary) All CRBA churches are encouraged to move their Sunday evening service to Burkemont for this special night of worship. The CRBA Joint Choir will lead us in song, and Dr. Terry Long will bring the message. Coats for the City- All Coat Collections will be gathered at Burkemont to sort and send to NY. Following Worship – Mission Fair & Ice Cream Fellowship (Burkemont) After service, enjoy time together at the Mission Fair and over ice cream! 5:00–7:00 PM – Momentum Youth Rally (Mt. Home) Our youth will gather separately at Mt. Home for their rally with Dr. Scott Pace as guest speaker. Mark your calendars and plan to be part of this exciting day of worship, fellowship, and ministry! Save the Date Conference-level Training offered FREE   This training offers conference level information paid for by your CRBA! Don’t miss out on an opportunity to provide your volunteer workers with training. Resource of the Week  Your CRBA has a couple of chainsaws available for your ministry needs. If you would like to reserve a resource for your church please call us at (828) 437-0137. Church News Burkemont – is seeking to hire a Part-Time Office Assistant. To see description please see all our staff openings in CRBA churches here. Pleasant Hill – Open Hearts Open Hands Ministry is having a Yard Sale and BBQ on Oct. 11th    Partner News Pregnancy Care Center is hosting Burke County Day for Life Annual Fundraiser on Sat. Oct. 18 from 10am-2pm at Burkemont Bapitst Church. |
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